The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced significant changes to how building safety and compliance are managed in England. One of the most misunderstood changes is the creation of the Building Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD) role. Many developers and architects are still unclear about what this role involves, when it is required, and who should take it on.

This article explains the BRPD role in clear terms and sets out what it means for your project.

The Building Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD) is a statutory dutyholder responsible for planning, managing and monitoring design work to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations. The role is distinct from the Principal Designer under the CDM Regulations. While CDM Principal Designer focuses on health and safety during construction, the BRPD focuses on whether the design complies with Building Regulations if built as designed.

A BRPD is generally required on projects where building work is subject to Building Regulations and where more than one designer is involved. The client is responsible for ensuring appropriate dutyholders are appointed and that competence is in place.

The BRPD should be appointed early—ideally at RIBA Stage 1 or 2—so compliance risks can be identified before key design decisions are fixed. Early appointment reduces late design changes, approval delays, and uncertainty around evidence requirements.

When acting as BRPD, ABUK plans and coordinates compliance activity across the design team. We review design information against applicable Building Regulations, identify gaps early, and support the project team in producing clear, traceable compliance evidence. We also help establish robust information control and change management arrangements aligned with ‘golden thread’ expectations on compliance-led projects.

The BRPD role is now a legal requirement on many regulated projects and should be treated as an early-stage appointment, not an afterthought. If your project requires a BRPD, contact ABUK to discuss your requirements.