Principal Designer (Building Regulations)
A statutory role under the Building Safety Act 2022
The appointment of a Principal Designer (Building Regulations) is now a legal requirement for most construction projects requiring Building Regulations approval.
This role should be established early in the project, typically before progressing into technical design or engaging with contractors to ensure compliance is properly coordinated from the outset.
Your Responsibilities
Under the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023, the client is required to appoint:
Principal Designer (Building Regulations) (PD-BR)
Principal Contractor (Building Regulations) (PC-BR)
These roles sit alongside the existing duties under the CDM Regulations 2015.
In simple terms, your project now has two parallel design responsibilities:
CDM Principal Designer – responsible for health and safety during design and construction
Principal Designer (Building Regulations) – responsible for ensuring the design complies with Building Regulations
What Does the Principal Designer (Building Regulations) Do?
The PD-BR is responsible for planning, managing and monitoring the design process to ensure compliance with all relevant Building Regulations.
This includes:
Coordinating the design team
Reviewing technical information
Ensuring regulatory compliance is embedded throughout the design
At completion, the PD-BR must issue a formal declaration confirming that:
“To the best of their knowledge, the design complies with Building Regulations.”
This is a legal declaration, and the role carries a defined duty of competence, typically aligned with PAS 8671.
What This Means for Your Project
It is essential that a competent and properly appointed party undertakes this role before progressing into detailed design.
For most residential developments:
The role is typically undertaken by the architect leading the technical design, or
Assigned to another suitably qualified professional with the capacity to coordinate the full design team
Fragmenting this responsibility can introduce risk, particularly where the design is evolving or being delivered by multiple parties.
What You Need to Do
To proceed correctly, you should:
Confirm who will act as Principal Designer (Building Regulations)
Ensure they are formally appointed
Confirm they are able to coordinate all aspects of the technical design
Avoid splitting responsibility across multiple parties without clear leadership
Maintaining continuity between design and delivery is key to achieving a well-coordinated, compliant and buildable project.
How We Support You
At MSK Design, we typically undertake both:
Principal Designer (Building Regulations)
CDM Principal Designer
as part of our architectural and technical services.
This ensures:
Clear accountability
Consistent coordination
A streamlined route from design through to construction and completion
Need clarity on your Principal Designer obligations for your project?
If you are unsure about your responsibilities or need guidance on setting up your project correctly, we would be happy to advise.
FAQs
Do I need a Principal Designer for Building Regulations?
Yes. Under the Building Safety Act 2022, this is a legal requirement for projects requiring Building Regulations approval.
Can my architect act as Principal Designer?
Yes. In most residential projects, the architect leading the technical design is best placed to undertake this role.
What happens if I don’t appoint a Principal Designer?
Failure to appoint a competent PD-BR can lead to delays, compliance issues, and difficulties obtaining a completion certificate.
Is this the same as the CDM Principal Designer?
No. The CDM Principal Designer deals with health and safety, while the PD-BR focuses on compliance with Building Regulations.