Transforming Construction: BOPAS Partners and Industry Leaders Embark on the Journey to Next‑Generation IC Compliance

A major industry-wide effort is now underway to modernise how innovative construction methods are defined, assessed, and assured. Led by LRQA and supported by organisations including RICS, Build Offsite (BOS) Lloyds Banking Group, CIRIA, Homes England, Building Society Association (BSA), Ottersbrook Consulting, manufacturers and several other leading UK stakeholders (see list at bottom of post), the initiative aims to move the sector beyond outdated “Modern Methods of Construction” (MMC) terminology and toward a clearer, manufacturing‑aligned model of Industrialised Construction (IC).

The shift is being driven through a series of workshops hosted at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in London. These sessions bring together senior leaders, finance organisations, technical experts, and policy advisers to establish a shared definition of Industrialised Construction and to design an assurance and compliance model capable of supporting large‑scale, high‑quality delivery across the UK. A process very much support at the House of Lords MMC Inquiry and following debate, which all started in January 2024.

Why Change Is Needed

Stakeholders across the construction ecosystem have acknowledged that the term MMC has become fragmented, inconsistent, and often misunderstood. Different interpretations among manufacturers, clients, warranty providers and government have led to confusion, hindered investment, and slowed the adoption of innovative building systems.

At the same time, the market is facing challenges including reduced contractor profitability, shortages of skilled project leaders, and obstacles within existing warranty and regulatory pathways. Against this backdrop, the industry has agreed that the timing is right to establish a more coherent and future‑ready framework.

This topic is also getting greater attention at IC conferences, promoting collaborative engagement.

The Move to Industrialised Construction

Industrialised Construction represents a significant step forward. Rather than focusing on individual technologies or off‑site techniques, IC takes a whole‑system, manufacturing‑driven approach. Core principles include:

• Systemisation and repeatability

• Data‑driven quality assurance

• Platform‑based design and DfMA

• Interoperability across the supply chain

• Stronger alignment with modern manufacturing, regulation, and finance

This more robust framework is being designed to help the sector scale safely, build consumer confidence, and support government ambitions for productivity, sustainability, and housing supply.

Role of the Workshops

The workshops underway are focused on four key outcomes:

1. Defining Industrialised Construction (from a compliance perspective) - Creating a shared, authoritative definition that can be used consistently across government, industry and assurance bodies.

2. Mapping the Transition Pathway - Establishing how the sector will evolve from current MMC practices into a stable IC‑based ecosystem.

3. Modernising Compliance and Assurance - Reviewing how BOPAS and related processes can evolve into a more collaborative, transparent, and digitally enabled IC assurance model.

4. Setting the Scope for a New IC Framework - Including digitisation, design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA), interoperability standards, platform construction systems, and future regulatory alignment.

   
   

Momentum and Next Steps

The February workshop concluded with strong consensus: the shift to Industrialised Construction is essential for the UK to unlock higher‑quality, more sustainable and more productive delivery models. Follow‑up sessions will take place over the coming months to refine the framework, agree next‑stage development, and begin shaping the new compliance and assurance regime. This collective industry effort marks one of the most significant steps (since the release of 3 significant documents that have since gathered dust on the shelf) toward a unified, modern, and scalable approach to construction innovation.

Current Workshop Industry Partners

LRQA, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Build Offsite (BOPAS), Lloyds Banking (Housing CIC), Ottersbrook Consulting, CIRIA, Homes England, Paul Morrell Consulting, Savills, Vista Insurance, Building Societies Association (BSA), Apply Structure, Stelling Properties, Hadley Group and BoostTA.

Media/Press enquiries - please contact pr@ottersbrook.com or terry.mundy@lrqa.com

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