The approval of the 2022 editions of Approved Document F, Volume 2 (Ventilation) and Approved Document L, Volume 2 (Conservation of Fuel and Power) took effect in Wales on 29 March 2023, under the Building (Amendment) (Wales) (No.2) Regulations 20221. The same date marks the withdrawal of approval of the documents they replace1. The amendment regulations were made on 26 September 2022; regulations 1 and 3 came into force on 22 November 2022, and regulations 2 and 4 on 29 March 20231.
The new documents apply only to buildings and building work in Wales1. Approved Document F, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings 2022 edition is approved in respect of Regulations 39, 44 and Schedule 1, Part F, and Approved Document L, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings 2022 edition in respect of Regulations 4, 6, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 26, 26A, 27, 28, 40, 40A, 43, 44, 44ZA and Schedule 1, Part L1. Both take effect on 29 March 20231.
Withdrawn on the same date are Approved Document L2A, 2014 edition (conservation of fuel and power in new buildings other than dwellings) and L2B, 2014 edition (existing buildings other than dwellings), along with all amendments to them, and Approved Document F, 2010 edition, in relation to guidance for new and existing buildings other than dwellings1.
The amendment regulations also change the way on-site electricity generation systems are regulated, and amend Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 2010 to specify that fixed building services must be energy efficient to a reasonable standard and to introduce requirements for the installation of on-site generation of electricity in relation to non-domestic buildings1.
"The approval takes effect on 29 March 2023 except in respect of work on individual buildings for which a building notice or initial notice has been given or full plans deposited before that date and provided work commences before 29 March 2024."
Transitional arrangements mean the regulations and new documents do not apply to building work on a particular building where a building notice or initial notice was given, or full plans deposited, before the regulations came into force, provided work on that building starts within 12 months of that date1. Where an application covers several buildings on a site, only those individual buildings for which work is commenced can use the transitional provisions, unless the application was submitted before 31 July 2014 and building work commenced before 31 July 20151.
| Document | Status from 29 March 2023 |
|---|---|
| Approved Document F, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2022 edition | Approved |
| Approved Document L, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2022 edition | Approved |
| Approved Document L2A, 2014 edition | Approval withdrawn |
| Approved Document L2B, 2014 edition | Approval withdrawn |
| Approved Document F, 2010 edition (buildings other than dwellings) | Approval withdrawn |
Why it matters for households
These documents govern non-domestic buildings, so the direct effect falls on commercial and other non-residential work rather than on homes. The change to how on-site electricity generation systems are regulated, and the new requirement for on-site electricity generation in relation to non-domestic buildings, sit alongside the energy efficiency standard for fixed building services1. For a household, the practical relevance is indirect: the Building Regulations in England: Approval, Inspection and Certificates and Building Regulations in Wales: Where Welsh Rules Differ set out how the two nations' regimes diverge, and anyone comparing the position across the UK can also read Scottish Building Standards and the Building Warrant System and Building Regulations in Northern Ireland and the Technical Booklets. The wider policy context is covered in Energy and Buildings Policy in Wales: What the Welsh Government Controls, and the regulation-policy hub collects the related material.
What happens next
The transitional window runs to 29 March 2024 for individual buildings where a notice was given or plans deposited before 29 March 2023, provided work commences before that date1. No further commencement dates beyond those in the circular have been reported.