We are excited to announce that our annual Sustainability Report is now live. This report highlights RICS’ continued commitment to driving sustainability in both the built and natural environments. We invite you to explore the progress we have made, our ongoing initiatives, and the steps we are taking to create a more sustainable future.

Click to learn more about our journey and impact.  Sustainability Report – rics.org/news-insights/current-topics-campaigns/sustainability/sustainability-report-2024

From 18-22 November, we have been participating at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) as a UN-accredited observer organisation, to lead and influence critical discussions on sustainability.

At COP29, we are representing the profession and our members, highlighting the important role we all play in driving positive change. Along with this, a crucial goal for us is to strengthen our relationships with decision makers and government representatives, advocating the importance for global harmonisation of whole life carbon measurement. Read more about our participation at COP29 and discover our range of sustainability standards, guidance and insights.

Have you heard about the upcoming regulatory changes impacting fire extinguishers and class B firefighting foams across the UK?
These new requirements, coming into force in July, are part of the phase-out of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also known as “forever chemicals,” due to their long-term environmental harm. We know legislation changes are complex, so we’ve summarised everything for you in our free download

Free download | Latest changes to fire extinguishers and class B firefighting foams –

This update takes you through:•  The current situation – What “forever chemicals” are -Legislation to look at – Exemptions and deadlines – Chemicals linked to REACH – What you need to do

Sweden Health & Safety New Content – Managing health & safety or environmental responsibilities for your organisation’s international sites has its challenges, especially when it comes to keeping up with constantly evolving legislation and guidance across regions.

If you operate in Sweden, are you aware of the new legislation coming into force on 1st January 2025?

Design of Workplaces Regulations AFS 2023:12- Risks in Certain Types of Work Regulations AFS 2023:13

Systematic Work Environment Work – Basic Obligations of the Employer Regulations AFS 2023:1

Risks in the Work Environment Regulations AFS 2023:10

Musings on the Difference Between Professional Misconduct and Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct, and Higher-End Censure vs. Lower-End Censure in Building Practitioner Licensing Offences – lclawyers.com.au

This excerpt is drawn from Disciplinary Hearings and Advocacy, a book co-authored by Adjunct Professor Kim Lovegrove and barrister Sava Korica, and published by Hybrid Publishers. 

The book delves into the intricacies of professional discipline within the building industry, offering insights into the serious repercussions of censure for practitioners. With a focus on the distinction between professional misconduct and unsatisfactory conduct, as well as the varying levels of disciplinary action – from higher-end censure, which may involve suspension or license cancellation, to lower-end penalties such as fines and reprimands – this passage sheds light on the thresholds, consequences, and decision-making considerations that shape disciplinary hearings.

For building practitioners, understanding these distinctions is crucial in navigating the licensing landscape, where both reputation and livelihood are often on the line. The authors examine the significant standards by which misconduct is judged, including the objective seriousness of conduct, the impact on public safety, and the practitioner’s disposition in disciplinary hearings.

What Makes the IBQC So Important to Global Thought Leadership in the Development of Building Regulation? –  lclawyers.com.au

The question below, posed to an AI platform, received the following response – What Makes the IBQC So Important to Global Thought Leadership in the Development of Building Regulation?

1. Visionary Collaboration and International Expertise
   The International Building Quality Centre (IBQC) stands out for its unique coalition of global experts who are committed to advancing building regulation standards worldwide. With a Board that includes senior law reformers, leading regulatory experts, senior academics, and economists from both hemispheres, the IBQC brings diverse perspectives and solutions to the complex challenges of building regulation. This collaboration ensures that the IBQC’s guidelines are informed by a wide range of cultural, legal, and technical insights, positioning it as a true global leader.
2. Development of Contextualized Building Regulation Guidelines
   The IBQC’s guidelines emphasize adaptable and region-specific approaches to building regulation. They incorporate vernacular, engineered, and informal building solutions that are both practical and aspirational for emerging economies. This adaptability not only supports countries with limited resources but also guides them on how to improve their regulatory frameworks in realistic and achievable ways within their contexts.
3. Groundbreaking Work on Liability and Accountability – follow the link to follow the full response 3 – 14