29 April 2025 — New specification to build confidence in modern methods of construction (MMC) for residential developments, provide consistency on how projects can partially or wholly adopt MMC, as well as improve the efficiency, quality and sustainability of MMC solutions has been published by BSI.
Modern methods of construction for new build residential properties – Specification (PAS 8700:2025) is the first PAS to set out comprehensive requirements and processes for the deployment of MMC in residential building projects.
As the housing industry looks to adopt innovative building approaches to meet national demands, the first-of-its-kind standard, provides a unified framework for delivering safe, durable, and efficient new homes using MMC. It is intended to support all stakeholders — from designers and manufacturers to developers, lenders, insurers and regulators — in adopting consistent, best-practice approaches across the residential construction lifecycle.
PAS 8700:2025 is the first standard specifically designed to define the effective use of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and MMC in residential building projects, encompassing both entire building systems and individual elements. It provides provisions for the sector on the consistent application of MMC throughout all project phases — from design and manufacturing to assembly, maintenance, adaptation, and end-of-life considerations. The standard aligns with existing technical regulations and accreditation schemes, avoiding duplication and unifying fragmented practices into a clear, accessible specification.
The successful integration of DfMA and MMC in project delivery relies on timely engagement with knowledgeable stakeholders, selecting the right construction methods and materials, understanding system limits, and managing interfaces between pre-manufactured and on-site elements. This PAS highlights the importance of early-stage design and planning to reduce risks, standardize solutions, and engage the supply chain.
By adopting manufacturing principles and effectively deploying MMC, the aim is that projects can achieve benefits such as cost and timescale certainty, improved productivity, material efficiency, reduced labour, and overcoming skills shortages. Other advantages could include better quality control, faster delivery, reduced waste, enhanced health and safety, lower carbon footprint, sustainable use of materials, reduced energy and maintenance costs, improved thermal and acoustic performance, better indoor air quality, access to previously inaccessible sites, and increased recyclability, all driving innovation and systemic improvement.
The PAS was developed through collaboration between a diverse network of sector stakeholders and government bodies, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), Studio Partington, the Health and Safety Executive, BSR, the Association of British Insurers (ABI), and the Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS), among others. This broad coalition of experts from fields such as architecture, construction, fire safety, insurance, legal, and research organizations, such as RIBA, RICS, the National Fire Chiefs Council, and the University of Salford, aimed to create a comprehensive specification for the built environment, with a particular focus on offsite and modular construction.
Scott Steedman, Director - General, Standards at BSI, said “The built environment sector has a pivotal role to play in our future economy. Adopting modern methods of construction can help it to embrace innovation while ensuring safety, durability, and efficiency, ultimately transforming the way homes are built and maintained. This new specification provides a clear, unified framework for the adoption of MMC, which can help to accelerate the development of agile, resilient supply chains for the sector and the delivery of higher quality, new-build housing programmes across the UK."
For further information, visit: https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/modern-methods-of-construction-for-new-build-residential-properties-specification
