The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has confirmed that the security white paper has slipped down the government's priority list. Facilities managers may remember that the white paper was first published for consultation in March 1999. A BSIA spokesperson told Facilities Management Legal Update that the proposals are not now expected to become law for a further 1 or 2 years.

The paper recommended greater regulation of the security industries, and in particular a register of inspected companies which meet the required standards. The regulations would apply to a variety of job roles including door supervisors, retail security guards, and burglar alarm and CCTV installation and maintenance. An Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) would be developed which would apply to contracted and in house staff alike. The regulations will be good news for premises managers in ensuring that security is professionally managed. They will provide the means for more informed choices about security matters and should help to identify liability in cases where security operators have not been properly vetted by their security firms.

Parliamentary time has not yet been secured to finally bring the recommendations into law, but the BSIA are hopeful to get it mentioned in this year's Queen's speech.