Workplace Compliance Challenges in 2026 and How to Stay Ahead

As 2026 approaches, the landscape of workplace compliance is becoming more dynamic than ever. Facilities and Building Managers are navigating an environment shaped by evolving legislation, sustainability targets, technological change and an increased focus on health, safety, and wellbeing.

The year ahead will demand not just compliance, but adaptability - ensuring that maintenance, safety and operational strategies keep pace with new expectations and emerging risks.

At JCW, we work with organisations nationwide to keep workplaces safe, compliant and resilient. Drawing on our experience and the insights from our new JCW Workplace Compliance eBook 2026, we’ve identified the key compliance challenges set to define the coming year and the practical steps you can take to stay ahead.

1. Adapting to Evolving Standards and Maintenance Best Practice

Regulatory and technical standards continue to evolve, from updates to BS 7671 wiring regulations and new fire safety guidance, to ongoing refinements across the SFG20 maintenance framework.

SFG20 is now updated regularly to reflect changes in legislation, emerging technologies and modern risk-based approaches to maintenance. However, many organisations still rely on historic task libraries or fixed schedules that no longer reflect current best practice.

⚠️ Important: SFG20 is a live standard and regularly updated. Using outdated schedules or frequencies can leave maintenance plans misaligned with current legal and operational expectations.

Tip: Review your Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) strategy at least annually. Cross-check maintenance schedules and statutory tasks against the latest SFG20 guidance and ensure updates are captured within your CAFM or compliance management system.

2. Greater Accountability and Regulatory Transparency

With regulators placing increasing emphasis on duty holder accountability, the question of who is responsible will continue to dominate.

2026 is likely to bring tighter enforcement under the Building Safety Act and greater scrutiny from local authorities, particularly where responsibilities are shared between landlords, managing agents and tenants.

Tip: Ensure your “Responsible Person” under each regulation (e.g., fire safety, water hygiene, electrical safety) is clearly identified in your compliance documentation, with evidence of competence and audit trails to prove oversight.

3. Managing Compliance in a Hybrid and Intermittently Occupied World

Hybrid working is here to stay but reduced building occupancy has introduced new risks in water hygiene, ventilation and fire safety. Empty spaces and irregular use mean systems are more likely to stagnate, deteriorate or be overlooked.

Tip: Conduct fresh risk assessments for partially occupied areas. Flush little-used outlets weekly, monitor HVAC performance and verify that fire detection and emergency lighting are still operational in low-use zones.

4. Rising Focus on Indoor Air Quality and Employee Wellbeing

Air quality has transitioned from a “nice to have” to a legal and moral priority. HSE and CIBSE continue to update guidance on ventilation and CO₂ monitoring, and ESG reporting pressures are pushing businesses to demonstrate healthy building performance.

Tip: Implement an air quality monitoring programme and maintain clear records of filter changes, CO₂ readings and ventilation inspections. Healthy air isn’t just a compliance issue - it’s a wellbeing investment.

5. Sustainability, Energy Performance and Compliance Overlap

Environmental compliance is no longer separate from health and safety. With energy performance reporting, carbon reduction targets, and the likely introduction of stricter Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for commercial buildings, Facilities Managers will be under pressure to demonstrate both safety and sustainability performance.

Tip: Integrate environmental metrics into your compliance reviews. When planning maintenance or equipment replacement, choose solutions that meet both safety standards and energy efficiency benchmarks.

6. Digitalisation and Data Integrity

Digital compliance tools are becoming the norm but the challenge now lies in ensuring data accuracy and traceability. Incomplete digital records or unverified uploads can be just as risky as missing paper files.

Tip: Audit your compliance data regularly. Ensure inspection reports, certificates and photos are stored in a verifiable system and linked to specific assets. Automated reminders can help prevent missed renewals or overdue tests.

7. Resource Pressures and Skills Gaps

With many experienced engineers retiring and recruitment remaining tight, 2026 may see continued skills shortages across key compliance disciplines, from water hygiene to electrical testing. This shortage could affect both service quality and audit readiness.

Tip: Partner only with accredited providers and verify their competence under schemes such as Gas Safe, NICEIC or LCA. Consider cross-training your in-house teams to perform basic compliance checks between scheduled visits.

Preparing for What’s Next

Compliance is not static and in 2026, the pace of change may only accelerate.

The JCW Workplace Compliance eBook 2026 was designed to help Facilities and Building Managers anticipate these changes, simplify their responsibilities and maintain compliance with confidence.

Inside, you’ll find:

A breakdown of key statutory compliance requirements across air, gas, fire, water and electrical safety
Best-practice checklists for each compliance area
FAQs drawn from real workplace challenges
A 52-week compliance planner to help you stay organised throughout the year

Read our free guide here:

🔗 JCW Workplace Compliance eBook 2026

At JCW, we believe compliance isn’t just about meeting legal obligations - it’s about creating safer, healthier and more resilient workplaces for the future.

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