Knowledge HubThe offsite sector has long navigated a fragmented landscape of guidance, best practice, and evolving terminology. PAS 8700:2025, a newly released Publicly Available Specification (PAS) from BSI, represents a step toward in methodology for the delivery of new-build housing through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
This PAS has been developed to provide a unified specification,
which is material and technology agnostic, and to act as a coordinating document that directs readers to other technical requirements. The aim is to support the procurement, design, manufacture, construction and use of safe, resilient and repairable residential buildings that use MMC– PAS 8700 Foreword
Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and shaped by industry stakeholders, PAS 8700 is not a mandatory requirement in Government funded projects. Instead, it provides a voluntary framework intended to support clarity, coordination and outcome-driven delivery across residential projects.
From early-stage design and procurement to manufacturing, assembly and handover, PAS 8700 outlines principles that may be useful to clients, developers, designers, manufacturers, and contractors alike. It also reinforces whole-lifecycle thinking in support of safety, sustainability and performance.
For those interested in exploring its contents, the Offsite Alliance has published an accessible FAQ guide—offering summary answers to common questions around scope, use and potential impact. Their guide can be found here.
The full specification is available to download free of charge via the BSI website. Registration is required, but there is no charge for the document.
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