Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has published new guidance exclusively for its members to help them understand the implications of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn’s Law, and what the legislation could mean for businesses operating within the door and hardware industry.
Martyn’s Law, which received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025 and is expected to come into force in the Spring of 2027, aims to improve public safety by requiring those responsible for qualifying premises and events to take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks and ensure they are prepared to respond should an incident occur.
As businesses and organisations begin preparing for the new legislation, DHF anticipates that its members may increasingly be approached by customers seeking additional security measures to meet their responsibilities.
However, the Tamworth-based trade association is emphasising the importance of ensuring that any new security arrangements do not compromise existing safety standards, particularly those relating to fire safety, emergency escape and product compliance.
The new guidance has been developed to help members understand how Martyn’s Law interacts with existing legislation and the considerations that must be taken into account when specifying, supplying, installing, modifying or maintaining products such as roller shutters, security shutters, powered gates, fire exit doors and security doors. The document also looks at potential conflicts between security requirements and established safety obligations, providing members with a framework for considering customer requests and identifying suitable solutions without overlooking their legal responsibilities.
“Martyn’s Law represents an important development in protecting the public, and we fully support its aim of making premises and events safer”, explains DHF’s Senior Training & Compliance Officer, Steve Hill. “However, it is essential that businesses understand how the new requirements fit with the safety legislation already in place. Our members may find themselves being asked to introduce additional security measures, but these must never come at the expense of fire safety or people's ability to escape safely in an emergency. A security solution that creates another safety risk is clearly not the right solution, and this is why we believed it was important to provide members with clear guidance."
To further support members, DHF will be hosting a free webinar on Wednesday 2nd December, focusing on Martyn’s Law and its potential implications for the door and hardware sector. The session will provide an opportunity to explore the legislation in more detail, consider the challenges businesses may face and better understand the responsibilities involved when responding to customer requirements.
“We want our members to feel confident when discussing Martyn’s Law with their customers and to understand where their responsibilities begin and end,” concludes Steve. “Our new guidance and upcoming webinar are designed to help them make informed decisions, ask the right questions and continue to put safety at the heart of everything they do. With the legislation expected to come into force in 2027, now is a good time for businesses to start familiarising themselves with what it could mean for them and their customers."
The new guidance document is available exclusively to DHF members. Download the guidance here: https://bit.ly/4BEBfiR
