17 May 2024

Reading time: 2 minutes

In a recent press release, the UK government has announced new legislation aimed at addressing safety, privacy, and dignity concerns regarding gender neutral toilets in non-domestic buildings.

The move comes in response to feedback from a consultation, where a significant majority expressed support for separate single-sex toilet facilities and universal toilets where space permits.

Percentage chart for single-sex and universal toilets support

Read the full press release here: Government to lay new law to halt the march of gender-neutral toilets in buildings

Toilets at a commercial building

Do you have to have separate male and female toilets now?

Yes, as per the UK building requirements, new non-domestic buildings and places undertaking major washroom refurbishment will be mandated to provide separate toilets for men and women.

Additionally, private self contained universal toilets may be included where space allows or substituted for separate male and female toilets where space constraints exist.

These changes will affect England only.

Central House building with a Dolphin washroom

Which new non-domestic buildings and spaces are affected?

Providing separate male and female toilets will become the default for the following new non-domestic buildings and places with major refurbishments planned:

  • Offices
  • Restaurants
  • Shopping centres
  • Public toilets

It is encouraged to provide private self contained universal toilets in addition to separate male and female toilets, but if space is limited, then universal toilets are sufficient.

Are there exemptions to the new building regulations?

The new UK building regulations requirement does not apply to:

  • Residential homes
  • En suite facilities in individual rooms for residential purposes
  • Residential rooms in care homes
  • Premises used wholly or mainly for early years provision
  • Cellular accommodation in custodial facilities
  • Schools

However, the Department for Education has emphasised that schools must adhere to certain minimum standards, which include providing separate toilets for boys and girls who are 8 years old or older.

Although colleges are not legally required to do the same, they should adopt a similar approach due to the same safeguarding concerns that apply.

Self contained toilet known as Superloo

What is a self contained toilet?

In Part T of the Building Regulations 2010 and Approved Document T, the term universal toilets is used to refer to private self contained toilets. In the world of commercial washroom design, this is also known as a superloo.

Keep your commercial washroom design compliant

Dolphin Solutions is always up-to-date with the latest washroom regulations and readily available to answer any questions you may have.

If you need help to ensure your washroom facilities are compliant or would like to know more about how to design suitable universal toilets, reach out to one of our washroom consultants today.

I’D LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SUPERLOOS AND WASHROOM DESIGN