In January 1972, the Building Research Establishment was formed by bringing together the Building Research Station, the Princes Risborough Laboratory, the Fire Research Station and the Scottish Laboratory. The Building Research Establishment was the main organisation in the UK carrying out research and development on building and construction and on the prevention and control of fire. The scope of the establishment's work was very broad and embraced background research into the behaviour of materials and structures, the performance of buildings in use and also the practical studies of construction methods. Problems were investigated as they arose and advice was made available on particular design and construction difficulties. Activities included disseminating and encouraging the application of the knowledge gained. In addition to its departmental work, it also undertook work for nationalised and private industries.

In 1982 the establishment was joined by the Civil Engineering Laboratory of the Property Services Agency which amalgamated with the Structural Integrity Division Building Research Establishment. In line with government policy, the Building Research Establishment formally became an executive agency in April 1990. Privatisation of the Building Research Establishment was announced in April 1996 and it was advertised for tender later that year. The Building Research Establishment management team was announced as the preferred purchaser in January 1997 and the privatisation was completed in March of that year.