diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/element.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/element.py
index c7821390df..48d65ae7ae 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/element.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/element.py
@@ -1169,6 +1169,25 @@ def get_groups(element: ifcopenshell.entity_instance) -> list[ifcopenshell.entit
     return groups
 
 
+def get_controls(element: ifcopenshell.entity_instance) -> Generator[ifcopenshell.entity_instance]:
+    """
+    Retrieves the controls of an element.
+
+    :param element: The IFC element
+    :return: Generator of IfcControl elements assigned to the element.
+
+    Example:
+
+    .. code:: python
+
+        task = file.by_type("IfcTask")[0]
+        control = ifcopenshell.util.element.get_controls(task)[0]
+    """
+    for rel in element.HasAssignments:
+        if rel.is_a("IfcRelAssignsToControl"):
+            yield rel.RelatingControl
+
+
 def get_parent(element: ifcopenshell.entity_instance) -> Union[ifcopenshell.entity_instance, None]:
     """Get the parent in the spatial heirarchy
 
diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/util/test_element.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/util/test_element.py
index b691620824..1a1e28d58b 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/util/test_element.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/util/test_element.py
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
 # along with IfcOpenShell.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+import ifcopenshell.api.control
+import ifcopenshell.api.cost
 import ifcopenshell.api.profile
 import pytest
 import test.bootstrap
@@ -926,6 +928,23 @@ class TestGetGroupsIFC2X3(test.bootstrap.IFC2X3, TestGetGroupsIFC4):
     pass
 
 
+class TestGetControls(test.bootstrap.IFC2X3):
+    def test_run(self):
+        model = self.file
+        element = ifcopenshell.api.root.create_entity(model, ifc_class="IfcWall")
+        control = ifcopenshell.api.cost.add_cost_schedule(model)
+        ifcopenshell.api.control.assign_control(model, related_objects=[element], relating_control=control)
+        assert list(subject.get_controls(element)) == [control]
+
+
+class TestGetControlsIFC4(test.bootstrap.IFC4, TestGetControls):
+    pass
+
+
+class TestGetControlsIFC4X3(test.bootstrap.IFC4X3, TestGetControls):
+    pass
+
+
 class TestGetAggregateIFC4(test.bootstrap.IFC4):
     def test_getting_the_containing_aggregate_of_a_subelement(self):
         element = ifcopenshell.api.root.create_entity(self.file, ifc_class="IfcWall")