Planning, building and the environment

What are the competent persons self-certification schemes?

The 1999 consultation, "Taking forward self-certification under the Building Regulations"

In October 1997, the then Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, issued proposals for reducing the administrative burden of the Building Regulations by allowing self-certification of compliance by enterprises and individuals judged as competent. There followed a lengthy process of consultation including a further consultation document during the course of which Government asked building industry representatives, consumer associations and other interested parties for their opinions of the proposed competent persons schemes. The consultation showed general support for the proposals for schemes in sectors where the health and safety risk to people was low.

Why were the competent persons schemes introduced?

The rationale behind the schemes is to authorise, on the basis of risk to health and safety, schemes whose members are adjudged sufficiently competent in their work to self-certify that their work has been carried out in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Building Regulations.

The schemes offer benefits to both consumers and industry. Consumers will benefit from lower prices as building control fees are not payable. They also benefit from reduced delays and from the ability to identify competent firms. Firms who join these schemes will avoid the time and expense of submitting a building notice. The schemes will also allow local authority building control departments to concentrate their resources on the areas of highest risk.

How does a company or individual become a scheme member?

Membership of these schemes is not compulsory, apart from the CORGI scheme (see below). Businesses carrying out work covered by the Building Regulations may choose to join the schemes if they judge membership to be beneficial. Alternatively they may choose to continue to use local authority Building Control or to employ a private sector Approved Inspector.

If a company or individual chooses to join a competent persons scheme, they are first vetted to ensure they meet the conditions of membership, including appropriate and relevant levels of competence. If they meet these conditions they are classified as 'competent persons'. The work of organisations or individuals accepted as members of a scheme is not subject to Building Control inspection. Instead, the competent person self-certifies that the work is in compliance with the Building Regulations. They issue a certificate to the consumer to this effect. In some schemes they then report the work to the scheme organisers who in turn inform the local authority that work has taken place.

What legislation sets up the schemes?

The powers used to set up schemes are in Schedule 1, para 4(a) of the Building Act 1984. The current schemes have been set up under the Building Regulations 2000 (SI 2531/2000) as amended by the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (SI 3335/2001) and the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (SI 440/2002) using powers in Schedule 1, para 4(a) of the Building Act 1984.

Do these schemes overlap with other construction industry initiatives?

The schemes are designed to recognise and be compatible with other industry schemes that have comparable competence standards, such as TrustMark (external link) and Constructionline (external link). Competence is judged according to qualifications and experience taking account of relevant British and European standards.