Scottish Building Standards Certification
Certification is based on the principle that
suitably qualified and experienced building professionals and tradesmen
accept responsibility for ensuring compliance with building regulations
without the need for detailed scrutiny of design or inspections by
verifiers. Building Standards Certification is only applicable when the
work is being done under a building warrant.
Certification Schemes are helping raise standards throughout the
industry as work carried out by Approved Certifiers must be to a high
standard and must comply with building regulations.
The Scottish Government Building Standards Division manages the
Certification Register – the only authoritative source to find approved
bodies and approved certifiers. This database is used by clients and
local authorities and successful applicants to this scheme will appear
on this register.
How to apply
To become an Approved Certifier an individual must belong to an
approved scheme and meet rigorous standards agreed with the Scottish
Government Building Standards Division (BSD). They must also be able to
demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of building
regulations.
SELECT was the first Scheme Provider for the Certification of
Construction (Electrical Installations to BS 7671) Scheme and is able to
register both Approved Bodies and Approved Certifiers of Construction.
You don’t need to be a member of a trade association to join the
Building Standards Scheme but the annual registration fee (£350 + VAT)
for Approved Bodies is waived for SELECT Members.
Contact the Certification Scheme Administrator (Mary McSporran) at
SELECT if you’re interested in joining the scheme or would like more
information.
Tel: 0131 445 5577
Email: [email protected]
Further information
Scottish Building Standards Certification website:
www.sbsc.uk.net
Building Standards Section on the Scottish Government’s website:
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards
Register of Approved Bodies:
www.certificationregister.co.uk
Benefits
Certification of work is optional but there are benefits including
reduced fees and faster acceptance of completion certificates by local
authorities.
- Quicker acceptance of completion certificates by local authorities. Certified installations are not inspected at completion.
- Approved Certifiers can display the the Scottish Government Approved Certifier logo.
- A discount on the building warrant application fee is given if the
local authority is notified of the intended use of an Approved Certifier
of Construction and a Certificate of Construction is submitted with the
completion certificate.
- Approved Certifiers are able to provide a quality service, and ensure compliance of work with building regulations.
- Approved Bodies hold adequate insurance cover for any project to be certified.
- Members of a certification scheme have their work audited by the scheme provider.
- Construction professionals and trades-people must have met high
levels of qualifications and experience necessary to be accepted into
certification schemes.
- The skills and experience of construction professionals and trades-people are recognised.