Building Standards Certification
The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced the option of certifying design or the construction of building work as complying with the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. The certification system is based on the principle that suitably qualified and experienced building professionals and tradesmen can be responsible for ensuring that specified works comply with Building Regulations.
Certification is an optional procedure for the implementation of Building Regulations in Scotland, and is only relevant to works subject to the Building Warrant process. Certification is the statement by an Approved Certifier that specified aspects of a design proposal, or of completed construction, comply with the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
An Applicant for a Building Warrant or an Amendment to a Warrant may choose to include Certificates issued by Approved Certifiers of Design as part of the application process. On completion of the project, the Relevant Person (usually the building owner or developer) has the option to include Certificates by Approved Certifiers of Construction as part of the Completion Certificate Submission.
As these Certificates provide the Verifier with confirmation of compliance with current Building Regulations, the number of checks to be undertaken by the Verifier is greatly reduced. The benefits of Applicants using certification services include:
Certificate of Design
- A discount in Warrant fee(s) except in the case of an Amendment to Warrant where the estimated value of work does not exceed £5000.
- A reduction in the length of time required to process the Building Warrant.
Certificate of Construction
- A discount on the Warrant fee.
- A reduction in the length of time required to accept the Completion Certificate.
Further information relating to Building Standards Certification is available from the Building Standards Division – Certification Handbook and Certification Leaflet which can be accessed from the 'Related Sites' section of this page.
