Competent Persons Scheme
Background
Competent person schemes were introduced by the Government to
allow individuals and enterprises to self-certify that their work
complies with the Building Regulations as an alternative to
submitting a building notice or using an approved inspector.
The principles of self-certification are based on giving people
who are competent in their field the ability to self-certify that
their work complies with the Building Regulations without the need
to submit a building notice and thus incurring local authority
inspections or fees. It is hoped that moving towards
self-certification will significantly enhance compliance with the
requirements of the Building Regulations, reduce costs for firms
joining recognised schemes, and promote training and competence
within the industry. It should also help tackle the problem of
'cowboy builders', and assist local authorities with enforcement of
the Building Regulations.
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
'Gas Safe Register'. 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), Building
(Amendment) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/466) 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.
Contacts table
The competent person schemes currently authorised as at 1
October 2010 are as follows:
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