122: Exploring options for self-certification of building work

The industry has wanted this for many years and they will soon be able to have their say. Under the proposal, building professionals, such as builders, plumbers and drainlayers, will be able to self-certify their own work, for low risk builds, — without the need for inspection. You will need to think about what this will mean for you as an LBP. Read the Minister’s Cabinet paper and his public announcement of the proposal to see what is behind the proposal, and what needs to be done.

Cabinet paper:
Exploring options for self-certification of building work(external link) — Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Trusted building professionals able to self-certify(external link) — Beehive website

If people view the risks associated with self-certification as being too high, or the costs of establishing the scheme are prohibitive, the government could use the changes set out in the ‘granny flats’ proposal as a way of “testing” self-certification on a smaller scale with less risk involved.

As with any changes to the Building Regulatory System, there is a process including policy work and consultation prior to any updates or new legislation being implemented.

The following is reproduced from the Building Performance website.

Building performance website(external link)

The Government has agreed to progress work on developing a new opt-in self-certification scheme for low-risk residential building work done by qualified building professionals and accredited building companies.

Options for a new opt-in self-certification scheme are part of the Government’s wider programme to streamline our building system to make it faster and easier to build in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The new scheme will remove or reduce the third-party review role of Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) for qualified building professionals and accredited building companies carrying out low-risk residential building work. This would be done by:

• enabling a broad range of groups to be eligible to apply for participation in self-certification including individual practitioners and accredited companies such as volume builders
• requiring that participants in the scheme demonstrate an appropriate, specified level of competency and experience and be trustworthy
• limiting the type of work that can be self-certified to lower risk activities, for example work on a simple residential dwelling.  

The new self-certification scheme has the potential to reduce the load on BCAs, shift accountability to those who are doing the work, improve the efficiency of the building consent system, and reduce costs. 

MBIE will now proceed with detailed policy work and engagement with the sector to explore options for the design of a new self-certification scheme including:

• oversight and monitoring of the scheme
• the extent to which BCAs would be removed from the assurance process and the role of insurance
• developing a more detailed criteria for the regime and an assessment of costs and benefits.

All changes to the Building Regulatory System undergo a thorough process including consultation prior to any updates or new legislation being implemented. 

This gives the opportunity for feedback to be provided in shaping any changes to building regulations, and ensures we consider all perspectives before making any decisions to progress with proposed changes.  

Quiz:

1) Under current legislation, who are able to self-certify?

1. Builders
2. Electricians
3. Gasfitters
4. Plumbers and drainlayers
5. a) and d) only
6. b) and c) only 

2) What are some of the options that need to be explored for the design of the self-certification scheme?

1. The oversight and monitoring of the scheme
2. The extent to which BCAs would be removed from the assurance process and the role of insurance
3. Developing a more detailed criteria for the regime and an assessment of costs and benefits
4. All the above

3) Is an LBP able to self-certify their work now under this proposal?

1. No, the proposals have not been finalised or approved by government
2. Yes, electricians and gasfitters can self-certify, so I should be allowed to as well
3. Both the above