The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced the option of certification for work requiring a building warrant. Certification is based on the principle that suitably qualified and experienced building professionals and tradesmen can be responsible for ensuring that specified works comply with the building regulations without the need for detailed scrutiny or inspections by verifiers.
Summary of key aims
The certification system is operated by the Scottish Government Building Standards Division (BSD) and is generally delivered through schemes approved by Scottish Ministers. However, in some instances where a scheme is not viable or the work is of a specialised nature it can be delivered by persons directly appointed by Scottish Ministers.
Applications for a scheme or to become a scheme provider or a directly appointed certifier are made to the BSD. All applications are checked and assessed and if judged viable are then considered for approval by Scottish Ministers.
Once a scheme has been approved by Scottish Ministers it will be delivered by an organisation or body known as a scheme provider. In some cases more than one scheme provider may be appointed to operate the same scheme.