On 20 August 2024, the Building and Construction Authority (“BCA“) launched a public consultation titled “Raising Competencies and Enhancing Safety in Our Building Control Regulatory Regime – Proposed Enhancements to Specialist Builders’ Licensing Scheme” (“Consultation Paper“). The Consultation Paper proposes to enhance the Builders’ Licensing Scheme (“BLS“) in relation to Specialist Builders (“SB“).
By way of background, the BLS was introduced in 2009 to ensure that builders have the necessary capabilities, including qualified personnel and sound financial health, to undertake building works safely. Under the BLS, SB licences are required for builders undertaking six types of specialist building works, namely (i) piling works; (ii) ground support and stabilisation works; (iii) instrumentation and monitoring works; (iv) structural steelwork; (v) precast concrete work; and (vi) in-situ post-tensioning work.
As the building industry evolves, complex building works that involve a high proportion of specialist building works have arisen. Such works have a high impact on public safety and demand a greater level of expertise and resources. It is therefore crucial that the builders – and sub-contractors – involved are competent. Second, some specialist building works are carried out overseas (e.g. fabrication of concrete precast structural elements and structural steelwork). It is imperative to ensure that such structural elements meet the required standards and accreditation requirements and are in accordance with approved plans.
Accordingly, the key proposals under the Consultation Paper include:
- Requiring licences for all SB sub-contractors. Sub-contractors of SBs responsible for carrying out specialist building works will be required to hold SB licences. The list and scope of such works are set out in Annex B of the Consultation Paper.
- Importantly, the above does not apply to suppliers providing labour, material and/or equipment for the SB. Such activities do not fall under the definition of specialist building works.
- Accreditation, certification requirements. As part of the new licensing requirement, SB licence applicants must be accredited or registered with a prescribed professional or technical body or organisation, with details set out in Annex C.
- Regulation of suppliers. Parties supplying structural pre-cast concrete and structural steelwork used in building works in Singapore must obtain these materials from a source that is accredited or registered with a prescribed professional or technical body or organisation.
The consultation will close at 9.00 am on 20 October 2024.
Click the following link for more information:
- REACH Public Consultation titled “Proposed Enhancements to the Builders’ Licensing Scheme for Specialist Builders” (available on the REACH website at www.reach.gov.sg)
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