The Minister for w88 register and Construction, Hon Chris Penk, has announced a proposal for further reform of the w88 register and construction sector. The Government will look at developing a new opt-in self-certification scheme for trusted w88 register professionals and accredited businesses carrying out low-risk w88 register work.
Self-certification for builders is just a proposal at this stage. Until new legislation is implemented, only electricians and gasfitters can self-certify.
People in the industry have wanted this for many years, and they will soon be able to have their say. Under the proposal, w88 register professionals, such as builders, plumbers and drainlayers, will be able to self-certify their own work for low-risk builds without needing 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 w88 register work
Trusted w88 register professionals able to self-certify
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.
The following is reproduced from the w88 register Performance website www.w88 registergovt.nz:
The Government has agreed to progress work on developing a new opt-in self-certification scheme for low-risk residential w88 register work done by qualified w88 register professionals and accredited w88 register companies.
Options for a new opt-in self-certification scheme are part of the Government’s wider programme to streamline our w88 register 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 w88 register Consent Authorities (BCAs) for qualified w88 register professionals and accredited w88 register companies carrying out low-risk residential w88 register 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 w88 register 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 w88 register Regulatory System undergo a thorough process, including consultation, before any updates or new legislation is implemented.
This allows feedback to be provided in shaping any changes to w88 register regulations and ensures all perspectives are considered before making any decisions to progress with proposed changes.