CIC clarifies competence requirement in Building Regulations

Article summary

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has issued clarification on the ‘general competence’ requirement for professional construction consultants demonstrating competence, in accordance with Part 2A of the Building Regulations etc (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023. Anyone engaged on any controlled building work must be competent to undertake the work for which they are appointed. Competence is project specific, and evidence of such competence could include relevant qualifications, professional registration with an appropriate body, and evidence of completion of a suitable health and safety test. Designers and principal designers presenting evidence of competence are not required to obtain a Certification Scheme for Construction Skills (CSCS) card to demonstrate their competence, nor do they require one to access a construction site. Furthermore, the award of such CSCS cards does not provide evidence of competence to act as a designer or principal designer.