About theCompetent Person Scheme
TheCompetent Person Scheme was introduced by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to allow businesses and individuals to self-certify work that complies with the Building Regulations – as an alternative to submitting a building notice or incurring the fees of a local authority approved inspector.
The first of BESCA’s schemes, the Competent Person Scheme, authorised by DCLG in 2006 to allow self-certification of work requiring notification under Parts F, G, J and L of the Building Regulations. Authorisation for Part P & Microgeneration was added to this Competent Person Scheme in October 2010, and will be available shortly.
Operating in England and Wales, BESCA’sCompetent Person Scheme deals with the installation or modification of the following in both domestic and commercial:
- Heating
- Hot Water
- Ventilation
- Air conditioning and/or plumbing services
- Electrical Systems
- Microgeneration and renewable technologies
Scope of theCompetent Person Scheme
Any work that involves the provision or extension of the measures listed above in a domestic dwelling, or in a non-dwelling, is within the scope of this scheme. This applies whether the work is in a new or in an existing building.
This scheme also covers any work that may cause a change to the energy status of the building – for example, changing a boiler or the type of fuel serving it, will alter the energy status and will require registering with the local authority.
Further information on the Registration Requirements for theCompetent Person Scheme is found here.
To be an Accredited Certifier
An Accredited Certifier is a competent individual appointed by the business with specific technical competence and knowledge of the Building Regulations, and has responsibility on a day-to-day basis for the safety, technical standards and quality of the in-scope controlled services under his/her supervision.
This is a serious role as some of statutory inspection and certification duties of Local Authority Building Control Inspectors are devolved to the business under taking the work and will be the responsibility of the Accredited Certifier.
To be an Accredited Certifier you must meet the Minimum Technical Competency standards. Details of these may be found in the Scheme Handbook, or are available from BESCA Administration (0800 652 5533) or info@besca.org.uk.
Further information on the Registration Requirements to be an Accredited Certifier is found here.
BESCA will require evidence from the Accredited Certifier of an appropriate qualification, which will be verified by BM TRADA alongside the technical competence and Building Regulation knowledge during the initial audit for new applicants, and at all recurring annual surveillance checks.
Accredited Certifiers are required to demonstrate their commitment to developing competence and Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and will need to show on-going CPD through training or self-tuition.
Commercial, Business, and Technical Standards for theCompetent Person Scheme
The criteria to meet BESCA’s standards can be found here in the Commercial, Business and Technical Standards for the Competent Persons.
During your assessment the auditor will determine your business’s commitment to good business and working practices, and assess to see if your business has a culture that will consistently produce work in a safe and efficient manner, and which complies with the Building Regulations.
Copies of the assessment schedules that our auditors use while carrying out audits can be downloaded here and you are recommended to review these schedules ahead of any assessment to check that your business meets all the required standards.
Further information on the standard to which BESCA operates is detailed in the Competent Persons Scheme Handbook which may be downloaded here.