§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many self-certification schemes are in operation relating to the construction industry; and what the cost is of joining each scheme. [53001]
§ Dr. WhiteheadFive schemes are operating self-certification under the Building Regulations in England and Wales. These are for installers registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI); the Oil Firing Registration. Scheme run by the Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry (OFTEC); the Registration Scheme for Companies involved in the Installation and Maintenance of Domestic Solid Fuel Fired Equipment run by HETAS Ltd.; the Approved Contractor Person Scheme (Building Regulations) run by the Institute of Plumbing; and the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme run by FENSA Ltd.
We understand the costs for joining each scheme are as follows:
677WFor an installer registered with CORGI the joining fee is £189, with an annual membership fee of £170 included in the first year's costs. Where the registered installer is a company, they can register additional employees at £49 per annum.For OFTEC the annual fee is £36 for an individual, and £20 for a company, payable five years in advance. An individual must be employed by an OFTEC registered firm.For HETAS the first year's fee is £150 for a firm followed by and annual membership fee of £100. For an individual the fee is £25 per annum. An individual must be employed by a HETAS registered firm.For the Institute of Plumbing we understand that there will be no separate charge for membership of the Approved Contractor Person Scheme, but it will be necessary to be a member of the Institute of Plumbing (IoP). There is an IoP joining fee of £30 and an annual membership fee of £50.50.For the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme all firms are required to pay a standard registration fee of £100, in addition to the vetting fee of £200. The vetting fee is not required, however, if the firm has already been vetted by another body which has standards comparable to FENSA. There is also an annual membership charge of £50 included in the first year's costs. Registered firms are required to purchase Approved Documents L1 and N which provide details on how to comply with the Building Regulations.These costs are exclusive of VAT. There will be additional associated fees for training and assessment for CORGI, HETAS and OFTEC and in some cases the IoP.
§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what criteria the Government used to determine who should he consulted regarding the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2002. [53002]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe criteria used were the same as normally followed when introducing a new initiative under the Building Regulations. There was an initial consultation with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC), followed by two extensive written consultations with interested representative bodies. This was followed up by further consultation with BRAC, including the creation of a separate BRAC working party. There was final consultation on the detailed regulations with BRAC along with requests for comments from the schemes involved and individual experts.
§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who will he responsible for policing the self-certification schemes introduced by the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2002. [53000]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe scheme operators will be responsible for maintaining the standards necessary for their members to self-certify their work. Working with the scheme operators my Department will monitor the extent to which standards have been maintained and improved as a result of the self-certification initiative.
§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how the self-certification schemes introduced by the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2002 will operate in connection with the existing quality mark scheme. [53005]
§ Dr. WhiteheadIn the consultation document 'Taking Forward Self-Certification Under the Building Regulations' we noted that the first stage of self-certification would develop a body of experience which it might be able to apply more widely when other bodies join. It was also noted that this process would "allow synergies to develop with the quality mark initiative …". We have started this process. In relation to the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA), quality mark members are eligible for a discount on initial membership, and further discussions are currently taking place between the Department of Trade and Industry and FENSA over how the two schemes can work more closely together over the coming months. We will also be working with the other schemes during this first stage to see how they can work more closely with the quality mark initiative.