The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced a new Building Standards system for Scotland that raises standards and simplifies the approval of many construction activities for the public, Verifiers (local authorities) and the industry.

The new Building Standards legislation also provided for the appointment of Approved certifiers of Design and Approved Certifiers of Construction. Properly qualified professionals can become Certifiers and have the authority to certify work for building warrant purposes.

SNIPEF has been appointed by the Scottish Ministers to run the above scheme which will allows individuals (Approved Certifiers of Construction) to "certify" drainage,heating and plumbing work which is subject to a building warrant. Click here to see what the scheme covers and the qualifications you need to be a scheme member.

The Approved Certifier must be employed by a business (Approved Body) which is either a member of the Plumbing Industry Licensing scheme which is operated by SNIPEF or they must meet the Licensing scheme criteria.

Businesses and or organisations who wish to apply to become an Approved Body can download application forms as follows:

Click here for more information on the scheme including the scheme costs.

If you are a current member business of the SNIPEF Licensing scheme click here to download an Approved Body application.

If you are a NOT a current member business of the SNIPEF Licensing scheme click here to download an Approved Body application.

Click here to download an application to be an Approved Certifier of Construction.

(Remember you must also submit an Approved Body application to join the scheme).

Click here to link to the Scottish Government Building Standards Division website.

For more information on the scheme and to log in and register as an Approved Certifier so you can issue certificates click here.

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Tom Galloway, SNIPEF President

“SNIPEF has been working for a number of years with officials from the Scottish Building Standards Division to set up the scheme and the complex and wide ranging scope of the scheme has meant a great deal of work on both sides to ensure that we have ended up with a scheme which will benefit not only installers but also clients”.