Kreisson
17 August 2021
On 1 July 2020, the Building and Development Certifiers Act 2018 (the Act) and the Building and Development Certifiers Regulation 2020 (the Regulation) became law in New South Wales.
This follows on from the increased regulation and compliance measures introduced in the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 NSW (DBPA) which came into operation on 11 June, 2020.
We set out below a summary of the key requirements in the Building and Development Certifiers Act 2018 and the Regulation for Certifiers carrying out certification work in NSW:
a) Registration: Certifiers to be registered to carry out certification work;
b) Insurance: Certifiers to be adequately insured; and
c) Conflicts of interest.
d) Contracts for certification work to be in writing. The Act and Regulation introduce new measures requiring contracts for certification work to be in writing and the elements to be included in those contracts.
e) Revised categories of accreditation of registered Certifiers.
The Act and Regulation include a number of very similar provisions found in the Design, Building Practitioners Act NSW 2020, requiring building and design practitioners to be registered, suspension or cancellation of their registration, having adequate and current insurance and disciplinary action.
The Act and the Regulations have been introduced to replace the Building Professionals Act 2005 and the Building Professionals Regulation 2007.
The Building Professionals Board is abolished and New South Wales Fair Trading is to assume its functions.
The Act seeks to:
a) strengthen regulatory requirements for the registration of Certifiers;
b) improved complaints handling and disciplinary processes for Certifiers; and
c) introduce more rigorous conflict of interest provisions and stronger penalties for breaches including disciplinary action against Certifiers.
Certifiers are required to be registered to carry out the certification work.
Certifiers must have professional indemnity insurance so they are “adequately indemnified” against any liability to which the registered Certifier may become subject as a result of carrying out the certification work.
The Certifier is also required to provide evidence of insurance to NSW Fair Trading.
The Act makes an exception in relation to employees of Councils who are registered Certifier and who satisfy the Secretary that they have adequate insurance.
The Act and Regulation make provision for professional indemnity policies of insurance required for registered Certifiers who carry out business on their own i.e. as individuals, Certifiers carrying out work in a corporate entity, and partnerships carrying out work as Certifiers.
Exclusions may be made in professional indemnity policies so that indemnity under the policy in relation to cladding (defined to include panels, linings, attachments to a building’s external wall or another area of a building: clause 19(3) that it does not comply with the requirements of the BCA, Australian Standard Act or other law of the Commonwealth, or that does not comply with the manufacturers conditions of use in the cladding.
Clause 19 applies only in relation to a professional indemnity policy providing indemnity for a period not exceeding 12 months, commencing on or before 30 June 2021.
A transition period of 12 months applies following the commencement of the Regulation. Existing policies of insurance taken out before the commencement of the Regulation that complied with the requirements of the Building Professionals Act as deemed to satisfy the requirements of insurance.
No certification work is to be carried out if the Certifier has a conflict of interest involving his private interests and his role to act in the public interest s28, for example involving a pecuniary interest.
“Pecuniary interest” is defined in section 30. A registered Certifier has a pecuniary interest in the development of building if there is a reasonable likelihood of expectation of appreciable financial gain or loss to the registered Certifier, or to a person with whom the registered Certifier has a relationship (whether family, personal, employment, or business).
Clause 24 of the Regulation sets out specific circumstances in which a conflict will arise.
The Act and Regulation seek to draw a distinction between the private interests of the Certifier and his role as a public officer and where those interests intertwine, the Certifier has a conflict of interest in carrying out relevant certification work. The certifier is required to abide by a specific certification work. The Certifier is required to abide by a specific Code of Conduct and act in the public interest.
While these continue the requirements found in the now repealed Building Professions Act 2005, the Act introduces new requirements in relation to requiring contracts for certification work to be in writing (appropriately signed/executed by the parties and to contain a declaration.
The contract must be accompanied by an information sheet available on the Fair Trading website. This sets out the obligations of Certifiers.
Schedule 1 contains a revised series of classes of registration and corresponding categories of accreditation and the knowledge and skills required.
David Glinatsis (Director, Kreisson). For more information, contact us at excellence@kreisson.com.au or 02 82396500
This communication is sent by Kreisson Legal Pty Limited (ACN 113 986 824). This communication has been prepared for the general information of clients and professional associates of Kreisson Legal. You should not rely on the contents. It is not legal advice and should not be regarded as a substitute for legal advice. The contents may contain copyright.
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