High risk buildings - verification during construction: compliance plan approach - background and implementation

5. Building Standards Division

Building Standards Division (BSD) is part of the Scottish Government. BSD prepares and updates building standards legislation and guidance documents, conducting any necessary research and consulting on changes as necessary.

Updating the legislation and supporting guidance is informed by collaboration with working groups comprising of experts from industry, academia, and stakeholders.

BSD also author and update the Performance and Operating Frameworks and monitor the performance of local authority verifiers who are responsible for administering the building standards system.

Monitoring is carried out using the building standards Operating Framework and the building standards Performance Framework for verifiers.

Approved Scheme Providers for Certification of Design and Construction

Under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 Scottish Ministers may appoint individuals or bodies, either public or private, as Scheme Providers for Certification of Design or Construction.

There are a number of works covered by certification, which are listed on the Scottish Government Certification Register.^[14] The benefit of using an approved certifier of design and/or construction is that the building work will be certified by qualified construction professionals as complying with regulations.

This Certification of Design and Construction is seen as a strong compliance route and is encouraged within the CPA.