Building Quality Assurance Act
What is the Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb)?
Building Quality Assurance Act ( Wkb) is part of the Environment Act. It aims to improve the quality of construction and strengthen the position of the client. The changes from the Wkb now only apply to simple structures, such as single-family homes and smaller business premises. These are newly built structures in the lowest risk class (consequence class 1). An independent quality assurance agency tests building plans that fall under the Wkb. The quality assurance officer ensures that a building complies with the rules when it is reported ready.
What does the Wkb mean for residents?
If your building plan is a structure according to consequence class 1, then you must engage a quality assurance contractor yourself. Without a quality certifier you cannot submit a building notification. Also, you may then not start building.
What is a quality assurance contractor?
An independent quality assurance agency tests building plans that fall under the Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb). The quality assurance officer makes sure that a structure complies with the rules when it is reported ready.
When do you engage a quality assurance contractor yourself?
The Wkb comes into effect for both new construction and renovations of structures with a low risk profile (or: consequence class 1), such as single-family homes and simple business premises. So if your building plan is a structure according to consequence class , you will have to engage a quality assurance agency yourself. These are notifiable technical building . Without a quality assurance contractor, you cannot submit a construction notification. You are also not allowed to start building or renovating.
Opinion
The advice is to approach a quality assurance contractor yourself in time. If you engage a construction designer, it is also good to already approach a quality assurance professional. The quality assurance company can then indicate at what point it wants to be involved in the process. This may make the design and construction process faster and more efficient. There may be a waiting period due to the demand and supply of quality assurance personnel. Engaging a quality assurance contractor in time will allow him to include your construction project in his schedule.
Where do you find a quality assurance contractor?
Are you looking for a licensed and certified quality assurance contractor for your structure? Then consult the website Getting started with quality .
What does the Building Quality Assurance Act mean for contractors/entrepreneurs?
Bouwend Nederland informs contractors and entrepreneurs about the Building Quality Assurance Act on its website Quality Assurance for . Also the video: How to prepare your company for the by Bouwend Nederland provides insight into the changes.
New way of working takes getting used to
The new Environment Act and the Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb) require a different working method that is new for everyone. At first, this will take some getting used to and discovering. The new digital Omgevingsloket is constantly being improved: its comprehensibility and user-friendliness. We do everything we can to help everyone as much as possible with his/her (re)building plans according to these new laws and working methods.
Frequently asked questions and answers
You can find frequently asked questions and answers about the Environment Act, the Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb) and the Environment external link icon on the Frequently Asked Questions Guide Environment Desk external icon website.
Have questions?
If you have questions about the Environment Act and/or Building Quality Assurance Act for your building plan or initiative, please feel free to contact us by calling 0492-378 500 or emailing gemeente@gemert-bakel.nl. If you need help in applying for a permit through the new digital link icon, you can also contact us.
Animation Building under quality assurance
A roadmap for (small) contractors and consumers. In 2024, the Environment Act and the Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb) will take effect. Do you want to build or remodel in 2024? Then you need to take a number of steps before construction can begin. In this video you will see what you need to do if an architect or contractor is going to execute construction plans for you or if you are going to build yourself. Preliminary note: the video refers to 2023 as the effective year. After the video was made, the effective date was moved to January 1, 2024 and this is not reflected in the video.