Find a Certifier of Design (Section 6) Scotland

A Scheme for Certification of Design, Section 6 (Energy-Domestic) was established as a result of the change in Building (Scotland) Act) 2003. Certification of design is only possible for designers if they have gained membership of a certification scheme approved by Scottish Ministers.

A brief summary of a Design Certificate can be explained as follows:

A building owner/developer may use a Certificate of Design to support an application for building warrant. A Certificate of Design certifies that the design described in the application complies with the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and Amendment Regulations 2006 and is only valid under the Act when issued by an Approved Certifier of Design. Certificates of Design may also be used to reassure building owners of the compliance of work that is exempt from warrant.  Each Certificate of Design issued by a section 7(2) Approved Certifier of Design must be counter-signed by the Certification Coordinator of an Approved Body that belongs to the same Scheme.

Once registered and accredited through the assessment process, Approved Certifiers of Design are able to:

• Issue a Certificate of Design for Section 6 (Domestic) at the point of applying for building warrant to alter, extend, convert or build a new dwelling

• Generate in the case of new build an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

The Directory of Accredited Certifiers of Design identifies all construction professionals accredited to provide energy assessments for domestic buildings through.  A building owner may employ Approved Certifiers to ensure work meets building regulations. The status of “Approved Certifier of Design” is only given to people who hold appropriate qualifications and have sufficient experience to certify that a design is compliant.

Using an Approved Certifier is an option open to an owner or developer carrying out work that requires a building warrant. The work done must comply with the building warrant and building regulations. A Certificate of Design provides assurance that the work as designed will comply. The work constructed must comply with the building warrant and building regulations. Approved Certifiers are members of a scheme approved by Scottish Ministers.