About

National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office:

“Promoting a Culture of Compliance with the Building and Construction Products Regulations in an industry marked by rapid changes in technology and processes.”

Commenced in 2014 with the implementation of S.I. 9 of 2014 (Building Control Amendment Regulations); In 2019, the National Building Control Office, was set up as a specialist unit (a shared service) hosted by Dublin City Council. This office provides oversight, support and direction for the development, standardisation and implementation of Building Control (Building Control Acts 1990-2014) in the state. The office also has responsibility for the development and management of the Building Control Management System the online administration system for building control in Ireland.

Building Control Authorities also have responsibilities under the EU Energy Performance in Buildings Regulations S.I. 243 of 2012 and the EU Construction Products Regulations EU 305/2011 (S.I. No. 225 of 2013).

In 2020 under S.I. 682 of 2020, the National Market Surveillance Office, was set up as a specialist (shared services) unit hosted by DCC. This office with the support of the two National Competent Authorities (GSI and TII), coordinates Market Surveillance of Construction Products (Construction Products Regulations EU 305/2011 (S.I. No. 225 of 2013)) activity, in the 31 Market Surveillance Authorities.

The office develops and manages the implementation of, in consultation with the stakeholders Ireland’s National Market Surveillance Strategy which:

Pursuant to Article 18(5) of Regulation (EC) 765/2008, Ireland’s National market surveillance programme 2021 is published on the website of the European Commission.
Pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation 2019/1020 Ireland’s National Market Surveillance Strategy 2022 - July 2022 can be downloaded here. and Market Surveillance of Construction Products Strategy 2023 - Ireland can be downloaded here

The National Building Control Advisory Committee oversees the project on behalf of the sector; Chaired by DCC on behalf of the CCMA, membership is from the, DHLGH, Construction Industry Council (CIC), NDFEM, Building Control Authorities, Chief Fire Officers (CFO).

Market Surveillance of Construction Products S.I 225 of 2013 and S.I. 682 of 2020

The European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 S.I. No. 225 of 2013, gives full effect in Irish law to the provisions set out in Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 (Construction Products Regulation (CPR)) and specified provisions of Regulation (EU) No. 765/2008 (Market Surveillance Regulations). Furthermore Regulation (EU) 1020/2019 (Market Surveillance Regulations) repealed sections of Regulation (EU) No. 765/2008 and strengthened the provisions of Market Surveillance in Europe apply since 16th July 2021. Among other things Regulation (EU) 1020/2019 provides for a “Single liaison Office” (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment), which represents the coordinated position of the market surveillance authorities and the authorities in charge of the control on products entering the Union market in Ireland, ref, list of MSAs; market surveillance of construction products is one part of this coordinated approach.

S.I. No. 225 of 2013, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR); Market Surveillance Regulation (EU) No. 765/2008 and Regulation (EU) 1020/2019 should be read in tandem to obtain a complete view of the obligations on economic operators, the requirements for the marketing of construction products covered by the Construction Products Regulation and the market surveillance procedures to be followed and the powers conferred on Building Control Authorities who are Market Surveillance Authorities.

The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 (Construction Products – Market Surveillance) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 682 of 2020) appoints Dublin City Council-National Building Control Office as a competent authority for the carrying out of market surveillance functions under the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No.225 of 2013) for all construction products in the State.

The National Building Control & Market Surveillance Office have authorised officers who monitor compliance with the statutory requirements set out under the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 and Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 on a nationwide basis. The full range of Market Surveillance powers are retained by each of the 31 MSAs.

Contact support@nbco.gov.ie.

The European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 225 of 2013), provides for the:

market surveillance of construction products having regard to the requirements of the CPR and Regulation (EU) No. 765/2008 and Regulation (EU) 1020/2019.
establishment of building control authorities as the market surveillance authorities for construction products. Authorised officers have also been appointed in each of the 31 local building control authorities to enforce the statutory requirements set out under the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 and Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011.
offences, penalties and prosecutions, and
the destruction or disposal of construction products where a person has been convicted on indictment of certain offences under the regulations.

Pursuant to Article 18(5) of Regulation (EC) 765/2008, Ireland’s National Market Surveillance Programme 2021 is published on the website of the European Commission.

Pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation 2019/1020 Ireland’s National Market Surveillance Strategy 2022 - July 2022 can be downloaded here.

The latest indicators for the Market Surveillance of Construction Products under S.I. 225 of 2013 up to end of December 2022 are listed in tabular format here which can be found as a separate attachment along with the latest National Building Control Management Project Newsletters here.

‘Construction product’ means any product or kit which is produced and placed on the market for incorporation in a permanent manner in construction works or parts thereof and the performance of which has an effect on the performance of the construction works with respect to the basic requirements for construction works”

Construction Products Regulation (CPR) EU

2020 Building Control Inspections Data

Building Control Officers carried out 17,852 site inspections and requested and/or checked 11,098 building compliances in 2020.

“Inspections” covers any type of visit or check conducted by Building Control Officers (BCO) on works or a building including construction products, workmanship, specifications, documents etc. Building Control Officers (BCO) use a random and risk-based approach to plan inspections. Commencement Notice “Online Assessment” data collated via the online Building Control Management System (BCMS) informs the targeting of buildings and works where the risk of non-compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations is highest. Visibility on site and communication with owners, builders, certifiers and product suppliers is paramount to promoting compliant, safe, accessible and sustainable buildings.

Number of Inspections, prior to commencement of work (desktop) 1,772
Number of Commencement Notices where plans, specifications, or other compliance documents were requested. S11(3) requests 1,034
Number of Inspections of buildings in progress (onsite) 15,008
Number of Inspections (other)- e.g. Part G (Hygiene), J (Flues), H (Drainage/Wastewater) 1,072
Number of buildings & dwellings (new/existing) for which a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate was sought and/or checked by the Building Control Authority (BCA) 10,064

2021 Building Control Inspections Data

Quarter 1- 4 of 2021 (1st January to 31st December 2021)

Number of Inspections, prior to commencement of work (desktop) 6,818
Number of Commencement Notices where plans, specifications, or other compliance documents were requested. S11(3) requests 2,307
Number of Inspections of buildings in progress (onsite) 28,700
Number of Inspections (other)- e.g. Part G (Hygiene), J (Flues), H (Drainage/Wastewater) 789
Number of buildings & dwellings (new/existing) for which a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate was sought and/or checked by the Building Control Authority (BCA) 20,437

Quarter 4 of 2021 (1st September to 31st December 2021)

Number of Inspections, prior to commencement of work (desktop) 1,827
Number of Commencement Notices where plans, specifications, or other compliance documents were requested. S11(3) requests 561
Number of Inspections of buildings in progress (onsite) 9,332
Number of Inspections (other)- e.g. Part G (Hygiene), J (Flues), H (Drainage/Wastewater) 153
Number of buildings & dwellings (new/existing) for which a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate was sought and/or checked by the Building Control Authority (BCA) 5,222

2022 Building Control Inspections Data

Quarter 1 of 2022 (1st January to 31st March 2022)

Number of Inspections, prior to commencement of work (desktop) 1,552
Number of Commencement Notices where plans, specifications, or other compliance documents were requested. S11(3) requests 618
Number of Inspections of buildings in progress (onsite) 9,591
Number of Inspections (other)- e.g. Part G (Hygiene), J (Flues), H (Drainage/Wastewater) 37
Number of buildings & dwellings (new/existing) for which a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate was sought and/or checked by the Building Control Authority (BCA) 4,266

Quarter 2 of 2022 (1st April to 30th June 2022)

Number of Inspections, prior to commencement of work (desktop) 1,685
Number of Commencement Notices where plans, specifications, or other compliance documents were requested. S11(3) requests 631
Number of Inspections of buildings in progress (onsite) 9,576
Number of Inspections (other)- e.g. Part G (Hygiene), J (Flues), H (Drainage/Wastewater) 97
Number of buildings & dwellings (new/existing) for which a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate was sought and/or checked by the Building Control Authority (BCA) 5,083