Professional & Financial Services

Architecture, engineering and testing compliance checklist

A confirmation checklist for division-71 businesses. Work through the cross-cutting duties every professional practice shares, then every section that describes what you do — architect, designer, or testing and analysis laboratory (architects are also designers). Several design duties differ by nation, so check the rule for where you work.

UK-wide
On this page
UK-wide

Related guides in General Compliance

Confirm the obligations that apply to your architecture, engineering or testing business are in place. Start with section 1, which applies to everyone, then complete every section that describes what you do — you may need more than one. Where a duty differs by nation, the item says so — check the position for where you work.

Section 1 — Every architecture, engineering or testing business

  1. 1

    Pay the ICO data protection fee

    Unless exempt, register and pay the ICO fee, and handle client, staff and (for testing) sample data under the UK GDPR. Applies UK-wide.

  2. 2

    Avoid discrimination

    Make sure your employment and service policies comply with the Equality Act 2010 (Great Britain) or Northern Ireland equality law.

  3. 3

    Hold employers' liability insurance

    At least £5 million cover from an authorised insurer if you employ anyone.

  4. 4

    Manage health and safety

    Protect staff, people on site visits and laboratory visitors under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Great Britain; equivalent in Northern Ireland).

  5. 5

    Carry professional indemnity insurance

    Required by your professional body's code (and almost always by client contracts) at a level appropriate to your work; check your cover addresses Building Safety Act duties if you work on higher-risk buildings.

Section 2 — Architects (protected title)

Architects are also designers — complete Section 3 as well.

  1. 1

    Register with the ARB before using the title "architect"

    Every individual using the title must be on the Architects Registration Board's Register. Registration is of individuals, not firms, and applies UK-wide. Using the title unregistered is a criminal offence.

  2. 2

    Comply with the Architects Code and keep up your CPD

    Meet the ARB Architects Code (including adequate professional indemnity insurance) and complete annual continuing professional development.

Section 3 — Designers (architects, engineers, surveyors)

  1. 1

    Design to the Building Regulations

    Make sure your designs comply with the Building Regulations and are signed off through building control. Building Regulations 2010 in England and Wales; Building (Scotland) Regulations in Scotland; separate Building Regulations in Northern Ireland.

  2. 2

    Meet your CDM 2015 designer duties

    Eliminate, reduce or control foreseeable risks through design and provide design information to other dutyholders. CDM 2015 in Great Britain; CDM (Northern Ireland) 2016 in Northern Ireland. Confirm whether you are appointed principal designer.

  3. 3

    Confirm competence for higher-risk buildings

    For higher-risk buildings in England (at least 18m or 7+ storeys, in-scope uses), do not start design work unless satisfied of your competence, and follow the Building Safety Regulator gateway regime. England only; Scotland operates separately.

Section 4 — Technical testing and analysis laboratories

  1. 1

    Get UKAS accreditation where your results need it

    Accredit to ISO/IEC 17025 (testing/calibration) or ISO/IEC 17020 (inspection) where a contract, specification or regulatory scheme requires accredited results. UKAS is the sole national accreditation body; accreditation applies UK-wide.

  2. 2

    Use competent, accredited analysts for asbestos work

    For asbestos sampling, air monitoring or four-stage clearance, use analysts competent under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (HSG248), independent of the removal contractor, with UKAS accreditation in practice. Great Britain; Control of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 in Northern Ireland.

Related guides

The guides this checklist confirms.