Welcome to RIAS-Regs

RIAS-regs provides a number of schemes, each one of which is operated under license from the Building Standards Division of the Scottish Government. These are:

1. Scheme Provider for the Certification of Section 6 – Energy (Domestic)
2. Scheme Provider for the Certification of Section 6 – Energy (Non-domestic)

Each Scheme has a separate and distinct legal status, however, as far as possible, we have streamlined the process by which an applicant can become a member of each.

Certification of Design

The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 provides the opportunity for design professionals in the construction industry practising in Scotland to be able to certify that a design meets one or more Sections of the Technical Standards.

Certification of Design is applicable to all warrant applications to convert, alter, extend or build new buildings.

To do so, a designer must demonstrate and maintain competency in that Section of the Technical Standards by becoming an Approved Certifier of Design recognised by a Scheme Provider approved by Scottish Ministers.

The Benefits of Design Certification

1. It distinguishes the design professional from those less qualified
2. The Scottish Government is keen to see the Certification of Design become the norm for warrant applications. It already is for all, but the most minor of structural alterations.
3. The Scottish Government’s public procurement guidance supports the use of Approved Certifiers of Design, making this the benchmark of competency for public projects
4. As the pressure mounts on local authorities to process warrant applications those certified should be processed quicker with fewer points raised in warrant reports
5. Applications for a building warrant, supported by a valid Certificate of Design will be eligible for at least a 10% discount for each section certified with the warrant application
6. RIAS-Regs works closely with the Building Standards Division (BSD) of the Scottish Government, Local Authority Building Standards Scotland (LABSS), the Scottish Building Standards Hub and the other providers of design and construction certification Schemes. This enables us to advise Approved Certifiers of Design about the requirements of, procedures and changes to the Technical Standards as they develop.

CPD Membership

Building Control Officers working for one of the 32 Scottish Local Authorities can join the Scheme on a zero costRIAS-regs also provides a low cost, non-certifier CPD Membership giving access basis in order to take advantage of free access to the Learning Materials and Practical SAPon line competency tTests (see FAQ’s). We are keen for feedback from all applicants as it helps us improve the competency tests and strengthens a shared understanding of the requirements of the Technical StandardsCompletion of the tests is considered to be the equivalent of 12 hours CPD and counts towards your application to become an Approved Certifier of Design (subject to meeting all other criteria).

Simply follow the registration process and tick the CPD button on the registration page.