Detailed regulatory guidance on the BCA accreditation scheme

Building consents involving self-certifiable plumbing or drainlaying

From 7 September 2026, plumbers and drainlayers may apply for an endorsement under the new self-certification scheme.

Endorsed practitioners may self-certify eligible plumbing and drainlaying work, removing the need for building consent authority (BCA) inspections of that work. As the scheme becomes fully operational, BCAs will need to update their policies, procedures and systems (PPS) accordingly.

If a building consent includes plumbing or drainlaying proposed for self-certification, the BCA’s PPS must address this consent pathway. This includes receiving and checking the consent application and prescribed forms, confirming eligibility, clearly recording the approved self-certifiable scope, checking certificates of compliance (CoCs) and supporting documents for completeness, and deciding whether to issue the code compliance certificate (CCC).

The BCA remains responsible for assessing the proposed design for building code compliance and for granting and issuing the building consent. If the statutory self-certification requirements are met, the BCA does not need to inspect the authorised self-certifiable plumbing or drainlaying work. BCA’s must treat the practitioner’s CoC as evidence that must be accepted for a CCC under section 94(2)(aa) of the Building Act 2004 (the Building Act).

Although the scheme has not resulted in any amendments to the Building (Accreditation of Building Consent Authorities) Regulations 2006 (the Regulations), BCAs will need to update their PPS to accommodate it. For clarity, self-certified plumbing or drainlaying work does not require inspection by a BCA and is therefore excluded from the regulation 7A calculation.

Information about the self-certification scheme, its legislative framework, and roles and responsibilities [PDF 2MB]

BCAs already rely on various forms of third-party verification and certification when carrying out building control functions, such as receiving energy work certificates (a type of CoC). 

Where not already done, BCAs should raise a continuous improvement action within their quality management system to identify and implement any necessary changes to their PPS, including those required under the regulations identified below.

BCAs should also ensure their Form 2, 5 and 6 templates are amended to meet the requirements of the amended Building (Forms) Regulations 2004.

Building (Forms) Regulations 2004 - legislation.govt.nz

Regulation 5

Note: some aspects of the below may already be in place for consideration of energy work (gas and electrical) CoCs.

Plumbing and drainage self-certification consent pathway to be added to documented PPS.

Receiving consent applications

BCA processes will need to identify applications that propose the use of self-certification and confirm that the plumbing or drainlaying work is clearly described.

Recording the approved scope

The building consent must clearly identify the plumbing or drainlaying work approved for self-certification. This enables building owners, practitioners, inspectors, and CCC decision-makers to distinguish self-certified work from work subject to the BCA's standard inspection regime.

Recording practitioner information

The BCA will need to record the name and registration number of the endorsed plumber or drainlayer engaged to undertake, assist with, or supervise the work. If this information is not available when the consent application is made, it must be provided before the relevant building work begins (section 89A of the Building Act).

Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Aoteaora New Zealand register - pgdb.co.nz

Checking CoCs and supporting information

The BCA will need to check that the CoC contains all required information, is supported by the required documentation and relates to the work approved for self-certification. This is primarily a check of the CoC’s completeness, validity, and that it is consistent with the consent, rather than a technical inspection of the self-certified work.

Deciding whether the BCA must accept a CoC

Where a CoC and its supporting documentation meet the statutory requirements and relate to the approved self-certifiable work, the BCA must accept the CoC as evidence of compliance with the building consent and, consequently, the building code. The BCA should document the basis on which it determined that the CoC qualified as evidence.

Regulation 6

Note: some aspects of the below may already be in place for consideration of energy work (gas and electrical) CoCs.

Record eligibility, scope, practitioner details, CoC, pathway-change, and CCC decisions and reasons.

Decide whether plumbing or drainlaying work is self-certifiable

The BCA should identify the specific plumbing or drainlaying work proposed for self-certification and record the reasons why it does, or does not, meet the relevant regulatory definitions. This decision should be based on the plans, specifications and proposed system, and consider whether the work is excluded as “work that is not self-certifiable plumbing” or is not on “a qualifying building” under regulations 4, 5, 6 & 7 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers (Self-certification and Certificate of Compliance Information) Regulations 2026 (PDG Regulations).

Consider whether a change causes some or all of the work to revert to the normal BCA inspection pathway

If changed work is no longer self-certifiable, the BCA should record which elements have reverted to the ordinary inspection pathway and identify the inspections or other evidence required. The BCA should also record that an amendment for this change has been considered and granted.

Regulation 7(2)(a)

Explain the scheme, including eligibility, roles and responsibilities, inspection boundaries, and CoC requirements. This could be achieved by linking to the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment's (MBIE) guidance on the scheme.

Building forms

Prescribed forms 2, 5 and 6 should be consistent with recent amendments to the Building (Forms) Regulations 2004

Building (Forms) Regulations 2004 - legislation.govt.nz

Regulations 7(2)(b), (c) and (d)(i)

Identify the proposed scope, eligibility information, compliance pathway, and practitioner details (if known at the time of consent lodgement).

Note: some aspects of this may already be in place for consideration of energy work (gas and electrical) CoCs.

Regulation 7(2)(d)(ii) and (iii)

Allocate applications to staff competent in eligibility, scope boundaries, and mixed (or hybrid) certification pathways.

Regulation 7(2)(d)(iv)

Document eligibility and scope, and manage variations, amendments and practitioner changes (where applicable). 

Note: all standalone BCA-led amendments to building consents require a new PIM application.

Regulation 7(2)(e)

Exclude approved self-certified work from inspections while clearly managing ‘mixed-scope boundaries’ and points of ‘demarcation’ between self-certifiable and BCA inspected plumbing and drainlaying.

Regulation 7(2)(f)(i)

Validate the CoC for completeness and scope without technically reassessing self-certified plumbing and drainlaying work.

Note: some aspects of this may already be in place for consideration of energy work (gas and electrical) CoCs.

Regulation 7(2)(f)(iii)

Retain enforcement procedures for suspected non-compliance and relevant Building Act contraventions.

Depending on the BCA’s existing policies and procedures, updates may be required. However, relevant processes may already be in place for issuing notices that relates to energy work (gas and electrical) CoCs. For example, where a practitioner carries out restricted work that results in damage to a building’s primary structure.

Regulations 7(2)(g) and 7(2)(h)

Distinguish BCA complaints from practitioner matters and refer matters to the appropriate body. There may be an increase in inquiries following introduction of the new scheme.

May link to regulation 17(3)(A) quality assurance requirements where a complaint relates to a practitioner’s conduct.

Regulations 10 and 11

Building control officer’s role

Consent processing, inspection and certification staff are required to understand the distinction between matters that must be assessed by the BCA and those that remain the responsibility of the endorsed plumber or drainlayer. The BCA's role is to assess eligibility, confirm that the work falls within the approved scope of self-certification, and verify that the required certification has been provided. It should not inspect or reassess work that has been self-certified. Where roles, responsibilities, or boundaries are unclear, staff must seek guidance from an appropriate technical leader.

Consider the applicable National Building Consent Authority Competency Assessment System (NCAS) guidance at the next assessment, for example ‘R1-Br7’, ‘R1-I27’, ‘R1-C2’ etc. 

National Building Consent Authority Competency Assessment System

• Training plans should include self-certification plumbing and drainlaying scheme commencement, legislative changes, operational procedures, system changes, and role-specific training. Refresher training should be provided where internal audits identify inconsistent eligibility or certificate decisions etc.
• Where relevant, attending MBIE or Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board self-certification webinars would achieve the regulation 11(2)(c) regulatory training aspect. 

Regulations 8 to 14

Update capacity, competence, training, contractor, leadership, and technical-resource arrangements as applicable.

Regulation 16

Record the proposed self-certification pathway and the CoC evidence (Regulation 9 and 10 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Regulations) required for CCC.

Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers (Self-certification and Certificate of Compliance Information) Regulations 2026 - legislation.govt.nz

Standalone BCAs must also meet their sections 238 and 238A obligations under the Building Act with regard to the transfer of any applicable information relating to self-certification, CoCs etc.  

Note, some aspects of this already be in place for consideration of energy work (gas and electrical) CoCs.

Regulation 17

Include self-certification decisions, records, CoC checks/audits, and consistency in quality assurance system.

Regulation 17(3)(A) complaints relating to a practitioner’s conduct or behavior etc. 

Note, some aspects of this may already be in place for consideration of energy work (gas and electrical) CoCs.