Overview of the plumbers and drainlayers self-certification scheme

Self-certification for plumbing and drainlaying is a voluntary, opt-in system that allows endorsed plumbers and drainlayers to certify that eligible work complies with the building consent.

On 2 June 2026, the Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2026 (the Amendment Act) was passed to establish a voluntary self-certification scheme for plumbers and drainlayers.

The Amendment Act’s purpose is to speed up the building consenting process for eligible plumbing and drainlaying work in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2026 – legislation.govt.nz

The scheme will allow trusted plumbers and drainlayers to carry out eligible work without building consent authority (BCA) inspections. Regulations define which types of plumbing and drainlaying work can be self-certified.

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

What self-certification means

Under the scheme, eligible plumbing and drainlaying work does not need to be inspected by a BCA, as long as:

• the work meets the definition of self-certifiable plumbing and/or self-certifiable drainlaying
• it is carried out by a plumber or drainlayer who is endorsed to self-certify.

In place of inspections, endorsed plumbers and drainlayers take responsibility for their own work and issue a certificate of compliance confirming the work complies with the building consent.

It is the building owner’s choice about whether they want to use self-certification or not.

BCAs are expected to check certificates of compliance have all the required information.

They must accept certificates of compliance as evidence of complying with the building consent, and in turn, the Building Code.  

What work can be self-certified

The scheme applies only to eligible plumbing and drainlaying work that is:

• on residential, commercial and industrial buildings up to three storeys (except apartment blocks)
• designed to an Acceptable Solution or Verification Method
• for on-site systems – these can be self-certified using a different compliance method if there is no Acceptable Solution or Verification Method that exists for that on-site system.

An on-site system means a system for the independent management of water that does not connect to a network utility operator (NUO) system. This includes systems for circulating, disposing of, storing, supplying, pumping or re-using water, as well as irrigation.

All plumbing and drainlaying work still needs to comply with the Building Code.

What work cannot be self-certified

The following plumbing and drainlaying work cannot be self-certified:

• buildings taller than three storeys
• civil works, such as underground plumbing and drainlaying systems that service public infrastructure
• apartment blocks
• in a shared wall or that penetrates a fire separation
• alternative solutions other than to an on-site system.

What stays the same

Self-certification does not remove other key safeguards:

• A building consent is still required where one would normally be needed.
• BCAs still assess proposed building work for Building Code compliance at the building consent stage.
• Plumbers and drainlayers must still be licensed and meet professional and disciplinary requirements – only certifying plumbers and drainlayers (the highest level of registration) can become endorsed.
• All work must still comply with the Building Code.

Why the scheme is being introduced

Self-certification is intended to:

• reduce delays caused by BCA inspections
• allow BCAs to focus inspections on higher risk building work
• recognise the skills and accountability of experienced plumbers and drainlayers
• make the building consent system work more efficiently for everyone involved.

Opt-in and accountability

Participation in the scheme is optional. Certifying plumbers and drainlayers choose whether to apply for endorsement and take on self-certification responsibilities.

Endorsed plumbers and drainlayers are accountable for their work.

If self-certified work does not comply with the Building Code, normal enforcement, disciplinary, and consumer protection processes apply.

Homeowners can choose whether to use an endorsed plumber or drainlayer, or to have the work inspected by a BCA.