Importance of Building Regulations to Industrial Development

1. Importance of Building Regulations to Industrial Development Prepared for the BCO 2014 T. Demana

2. Structure of the Presentation • Industrial Policy • NBRBS Act • Industry support through Building Regulations • NBRBS Review • Conclusions

3. Industrial Policy • The Department of Trade and industry is responsible for implementing industrial policy • Flagship programme is Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) • The technical quality infrastructure that we simply refer to as “technical infrastructure” is a key tool in industrial policy • The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act work forms part of this infrastructure

4. Technical Infrastructure framework

5. Importance of Technical Infrastructure • Standards, quality assurance, accreditation and metrology activities are instrumental in developing and growing manufacturing capabilities (industrial policy). • They are an objective measure of competitiveness of firms based on their products or services. • They provide, usually as mandatory regulations, risk based requirements for the protection of health, safety, environment and the consumer. • Thus a vital link to market access and global trade.

6. National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 103 of 1977 • The Act is administered by the NRCS and its purpose is to - promote uniformity in the law relating to the erection of buildings - for the prescribing of building standards - require that building be approved by local authorities prior to erections - require local authorities to employ building control officers - establishes an appeal mechanism against decisions of local authorities

7. NBR as Vehicle for Safety and Industry development • Safety • Advancing manufacturing capabilities

8. Review of NBRBS Act • The Act was promulgated in 1977, 37 years ago • Substantial development in South Africa since - 75% of population is now urbanized, in 1990 50% were in rural areas - there are 278 municipalities covering the country - the population is now around 54 million people this year - a number of new legislation including municipal municipal systems, town planning, water acts etc, may not be aligned. • The current SA landscape, including the informal settlements, require changes in this Act

9. Why Review the NBRBS Act • The NBRBS system is very fragmented, various departments and organs of state have roles that at times are not optimized. • Local Authorities do not necessarily have similar reporting structures, thus appointment of Building Control Officer by the Minister of Trade and Industry challenging • Some Local Authorities are increasingly being challenged in implementing the regulations – skills and capacity sometime an issue. • The regulations seem to indicate that work undertaken by the state is exempt.

10. Process of Review • The department is drafting terms of reference covering - requirements of the building and construction industry - evaluating effective of current legislation - evaluating the role of agencies such as SABS, Agrement Board, NRCS, CBE, CSIR, CIDB, SALGA and NHBRC. -requirements including skills and other resources for effectiveness - coordination mechanism across government departments • The terms of reference will be used to consult with government stakeholders, then industry • BCO members are considered government stakeholders so they are fist in line for consultations, NRCS will advise

11. Conclusion • The NBRBS Act is an important instrument for industrial policy and maintenance of safety in the country • The department is keen to see the Act implemented as well as it can • Therefore the department is ready to bring the Act, with your help, up to date.

12. Thank you for attention. tdemana@thedti.gov.za