Digitization in the construction industry is moving forward. The government has passed a bill to amend the Construction Law and other laws, which is expected to enable the keeping of a construction log or a construction site book, among other things, in electronic form. The scheduling of examinations for construction licenses is also to be more flexible. There are other changes as well.
Information about the government's adoption of the draft amendment appeared on the government's website on April 20. What is to change in the construction law this time? If deputies vote through the changes as proposed, the construction logbook will be allowed to be kept in electronic form. This does not mean, however, that logbooks in paper form will disappear. For a transitional period, it will be possible to choose between the old and new form of diary keeping.
The electronic solution will allow for several conveniences. First, the developer will save time by being able to check logbook entries remotely, without going to the construction site. Second, it will not be necessary to attach the logbook to the application for an occupancy permit and notification of completion of construction. This is because it will be sufficient to provide an individual number assigned henceforth to each log, which will allow it to be found in the central system. This means that - as communicated by the Prime Minister's Office:
The application for an occupancy permit and the notice of completion of construction will be able to be submitted electronically.
book also digitally
It will also be possible to keep the book of a building in electronic form, which will be possible thanks to the Electronic Book of Building (EKOB) system. The book will also have its own individual number.
The scheduling of examinations for construction licenses is to be more flexible. The dates will from now on be set by the relevant chambers of professional self-government.
What else? The government mentions a few other cases as the most important solutions. The first relates to the register of persons holding construction authorizations and punished for professional liability. It is to be maintained through the e-CRUB (Central Register of Persons Holding Construction Licenses) system. The website of the Ministry of Development and Technology reads that this is a
brand-new software that will replace the existing Central Register of Persons Holding Construction Permits and the Register of Persons Sanctioned for Professional Liability in Construction (CRUB).
e-Construction to be expanded
The second aspect concerns the e-Construction portal, which is to be expanded and:
will enable the generation of applications, notifications and notices, which can then be submitted either on paper or in the form of an electronic document (e.g., via ePUAP or a sub-box).
Finally, it will be faster and more convenient - it will be possible to obtain fire protection agreements for projects that are digitized.
When will the amendment be voted on at the Diet? The date is not yet known. All that is known is that most of the amended provisions are expected to come into force 14 days after publication in the Official Gazette.
A link with the original version of the bill and documenting the proceedings on the amendment can be found here.
Meanwhile, a broader discussion of the proposed changes can be found on the website of the Ministry of Development and Technology.
