News

Reminder of the requirement for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in NI Government construction

From 1 April 2016, all construction works contracts procured by a Centre of Procurement Expertise (CoPE) will include a requirement that all main contractors seeking to tender shall have and maintain an EMS certified by a third party

CPD in conjunction with the CoPEs will approve and accept third party certification of an EMS provided that:
 

•  it is based on a recognised standard e.g. ISO 14001, BS8555 or equivalent;
•  it is construction focused incorporating site inspections; and
•  the third party certification body is accredited or recognised1.

 
The EMS third party certification:

•  shall be obtained /renewed within three years of the main contract award date; and
•  shall include an annual verification audit undertaken in the intervening years.

Requirement for main contractors to have an EMS certified by a third party 

This requirement will be included in the selection criteria of Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQ) for Government construction works contracts from 1 April 2016.

Therefore main contractors interested in bidding for future Government construction works contracts should act now to ensure that, by 1 April 2016 they have in place an EMS certified by a third party which satisfies the above requirements. 

Further information on this requirement is available from CPD at the following link: https://www.dfpni.gov.uk/articles/environmental-management-systems-construction-procurement

 
Should you have any queries about this notification, please contact:
 
  ConstructionProcurement.cpd@dfpni.gov.uk
 
 



  ConstructionProcurement.cpd@dfpni.gov.uk