Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb)

Construction works are divided into different groups. We call these consequence classes. The greater the consequences if something goes wrong during construction, the stricter the requirements are. The Wkb applies to structures in consequence class 1. These are low-risk structures. These are:

• Ground-built homes, also with garage and home office, for example
• Houseboats
• Vacation rentals
• Commercial buildings of up to 2 floors, also with a small office or small canteen
• Additions to other uses of up to 2 storeys, for example, a warehouse at a store
• Small bicycle and pedestrian bridges of up to 20 meters, which are not over a state highway or county road
• Other structures not exceeding 20 meters in height, such as masts and antennas

The following structures are not covered by the Wkb:

• National, provincial and municipal monuments
• Structures requiring an environmental permit or permit/report for fire-safe use
• Building activities where there is an equivalent solution for fire or structural safety, including application NEN 6060 and 6079

View examples of different situations on the U.N. fact sheet.

The quality assurance officer is an independent party who checks the quality of a construction work. The quality assurance officer checks before and during construction that the building plan complies with the rules. These rules include, for example:

• Foundation
• Fire Safety
• Energy use

For structures in consequence class 1, you must follow a number of steps starting Jan. 1, 2024.

Step 1: New initiative under Wkb

You have new construction plans that fall under the Wkb.

Step 2: Preliminary consultation (not required).

Make an appointment for a preliminary consultation if you want to discuss your building plans with the municipality in advance.

Step 3: Hire quality assurance contractor

You hire a quality assurance professional yourself. You can search the register of instruments for quality assurance. There you will find a list of quality assurance providers and instruments. An instrument is an approved method that the quality assurance company uses to check the construction. The quality assurance professional prepares a risk assessment and assurance plan.

Step 4: Apply for environmental planning activity

At least 8 weeks before the start of construction activities, you must apply to the municipality for an environmental plan activity. You do this through the Digital Environment Desk.

Step 5: Submit construction notification

At least 4 weeks before the start of construction activities, you must submit a construction notification via the Digital Environment Desk. Hereby you indicate:

• That it is a structure in consequence class 1
• Who the quality assurance officer is
• What instrument is used

You also submit the assurance plan and risk assessment prepared by the quality assurance contractor.

Step 6: Start construction work

At least 2 days before the start of construction activities, submit the construction start date via the Digital Environment Counter.

Step 7: Inspection by quality assurance contractor

During construction, the quality assurance contractor monitors:

• The quality of the structure
• Whether the contents of the assurance plan are met

Step 8: Verification by municipality

The municipality can conduct inspections during construction and enforce as necessary.

Step 9: Completion notification

At least 2 weeks before you start using the building, submit via the Digital Environment Counter:

• Finish notification
• Quality assurance statement

Step 10: Using building

Within 2 weeks you will hear whether the notification of completion and quality assurance declaration are approved by the municipality. If they are approved, you may start using the building.

We also have site-specific risks within Voorne aan Zee .

The most common site-specific risks may include:

1. Building next to buildings with monumental status. At least but not exclusively the inner city of Brielle and the fortress of Hellevoetsluis.
2. Building near/in Natura2000 area.
3. Building in the vicinity of a mill biotope.
4. Building in the vicinity of a dike body.
5. Building in an area with archaeological values.

The quality assurance contractor only needs to pay attention to these when they apply to the technical construction activity for which the report is submitted.

The municipality has named these risks as a service, but the quality assurance contractor always remains responsible for identifying and mitigating risks to ensure technical construction quality.

The introduction of the Wkb strengthens the position of clients. A lot is changing for contractors: 

• The contractor must give the client a completion file upon completion of a structure.
• Contractors are required to inform private clients on new construction of how they are insured.
• The right of suspension (the 5% rule) among private clients is modified.
• Additional requirements are placed on the contractor's duty of warning in construction work. This warning must be clear, written and timely.
• The contractor becomes responsible for defects even after completion.

These changes apply to all construction activities for which there is a contracting agreement. Health that you as a contractor are well prepared for the Wkb. Read Wet kwaliteitsborging (Bouwend Nederland). 

On Jan. 1, 2024, the Omgevingswet also took effect. You can read more information on the page Omgevingswet.

• Building Quality Assurance Act (Senate).
• More supervision in construction through the Building Quality Assurance Act (Rijksoverheidnl)
• Building quality assurance (Stichtingibknl)
• Fact sheet Building under the Wkb
• Frequently asked questions from residents about the Omgevingswet
• Frequently asked questions from business owners about the Omgevingswet