Construction: a license to demolish, excavate and build

As things stand in Malta at the moment, any person or company is legally allowed to undertake construction work particularly in demolition and excavation. This means that the construction industry is not as professional or productive as it might otherwise be and it is therefore more than understandable that Malta, is at this very moment, going through a public consultation phase to introduce Licensing Regulations in the Construction Industry.

Since the launch of a public consultation on the 13 March 2023, there has been broad support for a contractors’ licensing system, both from consumers and the stakeholders within the industry itself.

In order to transform Malta's construction industry, the government, which is passionate about raising quality and standards in the sector, has issued a challenge to the industry to discuss and finalise a framework for a licensing system.

The implementation of licencing regulations will bring about various advantages for operators and consumers in the sector. First and foremost, the new laws will impose a standard level of competence and insurance cover for employees and third parties as a requirement to obtain a license, effectively excluding unqualified operators. The new legal framework will therefore create an environment that will attract professional operators by ensuring that their investment in regulatory compliance is safeguarded.

Focusing on professional operators shall create higher quality products and services while improving working environments. The presentation of a license when contracting an operator shall be a must and shall provide greater peace of mind for consumers as far as the expected quality of the final product. The introduction of contractor licencing will create a level playing field where the main differentiator will be the investment of operators to improve their services and products.

Obtaining and maintaining the license will become part of the basic day to day operations of a contractor and shall encourage professional growth and upskilling, including technical, regulatory knowledge and managerial abilities.

In Malta’s case, licencing can be viewed as an essential steppingstone for the sector leading to greater levels of confidence in contractors and their product. All of the aforementioned elements shall as a result significantly boost the industry's image and reputation and will hopefully make it an attractive career option for the younger generations.

If you are interested in participating in this public consultation, visit the Building and Construction Authority's website, www.bca.org.mt, where the draft Construction Industry Licensing Regulations are available.

You can also send your comments and feedback by email to: [email protected].