KOMO developments continue as always!

February 23, 2022

Ton Jans, KOMO director

‘KOMO certificate holders are our focal point’

Now that the dust has settled on the postponement of the Building Quality Assurance Act (Dutch abbreviation: Wkb) it is time to look ahead. We join KOMO and KiK (KOMO’s Quality Assurance Instrument) director Ton Jans to run through the developments within KOMO.

What do you make of the postponement?
“It is of course regrettable that Minister De Jonge felt compelled to postpone the Environment and Planning Act, and with it the Wkb, because of the automation issue concerning the DSO (Digital System Environment Act, eds.),” states Ton Jans. “Nevertheless, I also see advantages. The market has more time to get thoroughly prepared.”

What does the postponement mean for KOMO?
Ton Jans: “It gives KOMO the opportunity to further develop initiatives. KOMO certificate holders are our focal point. So our actions are aimed at giving them ways to reap the full benefits of their KOMO quality marks, especially in the context of the Wkb.”

Can you indicate what the advantage is of a KOMO quality mark under the Wkb?
“For works according to the new Wkb legislation as well as the Dutch Civil Code (changed burden of proof for the builder, eds.), products and building processes with the KOMO quality mark show that building work is carried out correctly. Using products and processes that with the KOMO quality mark reduces quality assurance costs and shows that the right products and methods have been applied. The client, builder, certificate holder, subcontractor and the supplier all benefit. This enables the contractor to manage his/her/its burden of proof. The KOMO certificate proves its value in the Wkb pilot projects which have already started, and in those which are yet to start.”

Important steps in the area of sustainability
Important steps in the area of sustainability

What other developments are there in the world of KOMO certification?
“In general you can say that we anticipate market developments and changing legislation. For example, we are taking important steps in the area of sustainability. Assessment Guideline 7010 is a new addition to all currently used Assessment Guidelines on environmental data in the context of building sustainability. Certification for this new addition is available to all KOMO certificate holders through their usual certification body.


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Digitisation in the building and infrastructure sector is hot. What is KOMOs view on this?
“It can no longer be ignored. As a data-driven institution we seek collaboration with various organisations and initiatives to make KOMO Certificate and Assessment Guideline data accessible in the most efficient and effective way possible. For example, KOMO-online has a direct link to data bases such as Bouwbesluitonline.nl (Building Decree online), KennisID (access to your digital building and installation knowledge) and STABU (Standard Building Documents for Residential and Commercial Property). KOMO Online allows easy digital access to all KOMO Assessment Guidelines accompanied by the associated certificates and contract document specifications. KOMO online also has a link to the KiK tool software app from the Wkb instrument KiK.

In addition, KOMO is one of the 36 organisations participating in the national digitisation programme for the built environment, digiGO. It is an initiative to make (fast tracked) sector-wide agreements on the exchange, ownership and organisation of data and information in the building industry. We participate in digiGO’s fast tracked project ‘Traceable Building and Installation’. And we do of course support the developments of the DSGO programme. DSGO is a set of uniform agreements that ensures safe, reliable and controlled access to data in the built environment.”

A concluding remark?
“The environment in which KOMO operates is dynamic and interesting. KOMO tries to respond to these changing circumstances. And that makes our work challenging and appealing.”

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