Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to primary navigation Skip to secondary navigation
Building Performance
Site search

Popular searches

  1. Why contracts are valuable
    Consumer protection measures
  2. Use licensed people for restricted building work
    Choosing the right people for your type of building work
  3. Work that doesn't require a building consent
    Schedule 1 guidance
  4. Post-emergency building assessment
  5. Determinations
    Rulings on building work disputes
  6. E2 External moisture
    Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods
 
Menu Search

New code of ethics for LBPs is now in force

Posted: 25 October 2022

LBP code of ethics is here
The new code of ethics for Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs) is enforceable by the Building Practitioners Board from 25 October 2022.

The code of ethics will ensure high standards are maintained in the industry, while giving the public more confidence that LBPs are reputable and operate ethically.

The Government announced a new code of ethics for LBPs in October 2021, with a 12 month transition period before it became enforceable.

The code of ethics will ensure high standards are maintained in the industry, while giving the public more confidence that LBPs are undertaking building work in a safe, legal, and professional way, and that they will take responsibility for their work.

Most LBPs already work to the highest professional and ethical standards, so formalising this into a code of ethics aligns the LBP scheme with international best practice. It also provides clear grounds for the Building Practitioners Board to take disciplinary action against LBPs who behave unprofessionally.

The code of ethics is made up of nineteen standards, which sit under the following four key principles:

  • work safely
  • act within the law
  • take responsibility for your actions
  • behave professionally.

If an LBP does not comply with their obligations under the code of ethics, a complaint can be made against them which may result in disciplinary action by the Building Practitioners Board. Complaints about someone breaching the code of ethics can only be made if the breach takes place on or after 25 October 2022.

The LBP website has information and education resources available to help LBPs, and consumers who have commissioned an LBP, understand the requirements of the code of ethics and LBPs’ obligations under it. This includes a detailed guidance document which provides information about the principles and standards and an interactive online learning module. The module takes 20-30 minutes to complete and can count towards an LBP's skills maintenance activities (note: LBPs must log in to the module for it to count towards skills maintenance).

Code of ethics – lbp.govt.nz

Code of ethics resources – lbp.govt.nz

Breaching the code of ethics – lbp.govt.nz

Tags in this article

Top

This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: