BCA announces new firm-based licensing regime for certification of lifts and escalators and supervision of structural works
29 September 2025
On 3 September 2025, the Building and Construction Authority (“BCA”) issued a press release announcing a new firm-based licensing regime aimed at raising the quality and safety standards for both building works and lift and escalator systems. This new firm-based licensing regime is intended to replace BCA’s current regulatory framework that requires developers and building owners to appoint individual professionals for certification for lifts and escalators and supervision of structural work.
Under the new framework, developers and building owners will be required to appoint BCA-licensed firms for: (1) projects valued above S$75 million; and
(2) modern lift and escalator systems designed and installed in accordance with SS550:2009 (the code of practice for installation, operation, and maintenance of electric passenger and goods lifts) and SS626:2017 (the code of practice for design, installation, and maintenance of escalators and moving walks) or later versions of the standards, excluding home lifts (that is, lifts, excluding stairlifts or vertical platform lifts, not being common property, installed in a private home solely for the use of its occupants).
To obtain a BCA licence, firms must first secure accreditation from the Singapore Accreditation Council. These firms must demonstrate technical expertise, experienced staffing, robust quality assurance and governance systems, and structured training and career development programmes. BCA states in its press release that this approach will strengthen safety and quality through stronger institutional governance and the sharing of specialist expertise, and will help develop and retain talent in the built environment sector.
Developers and building owners should be aware of the implementation timelines for the new mandatory licensing regime. The new firm-based licensing regime will be implemented in 2027 for the certification of lifts and escalators, and in 2028 for supervision of structural works. BCA encourages developers and building owners to engage accredited firms ahead of mandatory implementation.
Individual professionals may continue to provide services for projects or lift systems that are outside the scope of the new licensing regime, that is, older lift and escalators systems certified based on codes before SS550:2009 and SS626:2017 and projects not exceeding S$75 million.
Reference materials
The following materials are available on the BCA website www.bca.gov.sg: