Launch of public consultation process in relation to the standardisation of apertures of residential buildings in Malta

The Ministry for Public Works and Planning, as through the Building and Construction Authority, has launched a public consultation process in relation to the standardisation of apertures of residential buildings in Malta. These standards are the result of Malta’s commitments to the EU, in order to be in line with measures which require the introduction of standards for the dimensions of internal and external apertures of residential dwellings.

Minister for Public Works and Planning, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, stated that last year, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) had published the Construction and Demolition Waste Strategy for Malta, a strategy to tackle Malta’s construction waste problem, which will give priority to establishing waste disposal standards for the building industry and introducing a regulatory framework for managing such waste.

“We are now working on introducing one of the measures included in this strategy, that is the setting up of standards on dimensions of internal and external apertures of residential dwellings with the aim to encourage the re-use of fittings, as well as reduce diversification, bringing about economies of scale”, Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi said. The Minister emphasized that these standards are being proposed as following consultations with the ERA, the Planning Authority and the Building Industry Consultative Council.

“The Building and Construction Authority has carried out the necessary process for the drafting of these standards. Compliance with these standards shall be an essential requirement for the issuing of an executable development permit by the Planning Authority. These standards shall be incorporated within the regulatory framework, and a Legal Notice shall be published following the conclusion of the consultation necessary in conjunction with these standards.”

Jesmond Muscat, Building and Construction Authority’s CEO, said that the Authority will play a central role in the setting of these standards as it will be conducting a public consultation. “Through this process, the authority will be in a position to understand better the opinions of producers and designers of apertures in line with the government’s aim of setting the path towards an efficient and effective construction and development waste management system.”

The CEO stressed that the authority will be presenting a technical document, which would be available online on bca.org.mt, so that the public and relevant stakeholders can formulate an opinion, as based on independent assessments. Stakeholders and the general public are encouraged to participate in this consultation process. One could find more information on the Building and Construction Authority website and submit comments and suggestions via email on: bca.consultation@bca.org.mt. The public consultation process will come to an end on 28 November 2022 respectively.