Our Panel of recognised Engineers to the Contract (EtC)
This Panel of Recognised Engineers to the Contract (EtC) ran as a pilot project by Engineering New Zealand, in association with the Construction Sector Accord, from 2022 to early 2024.
At the end of January 2024, the EtC Panel became part of the Society of Construction Contract Practitioners (SCCP), a self-governing and self-financing technical group under the auspices of Engineering New Zealand. The SCCP offers membership to a wider range of contract administration participants. It welcomes applications from EtCs and Independent Certifiers who wish to be evaluated and included alongside existing Panel members, to foster contract administration excellence.
What's an Engineer to the Contract?
EtCs play a vital role in the delivery of building and civil engineering construction projects as set out in the New Zealand Standard 3910 Conditions of contract for building and civil engineering construction. Under the NZS 3910 version of the contract, EtCs fulfil a dual role. They act as the principal’s agent, and as an independent certifier, moderating the interests of the contractor and the principal in building and construction contracts. They also adjudicate where necessary. An EtC doesn't need to be an engineer but must be a natural person (not a company).
A substantial revision of NZS 3910 took place during 2022 and 2023.This resulted in changes to the roles and responsibilities of the EtC, including the title – an EtC in the revised version is now referred to as an Independent Certifier (IC). NZS 3910:2023 was published in December 2023.
Changes to the EtC Panel
The Panel was set up under the administration of Engineering New Zealand in a joint venture with the Construction Sector Accord. In its pilot phase, it was governed by a cross-industry Steering Group, with members appointed after a comprehensive, cross-stakeholder evaluation process.
Engineers to the Contract on the EtC Panel were recognised as having the professional skills and mana to be highly effective in the role. Their collective experience covered all sectors of the construction industry.
All members signed up to a Code of Ethics and supported each other within the group. They were also expected to apply the Construction Sector Accord’s Guiding Principles.
If you're a principal looking to engage an EtC for your horizontal or vertical construction project under NZS 3910, you can access a growing list of Panel members through the searchable directory on the SCCP website.
