Cabinet Approves Amendment to Building Standards Enforcement Order
Overview
On September 11, 2026, the Cabinet approved an amendment to the Building Standards Enforcement Order to promote the smooth supply of housing and the introduction of new equipment while ensuring building safety. The amendment adds categories to type conformity certification, rationalizes the scope of daylighting, fire, and evacuation regulations, and rationalizes total-quantity controls on hazardous materials in use districts. It will be promulgated on September 16, 2026, and take effect on November 1, 2026.
Key points
- The Cabinet approved an amendment to the Building Standards Enforcement Order.
- A category concerning conformity with provisions on structural strength was added to type conformity certification.
- The scope of daylighting, fire, and evacuation regulations was rationalized.
- Total-quantity controls on hazardous materials in use districts were rationalized.
Overview
In light of changes in the supply environment for building materials in recent years and the accumulation of technical knowledge, a review will be conducted to advance the rationalization of building regulations while ensuring building safety. The areas covered are the type conformity certification system, daylighting regulations, fire and evacuation regulations, and total-quantity controls on hazardous materials in use districts.
The Order aims to promote the smooth supply of housing and the introduction of new equipment while ensuring building safety.
Impact
The amendment will promote the smooth supply of housing and the introduction of new equipment while ensuring building safety.
Details
A type concerning conformity with provisions on the structural strength of buildings will be added to type conformity certification. For building materials that are difficult to procure, this will enable a flexible response combining the omission of examinations with individual confirmation examinations.
Under daylighting regulations, child welfare facilities and similar facilities where there is no health-related impediment, due in part to users' short stays, will be excluded from the scope. Under fire and evacuation regulations, buildings that pose no impediment after considering their structure, use, and surrounding conditions will also be excluded. Specific standards will be established separately by notification.
Under total-quantity controls on hazardous materials in use districts, compressed gas and flammable gas stored or processed by equipment that uses compressed gas or flammable gas as fuel, or similar equipment, and conforms to standards set by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as posing no safety or fire-prevention impediment, will be excluded from hazardous materials subject to the Act's use restrictions.