Group B Code Changes Update

The code development process for the 2021 International Codes is in its final stages. The code hearings are complete, and last month the International Code Council released the preliminary results from the Group B Online Governmental Consensus Vote (OGCV).

The Validation Committee is in the process of validating the results. This committee is appointed by the Code Council Board of Directors and is comprised of experienced participants in the code development process. They have already confirmed that the information technology infrastructure worked correctly and was secure and free from malicious errors.

Code Council staff are working with the Validation Committee to examine issues raised in two letters – one from Thomas Zaremba, Partner at Roetzel & Andress, and the other from Leading Builders of America. These letters ask for further clarification about the voting results with respect to energy efficiency code changes and the voter validation process.

We are conducting an audit and review as is a normal part of our code development process to assure accuracy. Our consensus-based process is designed to be transparent, open and balanced, and we are handling these requests quickly and thoroughly.

This cycle had more participants than any previous cycle. Our members considered 388 code changes at the Public Comment Hearings (PCH) and OGCV. Over 240,000 votes were cast at the combined PCH and OGCV.

We will continue to provide regular updates as these requests are resolved.