International Code Council Evaluation Service and Saudi Building Code National Committee Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Facilitate Safe Use of Innovative Building Systems and Products
ICC-ES and the Saudi Building Code National Committee have established a strategic collaboration to elevate building safety and drive innovation in the construction industry.
As a leading organization in building safety, the International Code Council emphasizes the importance of prioritizing safety as the building industry continues to adopt new methods of construction. This is particularly relevant for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which has been characterized by rapid growth and development through giga-projects and increased infrastructure development.
The Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), renowned for its expertise in code compliance and development of acceptance criteria for innovative products, is well-positioned to assist relevant authorities in KSA by providing product certification service for innovative systems through the issuance of Evaluation Service Reports (ESRs).
Facilitate Safe Use of Innovative Building Systems and Products
ICC-ES and the Saudi Building Code National Committee (SBCNC) have established a strategic collaboration to elevate building safety and drive innovation in the construction industry. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both organizations aim to ensure the safe use of innovative and sustainable building systems and designs while maintaining high safety standards.
This partnership will work on unifying compliance efforts, fostering trust among stakeholders and encouraging innovative products as alternative solutions. Under the MoU, ICC-ES will subject relevant products to a comprehensive evaluation against the International Building Code® (IBC) and the Saudi Building Code (SBC) as required.
This evaluation process assures stakeholders that products meet applicable codes and normative documents, instilling confidence and facilitating market access.
Recognizing the critical need to align market access with peace of mind, the Code Council and SBCNC will work on establishing a framework for efficient and effective proof of compliance. The strategic partnership is a significant milestone, showcasing both entities’ mutual commitment in promoting/advocating safe and innovative construction practices in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
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About the Author
Mohamed Amer works as the regional director of operations for the MENA region with the International Code Council. With over 15 years of professional experience in oil/gas, project management, and TIC industries, he leads the ICC’s operations and business development aspects in the MENA through several engagement levers and demand drivers, to help deploy/lead/facilitate ICC’s service lines and actions for new business offerings across its family of solutions spectrum. Amer holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master's degree in engineering management, both from the American University of Sharjah.
