AREA 2 – Practices of the Profession

In this work area, the ACE is dealing with main core issues for registered European Architects, such as: Public Procurement, Insurance requirement for cross-boarder practices and BIM. Moreover, the ACE is working on Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with parallel organisations at global scale to facilitate the export of Architectural services.  (cf. International Section).

Winning contracts to provide architectural services is the lifeblood of the architectural profession and it is therefore a matter of central policy concern to the ACE. Public procurement (where public funds are expended by government bodies or agencies in the construction of the built environment) is regulated by directives of the EU that set down strict rules to ensure fair competition between providers. Through its Work Groups, the ACE promotes high quality outcomes, requiring transposition of rules and best practice criteria.

In Europe, planning and building activities are subject to special regulations, which are based on general interest. The nature of these regulations, to which the stakeholders are bound, varies greatly from country to country. In all Member States of the EU, architects carry liability for the work they undertake. This liability arises from the duty of care that architects owe to their clients as well as to society in general. The ability to act independently of vested interests on behalf of society is a characteristic feature of liberal professions and much cherished by architects. Nevertheless, there is a need to ensure that the liability imposed on architects is balanced against the range of their duties and the influence an architect can exert on a project during his or her working life.  The Scope of Services Work group, which was later merged with the Liability and Insurance Work group in 2013, is are examining these issues in the light of new developments and requirements recently imposed by the European Union.

In view of growth of Building Information Modelling in various EU Member States, ACE has established a work group to look at the legal, technical and financial issues surrounding the advent of BIM, develop its policy and engage with work to develop an European (CEN) standard.

Regarding International Relations, ACE works on mutual recognition agreement with CALA (Canada), participates in on-going dialogue with NCARB (USA) facilitated by the EU Commission and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and follows up the EU-South Korea negotiations (cf. International Programme).