31 March 2020 Remote signing of Certificates – Guidance during COVID-19 pandemic

SER certificates are generated as protected pdfs and current SER procedures require “wet” signatures from both the Approved Certifier and the Certification Coordinator representing the Approved Body. As Approved Body offices are now closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic with employees working from home, an alternative solution needs to be found for situations where the certificate cannot be printed, signed and scanned. Following discussions with the Scottish Government Building Standards Division, it has been agreed that certificates can be accepted unsigned on a temporary basis due to COVID-19 provided they are accompanied by the attached Confirmation of Signature Forms from both the Approved Certifier and the Certification Coordinator for the Approved Body, which should be signed electronically.  See under the Resource Library for these supporting documents - https://www.labss.org/publications/bsd-advice-special-measures-remote-signing-certificates-during-covid-19-pandemic