The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has rolled out new measures to accelerate the transformation of Singapore’s built environment sector. Speaking at the BuildSG LEAD Summit on 30 April 2026, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat unveiled these initiatives as part of the Action Team to Improve Built Environment Productivity’s efforts to create a more pro-enterprise ecosystem and drive further productivity gains.

Faster approval process for Kit-of-Parts method

One of the initiatives is the introduction of buildability type approval, a new regulatory pathway that will benefit developers and project teams adopting the Kit-of-Parts (KoP) approach – described by some as the ‘Lego bricks’ approach, noted Mr Chee – across their projects.

The KoP approach involves the use of pre-designed and prefabricated standard building components for multiple projects to reap greater efficiencies in manufacturing and assembly. While the components may be standardised, consultants can vary their building layouts and facade designs to differentiate their projects and cater to users’ needs.

Examples of possible pre-designed parts include architectural elements (e.g. facade walls and parapet walls), structural elements (e.g. household shelters, bathroom units and staircases), and mechanical and electrical (M&E) elements (e.g. integrated M&E ducts).

From 30 April 2026, developers will only need to submit a design standardisation plan (DSP) outlining typical spatial grids and sizes, and a catalogue of standardised/modularised parts once for BCA’s acceptance, instead of making individual buildability and constructability submissions for multiple projects using the same KoP.

“The buildability type approval for the KoP approach enables a pre-validated regulatory pathway through the cataloguing of repetitive designs that shortens the design-to-approval cycle,” explained Aaron Foong, managing director of KTP Consultants. “This initiative elevates engineering design productivity by systematising routine processes and improving consistency across the supply chain delivery.”

With this streamlined approval process, consultants are expected to save around 320 man-hours per project. The KoP approach is anticipated to decrease precast component manufacturing costs by at least 10% and manpower needs by at least 20%. In addition, it could facilitate access to a greater variety of precast sources.

Major public sector developers are in the process of adopting the KoP approach. For example, the Housing & Development Board (HDB) is developing an enhanced precast components catalogue (EPCC) comprising building components with established specifications such as standard dimensions, material content and connection details. The Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Health Holdings (MOHH), the Land Transport Authority (LTA), and JTC are also embarking on similar efforts for schools, healthcare facilities, commuter facilities (e.g. bus shelters and covered walkways), industrial buildings, and workers’ dormitories, respectively.

“We will also review how we can incentivise more private sector developers to adopt the Kit-of-Parts approach,” added Mr Chee. “BCA will work with our developers on this to get your ideas and feedback, so that we can co-create a set of incentives that will fit well with your commercial and operational needs.”

From an operational perspective, Tan Poh Tuck, executive director of building construction at Teambuild Engineering and Construction, pointed out that “precast standardisation enhances efficiency across the entire value chain. In our precast operations under Integrated Precast Solutions Pte Ltd, it enables better mould reuse, production planning and resource optimisation, which directly improves throughput and reduces wastage.

“On site, Teambuild Engineering and Construction benefits from simplified installation processes, and potentially shorter cycle times, contributing to safer and more predictable project delivery. Importantly, standardisation also supports scalability and industry-wide adoption of advanced technologies. Whether it is automation in precast production, digital design integration, or robotics on site, these solutions are far more effective when working with standardised components and workflows.”

Reduced time for hiring new workers

To expedite the process of bringing in new workers, BCA announced that the mandatory pre-entry Skills Evaluation Certificate (Knowledge) (SEC(K) testing in source countries will cease for China and Thailand in January 2027, before being extended to all source countries in January 2028. Firms will soon be able to bring in new construction work permit holders (WPHs) directly and obtain the SEC(K) locally.

“Given the strong construction demand in the coming years, it is important that we find ways to facilitate a smoother and more expedient inflow of skilled new construction workers, and to ensure better job-skills fit,” said Mr Chee.

From January 2028 onwards, to be eligible for work permit renewals, new construction WPHs must pass the SEC(K) in Singapore within one year from work permit issuance. Firms will be required to reserve a test slot before the workers enter Singapore.

For new construction WPHs brought in without SEC(K), firms will pay the prevailing R2 (basic-skilled) levy rate for the first six months. These WPHs must pass the SEC(K) conducted in Singapore within this period to maintain the levy rate. Otherwise, the firms will be liable for a higher levy rate after the six-month grace period.

This enhancement will significantly reduce hiring timelines from the current four months to about one month, while maintaining the quality of new workers. It will also provide greater flexibility for firms to conduct on-the-job training that best meets their projects’ needs. At the same time, BCA will adjust testing capacity in Singapore to ensure that new construction WPHs can obtain the SEC(K) locally and in a timely manner.

To recruit new construction WPHs with skills on par with SEC(K) standards, firms can tap on alternative entry pathways (AEP):

• Firms can bring in new construction WPHs who possess vocational certifications recognised by BCA. As their skills have been proven to be on par with existing standards, these workers will not be required to obtain SEC(K) overseas or locally.

• Firms seeking to source new workers beyond BCA-recognised vocational certifications can also apply to BCA to pilot their own pathways under AEP, by demonstrating how they intend to select and train better-quality construction WPHs in specific trades.

According to BCA, all new construction workers are still required to pass the ‘Apply Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) in Construction Sites’ course before work permits can be issued. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and BCA are reviewing the need for additional safeguards to ensure that WSH standards continue to be upheld under the new arrangement.

Further information, including registration for local testing, will be shared in due course to prepare firms for the upcoming changes.

Annual public agency ratings by consultants

In May 2026, BCA will launch a new annual rating survey for consultants working on public sector projects to provide feedback on public sector agencies’ practices. Together with the prevailing Consultants Performance Appraisal System (CPAS) that allows public agencies to rate consultancy firms, the two-way feedback is expected to help both parties improve their respective practices and deliver better projects to benefit the public.

“The reciprocal feedback system is a positive step towards enhancing transparency and collaboration across public sector procurement,” said Er Chuck Kho, president of the Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore. “By enabling open, two-way dialogue, it empowers both agencies and consultants to drive continuous improvement and achieve greater project outcomes together.”

“We want to promote a more collaborative relationship,” stressed Mr Chee. “True collaboration has to include the openness and the willingness to listen to feedback, even though some of them may not be positive feedback, but they are constructive feedback to help us to improve.”

Image: Ministry of National Development (MND)