The 2018 Building Act took effect on 15 January 2019 and in essence, seeks to discourage new squatter settlements from being built, promote sustainable development, and establish and enforce internationally accepted building standards and rules for individuals and entities providing construction material and services.

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica and the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority are supporting the government in this area of safety and quality control.

Provisions in the Building Act include ensuring public safety and welfare, ensuring the accessibility and safety for individuals with disabilities and promoting sustainable development.

For example, sections 48 to 58 of the Act, speaks to giving the local authorities clear powers to intervene through Emergency Orders to cease building work on land that is deemed to be hazardous.

The Act has been nearly a decade in the making, but is widely welcomed by Engineers, members of the Construction industry and other stakeholders.