LNEC quality Mark (MQ LNEC)

What is MQ LNEC

The LNEC Quality Mark (MQ LNEC) for Construction Projects, created in 1990 by Decree-Law No. 310/90 of October 1, is the culmination of a quality certification process by LNEC that embodies an ambitious and innovative idea of applying modern quality management and assurance concepts to the projects in question, considered in an integrated way as final products of the entire construction process.

The diploma that created the MQ LNEC entrusted the LNEC with the responsibility of its concession and defined the principles and conditions to be respected for this purpose, specifying in particular the objectives and expected benefits, the conditions of access, the scope, the participants in the process, and the general requirements of this concession.

Characteristics and objectives of MQ LNEC

As a construction project is the result of the building process, the certification of its quality must cover the different phases of this process, from conception and design to the execution of the work, including the materials, components, and construction equipment used in it

General Quality Managers (GQMs) are qualified by project category and class and must submit their application in accordance with the application instructions provided.

Three categories of projects have been established:

1st - Buildings and built heritage

2nd - Communication routes, urbanization works, and other infrastructures (includes sanitation works)

3rd - Hydraulic works (includes the following works: river works and hydraulic developments, port works, coastal protection works, dams and dikes, dredging and outfalls)

and, for each category, eight classes of work value (see GGQ list).

Other information about MQ LNEC

For more information, it is suggested to consult the LNEC publication "Quality certification of construction projects and the LNEC Quality Mark" (COM92), available at the LNEC Bookstore. The LNEC Quality Mark is voluntary and is provided to public or private construction projects for which, in the initial phase of the construction process, the respective project owners request its concession.

With the concession of the MQ LNEC, the following objectives are aimed at:

• The implementation of a general quality assurance plan to comply with the applicable contractual, legal, and regulatory provisions and technical specifications, as well as the practice of good rules.
• increased levels of satisfaction concerning the requirements demanded in the legislation.
• the reduction of the risk of damages associated with projects, namely due to anomalies in the construction process;
• favorable conditions for reducing liability and construction insurance premiums.

Participating entities

In addition to LNEC, as the granting entity, and the project owners, as the beneficiary entities of the mark, companies qualified by LNEC as General Quality Managers of projects (GGQ) also participate in the process leading to its attribution by the criteria defined generically in Decree-Law No. 310/90. 

Requirements for the concession of MQ LNEC

The concession of the LNEC Quality Mark to a project presupposes compliance with the following fundamental requirements:

• appointment, by the project owner, of a General Quality Manager of projects (GGQ), qualified by LNEC for this purpose;
• preparation by the GGQ and approval by LNEC of a General Quality Assurance Plan, which must include all domains and aspects inherent to the realization of the project throughout its various phases;
• declaration of conformity issued by the GGQ at the end of the work, attesting to the fulfillment of the objectives of the General Quality Assurance Plan.
• homologation of this declaration by LNEC.

Qualification of General Quality Managers

General Quality Managers are qualified by LNEC through the Registration and Classification Section of the Brand Management Committee, where various external organisations are represented. To be qualified, QMGs must fulfil the following requirements:

• carrying out the activity of general quality management of construction projects as part of the company's corporate purpose.
• suitability;
• technical capacity, demonstrated by present and past activity, by the curricula of the permanent technical staff, by the organizational structure, by the size and by the means of action available, including specialized personnel;
• organizational structure contemplating an adequate quality management system, considering this requirement satisfied when the company has obtained certification following standard NP EN ISO 9001.