FAQ

What is the LNEC Quality Mark (MQ LNEC) for construction projects?

The LNEC Quality Mark is a voluntary certification system for construction projects, which aims to ensure high levels of requirement satisfaction in the projects to which it is granted.

What legislation supports the LNEC Quality Mark?

LNEC Quality Mark was created by Decree-Law No. 310/90, of October 1, which establishes the conditions for its concession to construction projects.

What are the advantages for a project owner in obtaining the LNEC Quality Mark for a project?

The MQ LNEC aims to improve the technical, social, and economic performance of the projects to which it is granted. The main benefits include the following

• Ensures the implementation of a General Quality Assurance Plan (PGGQ) to satisfy the applicable legal, contractual, and regulatory provisions, as well as comply with the technical specifications and the practice of good rules of the art in the realization of the projects.
• Reducing the risk of damage associated with the project, namely due to anomalies in the construction process.

What projects can be certified with the MQ LNEC?

The MQ LNEC can be used to certify all construction projects that are wholly or partly financed by central or local government, public-private partnerships or state concessionaires, as well as all projects that are subject to licensing.

Who can request certification of a project with the LNEC Quality Mark?

The application of MQ LNEC certification to a specific construction project must be requested from LNEC at the beginning of the construction process by the respective project owner.

What is the financial cost to the project owner of assigning the MQ LNEC to a project?

The overall cost is calculated by applying the rate of 20% to the amount of fees related to the project of the work, stipulated in the legislation in force on fees in public works projects.

What is a General Quality Manager (GGQ) of the LNEC Quality Mark?

A General Quality Manager (GGQ) of the LNEC Quality Mark is a technical construction control entity that, within the scope of a project certification process with the MQ LNEC, carries out the coordination and quality management of the project, having to be previously qualified by LNEC for this purpose.

Within the scope of the certification of a project with the MQ LNEC, who chooses the GGQ?

The General Quality Manager of a project is chosen and hired by the project owner from among the entities qualified by LNEC as GGQ, taking into account the category and class of work value in which the project fits.

What is necessary for a technical construction control entity to be registered and qualified by LNEC as a General Quality Manager?

The registration and qualification by LNEC of an entity such as GGQ must be requested from LNEC by the entity, with the indication of the category(ies) and respective class(es) of work value in which it intends to be qualified.

The documentation to be presented is indicated in the Application Instructions. (Document in Portuguese)

For what categories of projects and classes of work value is a General Quality Manager qualified?

The categories of projects are as follows:

• 1st Category – Buildings and Built Heritage
• 2nd Category – Communication Routes, Urbanization Works, and other Infrastructures
• 3rd Category – Hydraulic Works

It should be noted that essential sanitation works are included in the 2nd Category and that the 3rd Category consists of the following works: river works and hydraulic developments, port works, coastal protection works, dams, dikes, dredging, and outfalls.

The classes of work value are fixed annually based on an Ordinance and, from August 24, 2022, are as follows:

• Class 4 – Up to 3,200,000 Euros
• Class 5 – Up to 6,400,000 Euros
• Class 6 – Up to 12,500,000 Euros
• Class 7 – Up to 19,000,000 Euros
• Class 8 – Above 19,000,000 Euros

Which companies are currently qualified by LNEC as GGQ?

The list of entities qualified by LNEC as GGQ can be consulted here (document in portuguese). This list indicates the category and respective class of work value for which the GGQ are qualified.

What are the costs involved in the registration and qualification of an entity as a General Quality Manager?

The costs of registering and qualifying an entity as a General Quality Manager are established in Decree-Law No. 310/90, article 8, No. 11, paragraph a).

In addition to these registration and qualification costs, GGQ will subsequently have to bear annual charges corresponding to 1/5 of those values, following the provisions of article 8, No. 11, paragraph c) of the same Decree-Law.

These costs are indexed to the limits of the work value classes, fixed annually by the Ordinance. The following table shows the registration costs and the annual fee based on the value of the class limits in force on August 24, 2022:

MISSING TABLE

According to the Ordinance in force, it is mentioned, by way of example, that a General Quality Manager who is registered and qualified in classes 5, 6, and 4, respectively, in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Categories, will have to bear the following charges:

• Registration and qualification (€): 640.00 + 1,280.00 + 320.00 = 2,240.00

• Annual fee (€): 128.00 + 256.00 + 64.00 = 448.00

After registering the entity as a General Quality Manager, is it necessary to carry out periodic renewals?

Yes. All registration and qualification processes are mandatorily reviewed every two years, and GGQ is notified for this purpose.

Do the biennial reviews of registration and qualification as GGQ have costs?

If there is no increase in the previously assigned class, there is no cost to be borne by the GGQ in the biennial review process.

If there is an increase in the assigned class, the GGQ will have to pay a cost corresponding to the difference between the two classes (current and previous), in accordance with the provisions of Decree-Law No. 310/90, article 8, No. 11, paragraph b).

According to the Ordinance in force, it is mentioned, by way of example, that a General Quality Manager who is registered and qualified in classes 5, 6, and 4, respectively in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Categories and who is subsequently reclassified in classes 7, 7 and 4, respectively in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Categories, will have to bear the following charges:

• Reclassification (€): (2,500.00 - 640.00) + (2,500.00 - 1,280.00) = 3,080.00
• Annual fee (€): 500.00 + 500.00 + 64.00 = 1,064.00

What is the average time to obtain registration and qualification as GGQ?

The time for registration and qualification of an entity as GGQ is about three to six months, after receipt of the request and respective documentation.

Who evaluates and qualifies the entities that apply to GGQ?

The evaluation of applications is carried out by the Registration and Classification Section of the LNEC Quality Mark Commission (SIC/MQ LNEC), and the registration processes and respective qualifications are decided in plenary meetings of the said Section.

How is the Registration and Classification Section of the LNEC Quality Mark Commission constituted?

The Registration and Classification Section is constituted by representatives of various departmental units of LNEC (approximately half of the members of the Section) and by representatives of external entities (public administration bodies, associations of designers and consultants, and public companies) with relevant activity in the construction area.

Which entities cannot qualify as General Quality Manager?

The profile of General Quality Manager of the LNEC Quality Mark does not include contractors and suppliers of public works, as well as industrialists and tradesmen in the construction and real estate sectors, even if these activities are carried out in an accessory manner.

To be qualified as a General Quality Manager, must a company have a Quality Management System certified by an entity accredited for this purpose?

Although preferable, it is not mandatory. However, if the SGQ is not certified by an accredited entity, the company must demonstrate that it has an implemented Quality System