POLISH CHAMBER OF CIVIL ENGINEERS (PIIB)

Polish Chamber of Civil Engineers (PIIB) is one of the most numerous professional self-government in Poland – it twins almost 120 000 persons.

The Chamber was brought to life on the basis of the act dated 15 December 2000 on the professional self-government of architects, civil engineers and urban planners, and it constitutes in accordance with art. 17 sec. 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland – professional self-government of architects and technicians, carrying out independent technical functions in the construction industry. Designers, site or operation managers, construction site inspectors perform these functions. Proper education and practice is essential to serve these functions.

The tasks of the Polish Chamber of Civil Engineers involve in the first place, supervision over proper performance of the profession by members of the Chamber, and representation and protection of their professional interests. Polish Chamber of Civil Engineers formulates the rules of professional ethics and makes sure that the rules are observed. The Chamber grants construction licences for carrying out independent technical functions in the construction industry. It is also held responsible for the recognition of professional qualifications of foreigners. The right to practise a profession certified with a licence is only granted to persons entered into the list of members of the Chamber. The representatives of the Chamber are engaged in passing opinions about the minimum educational requirements in respect of the professional education of construction engineers, and making applications on these matters.

The representatives of the Chamber have cooperated with the government administration bodies and territorial self-government and other professional self-governments and trade associations. The representatives of the Chamber participate in passing opinions of regulatory acts concerning construction.

The Chamber regularly cooperates with technical colleges and institutes in respect of trainings and professional relationships. It takes part in co-organisation of national conferences and other forms of scientific and technical meetings. It organises numerous training in new legal regulations, tender procedures, new standards, building materials, construction technology, etc.

Organisational units of self-government of civil engineers are the following: Polish Chamber of Civil Engineers (National Office) with the registered office in Warsaw, and 6 district chambers.

The Chamber is a co-founder of ECEC – European Council of Engineers Chambers, twinning 10 countries: Austria, Croatia, Montenegro, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, and Serbia.

The Chamber takes part in the works of ECCE – European Council of Civil Engineers, grouping the industry scientific and technical associations from 28 countries, as well as with FEANI – European Federation of National Engineering Associations.

Thans to making good contacts with ASCE – American Society of Civil Engineers, in 2005 an agreement on mutual co-operation between the Chamber and ASCE was signed. The Chamber made contacts with the British Institution of Civil Engineers. The Agreement of Co-operation entered into obliges both parties to reciprocal co-operation, including among other things, technical consulting which is especially important for Polish engineers working in the UK.