Spain: Regulator urges more competition in Architecture

Spanish competition regulator CNMC has said it considers national regulation on architects to be particularly restrictive when compared to other nearby countries. Some of the obstacles highlighted by the authority include the requirement for compulsory licensing and equivalent effect measures.

The CNMC lamented that the project seems to set out from a concept of architecture as requiring compulsory licensing, and recommends rethinking the need for this automatic assumption. The report also proposes a reevaluation of equivalent effect measures, such as exclusive institutional representation and limiting the lists of official Judicial Consultants to licensed architects only.

Finally, the report proposes a reevaluation of other restrictions on professional activity. Specifically, it mentions the minimum requirements set on the quality of proposals, the use of consulting over contract conditions, quality control and workplace inspection, as well as the need for agreements with public authorities requiring documentary proof of technical requirements and adherence to applicable law.

Full content: CNMC

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