Committee on Registered Specialist Trade Contractors Scheme Chairperson's Message


Established in 2003, the Subcontractor Registration Scheme (SRS) was the first and only recognised registration scheme for subcontractors in Hong Kong. The SRS had successfully gathered a pool of experienced subcontractors with specialised skills over the past years. The establishment of the Registered Specialist Trade Contractors Scheme (RSTCS) in 2019 marked a significant milestone for the subcontractor management mechanism of Hong Kong.

The RSTCS uplifts and underpins the experience as well as professionalism of the registered specialist trade contractors of the designated trades through the comprehensive listing requirements in terms of safety, management, job experience, execution, finance and integrity management.  You are invited to visit the "Achievement Highlight" webpage in this website to get to know more about the sharing of experience in management, adoption of advanced technology and catalysing industry transformation by registered companies. The RSTCS puts strong emphasis on continuous professional development of the core team of the registered companies and supports them to keep abreast of the latest development so as to accelerate construction innovation and construction safety.  The RSTCS not only optimises the opportunities on further growth and development of specialist trade contractors, but also makes significant contributions in elevating them to venture into new dimensions of development in the days ahead.

While the registered specialist trade contractors enjoy a solid recognition through the RSTCS, subcontractors of other trade divisions shall continue to be registered subcontractors according to their job experience.

The RSTCS is well recognized by the Government, public organisations, developers, professional institutions and trade associations. By having the passionate support from the industry stakeholders, the RSTCS represents a significant step to make available a pool of competent and responsible specialist trade contractors for the benefit of the construction industry of Hong Kong at large.


Ir CHAN Chi-chiu
Chairperson, Committee on Registered Specialist Trade Contractors Scheme 

MILESTONES
2023
Addition of the Twelfth designated trade

The upgrade of Levelling & Setting Out trade as the twelfth designated trade for enhancing professionalism of industry is effective from 1 March 2023.

Enhancement of Registration Requirements for the First Eight designated trades

Key measures include requiring Group 2 registered companies to lift the qualifications and number of dedicated safety and management personnel and to have staff with BIM Viewer qualification, etc, with a view to enhancing the comprehensive capabilities and professionalism of the registered specialist trade contractors.

2022
Addition of the Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh designated trade

The upgrade of Suspended Ceiling and Tower Crane (Erecting, Dismantling and Altering Height) trade as the Ninth and Tenth designated trade for enhancing professionalism of industry is effective from 1 April 2022 while the upgrade of Building Drainage Installation trade as the Eleventh designated trade for enhancing professionalism of industry is effective from 1 September 2022.

2021
Addition of the Eighth designated trade

The upgrade of plastering trade as the eighth designated trade for enhancing professionalism of industry is effective from 1 January 2021.

Addition of "Integrity Management" as one of the core elements for registration
Along with the current registration requirements in terms of safety, management, job experience, execution and finance, "Integrity Management" is added as the sixth registration requirement in September 2021 to uplift professionalism of the industry.
2020
Imposition of tender limits on subcontracting under Public Works Contracts
Development Bureau and Housing Authority impose tender limits arrangement on subcontracts of seven designated trades in their works contracts to be tendered out on or after 1 October 2020 in accordance with the RSTCS.
2019
Establishment of "Registered Specialist Trade Contractors Scheme" (RSTCS)
The RSTCS uplifts the registration requirements of the seven designated trades in respect of safety, management, job experience, execution and finance. Registered subcontractors continue to be applicable for other civil, building, electrical and mechanical trades.
2013
Rename as
"Subcontractor Registration
Scheme" (SRS)
The rename was to indicate the broadening of the scope and coverage of the scheme, including facilitation of start-up companies to register with the scheme and enhancement of the registration requirements.
2009
CIC operated VSRS
The CIC took over and review the operation of the VSRS, aiming to enhance the scheme to continue improving the performance of subcontractors connected with the construction industry.
2003
Launch of "Voluntary Subcontractor Registration Scheme" (VSRS)
Based on the recommendations arising from the "Construct for Excellence" Report of the Construction Industry Review Committee, the Provisional Construction Industry Co-ordination Board implemented VSRS to build up a pool of capable and responsible subcontractors with specialised skills and strong professional competence.
OBJECTIVES
The Scheme aims to build up a pool of professional and committed trade contractors with specialised skills through recognised registration system for development of the construction industry.
BENEFITS OF REGISTRATION
Registered Companies
  • Enjoy enhanced recognition in pertinent trades by fulfilling the registration requirements and performance standard of the Scheme.
  • Strengthen incentives for the best performance through establishment of registration echelon.
  • Increase the visibility of the registered companies in tapping business opportunities by granting industry stakeholders’ access to the online Registers. 
  • Obtain the latest industry and the CIC news and updates to expand network and explore development opportunities. 

Industrial Stakeholders
  • Provide a set of common competency standards for the subcontracting, assist enterprises to improve project management and foster their manpower development.
  • Enhance overall standards of the industry and its professional image.
  • Set up a user-friendly online Registers to streamlining tendering procedures and contracts formulation for main contractors.
  • Provide an environment conducive to conducting business, to pool and nurture more talented Registered Specialist Trade Contractors and Subcontractors.
  • Increase the added value, productivity and competitiveness of construction industry and seize the opportunities in Greater Bay Area development.
CORE ELEMENTS FOR REGISTRATION
 
Safety
Management
Finance
Job Experience
Execution
Integrity Management
 
ADOPTION
The CIC received supports from many supporting organisations since implementation of the RSTCS in April 2019. With their enthusiastic responses, the provision of engagement of Registered Specialist Trade Contractors and Registered Subcontractors were subsequently incorporated into the relevant construction projects and contracts under a number of stakeholders. Please click here to download the Scheme Reference "Model Clauses for Engagement of Subcontractors registered from the RSTCS”.   

  • Development Bureau
  • The Hong Kong Construction Association 
  • Hong Kong Housing Authority
  • Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association
  • Airport Authority Hong Kong
  • The Hong Kong Registered Contractors Association 
  • Hong Kong Housing Society
  • Registered Specialist Trade Contractors Federation
  • MTR Corporation Limited
  • The Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors
  • Urban Renewal Authority
  • Hong Kong Bar-Bending Contractors Association
  • West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
  • Hong Kong Formwork Contractors Association 
  • The Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong
  • The Hong Kong Concretor Contractors Association
  • New World Construction Company Limited
  • Hong Kong Facade Association 

  • Hong Kong & Kowloon Scaffolders General Merchants Association 

  • The Association of Plastering Sub-Contractors Limited

  • Hong Kong Tower Crane Association

  • Hong Kong Architectural Ceiling Association

  • Hong Kong Plumbing and Sanitary Ware Trade Association

  • The Hong Kong Leveling Contractors Association