Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
RICS is a global standards and membership organisation for professionals involved in land, property, construction and environmental issues. RICS have 120,000 members in 146 countries, 400 degree level courses, 500 paper and policy papers published annually and 50 national associations. RICS promote best practice, represent consumers' interests and provide impartial advice to society, businesses, governments and global organisations.
RICS is accountable to both the public and their members and has three main roles; to maintain the highest standards of education and training; to protect consumers through strict regulation of professional standards; to provide a source of information and independent advice on land, property, construction and associated environmental issues.
RICS works alongside the Construction Industry Council (CIC) to promote sustainable construction at all levels from within the industry and government. RICS provide guidance on sustainable construction by promoting reuse, reclamation and recycling of waste materials. By implementing schemes such as these around 60 - 80% of waste from a construction site could be diverted.
To assist the construction industry to develop these initiatives, RICS provide a number of research reports and books on their website relating to resource efficiency in construction. They also have eight discussion forums open to members.
Additionally, RICS produces the Building Construction Journal. This publication is read by members of the Quantity Surveying & Construction, and Project Management faculties. The journal is published bi monthly and is available in hard copy with 36,000 copies distributed to RICS members or online. The journal includes features on a variety of technical, business practice, research and regulatory issues.
Guidance is also provided on sustainable construction. A dedicated area of the RICS website highlights forthcoming events, recent pieces of research of benefit to the industry and also offers comment on news and current topics.
Membership to RICS is graded and the annual subscription is priced accordingly, ranging from free memberships for students in RICS accredited degrees and diplomas, to £450 for senior professionals. Concessionary memberships are also available.