SOA Category OG1
OG1 edifici civili e industriali

SOA Category OG1

Everything you need for civil and industrial buildings

The OG1 category – covering civil and industrial buildings is one of the most significant SOA qualifications in the construction sector. It includes all activities related to the construction, renovation, and maintenance of buildings intended for human use, along with all structural, mechanical, electrical, and finishing components. Typical OG1 projects include residential buildings, schools, hospitals, office buildings, theatres, stadiums, shopping centers, industrial warehouses, and railway stations. For construction companies, obtaining this qualification means access to the most common public tenders and a stronger position in the private market, where SOA certification is widely viewed as a symbol of reliability, competence, and organizational capacity.

OG1

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A sector-wide qualification spanning the entire building industry

OG1 covers civil and industrial buildings equipped with load‑bearing structures, exterior enclosures, electrical systems, plumbing, mechanical installations, technological systems, and all architectural finishes. It is a broad, cross‑sector qualification that encompasses much of the building industry:

  • Residential construction: apartment complexes, villas, public housing, structural rehabilitation.
  • Public and institutional buildings: schools, hospitals, administrative offices, courthouses, barracks, correctional facilities.
  • Commercial and service-sector buildings: shopping malls, hotels, theatres, museums, stadiums, airport terminals, and railway stations.
  • Industrial and logistics facilities: warehouses, factories, storage depots, and integrated logistics platforms.
  • Building components within major infrastructure contracts: station buildings and terminals within railway or airport projects.

For companies, OG1 is a strategic milestone: it gives access to numerous public tenders and strengthens credibility in the private sector. To obtain it, firms must demonstrate technical and organizational capability, appropriate equipment, and completed works of a similar nature. Costs vary depending on the class of certification requested.

Related categories that commonly integrate with OG1

  • OS28– heating, ventilation, and air‑conditioning systems
  • OS30 – electrical systems
  • OS3 – plumbing and sanitary systems (including indoor firefighting and sewer networks)
  • OS6 – finishing works in wood, metal, or glass (windows, façades, light carpentry)
  • OS21 – special structural works (deep foundations, piling, soil consolidation)
  • OS32 – load‑bearing timber structures (e.g., X‑Lam buildings)

When working on buildings subject to historic or artistic protection, the relevant category becomes OG2. For linear infrastructure such as roads and bridges, OG3 applies.

Technical Datasheets (PDF)

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FAQ

FAQ
SOA Category OG1

What is the official “declaratory” of OG1?

The official OG1 declaratory defines the category as covering the construction, maintenance, and renovation of buildings designed for human activities, complete with structural components, electrical/technological systems, and all types of finishes. In practice, OG1 includes all standard building works such as homes, offices, schools, hospitals, factories, stations, multi‑storey car parks, and similar structures, along with all connected and accessory works.

Declaratory (official wording):
This category concerns the construction, maintenance, or renovation of building works required to support any direct or indirect human activity, complete with structural components, electromechanical, electrical, telephone, and electronic systems, and all types of finishes, as well as any connected, complementary, or accessory works. It includes, by way of example, residential buildings, prisons, schools, barracks, offices, theatres, stadiums, industrial buildings, parking structures, railway and metro stations, airport buildings, and any specialized reinforced‑concrete structures—whether ordinary or pre‑stressed—cast in place, such as thin vaults, domes, elevated tanks, silos, and tall buildings with complex structural characteristics.

How does OG1 relate to the wider economy?

OG1 plays a major role in the broader economy because it represents the core of the building construction sector—a sector that generates large-scale employment and investment. In recent years, construction has been one of the key drivers behind Italy’s GDP growth, at times accounting for more than one‑quarter of the national increase. In 2023, the construction sector represented around 11% of Italy’s GDP and employed more than 3 million workers. Each OG1 project activates a substantial supply chain—materials, services, logistics, engineering—creating a strong multiplier effect on the local and national economy.

Why is OG1 important for so many types of projects?

Because OG1 applies to virtually every building type. From homes to high‑rise towers, from schools to hospitals, from industrial facilities to commercial centers—any project involving the construction of a building falls within OG1. This makes OG1 one of the most frequently required categories. Any complex building project (involving structure, systems, and finishes) requires a contractor certified in OG1. In essence, OG1 is the foundation for delivering most of the civil infrastructure that society and the economy rely on daily.

Which categories are related or complementary to OG1?

OG1 is often paired with specialist OS categories that cover specific technical components. Large buildings may require OS28 (mechanical/HVAC systems) or OS30 (electrical installations). For historical buildings, OG2 applies. Another related category is OG11 (technological systems), which covers integrated electrical and mechanical systems and often appears in complex procurement procedures. While OG1 represents the core building work, elements such as elevators, special foundations, and artistic finishes may require additional OS qualifications.

Can OG1 be combined with other categories in multidisciplinary projects?

Absolutely. OG1 frequently interfaces with multiple categories when a project includes diverse scopes of work. In integrated contracts, OG1 may be the primary category, while OS28 (mechanical systems), OS30 (electrical systems), or OG11 (technological systems) cover the installations. In large or specialized buildings, it is standard practice for an OG1‑qualified contractor to rely on specialist subcontractors for mechanical systems, elevators, special finishes, and other components when the company does not hold those qualifications directly.

OG1 is the backbone of Italy’s civil and industrial building sector. It is not only a mandatory requirement for public works but also a real competitive advantage: it demonstrates reliability, technical strength, and the ability to manage complex projects successfully.

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