International agreements

Engineers Ireland is a signatory to a range of international agreements. Our goals are mutual recognition of accredited educational qualifications and bilateral recognition of professional engineering titles.

Educational qualifications

The Washington Accord

Through the Washington Accord, all accredited engineering degree programmes, which we have accredited as satisfying the academic requirements for the chartered enginneer title (same of sydney accord – for associate), are recognised by professional bodies in other signatory countries as equivalent to their own accredited engineering degree programmes.

The Sydney Accord

Through the Sydney Accord, approved Engineering Technology Programmes (National Diploma in Engineering, BEng Tech degree, BEng Degree, BTech degree) are accepted for membership purposes by the Accord signatories on the same basis as their own accredited Engineering Technology Degree and Diploma Programmes.

The Dublin Accord

Through the Dublin Accord, approved Engineering Technician Programmes (National, Higher or Technician Certificate in Engineering) are accepted for membership purposes by the Accord signatories on the same basis as their own accredited engineering technician certificate programmes.

FEANI - Fédération Européene d'Associations Nationales d’Ingénieurs

Level 8 engineering degree programmes accredited by Engineers Ireland are eligible for inclusion in the FEANI Index of schools and courses are accepted for the Eur Ing title.

European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE)

Engineers Ireland is a founding member of ENAEE which grants authority to engineering accreditation agencies to add the “EUR-ACE Label” to First-cycle and Second-cycle engineering programmes which each agency has accredited subject to certain criteria being satisfied.

Recognition of professional titles

The professional titles of Engineers Ireland are Chartered Engineer (CEng), Associate Engineer (AEng) and Engineering Technician (EngTech).

Recognition in the UK

Engineers Ireland has negotiated international agreements for Chartered Engineers with the following engineering professional bodies in the UK

• The Institution of Civil Engineers (CEng)
  
• The Institution of Engineering and Technology (CEng. AEng and Eng Tech)
  
• The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (CEng)
  
• The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CEng)
  
• The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CEng)
  
• The Institution of Structural Engineers (CEng, AEng) – Candidates must succeed in the relevant IStructE examination.
  

Recognition within the EU

EU Directives issued in 1989, 1992 and 2005 provide for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications between EU member states.  Provided there are no substantial differences, as defined in the Directives between such a qualification and the CEng title, Engineers Ireland will grant this title to holders of such qualifications.

The European Directive Route to membership reflects Engineers Ireland’s obligations under, and opportunities created by the European Directive 2005/36/EC concerning the recognition of professional qualifications within the EU. 

It is recommended to applicants applying for recognition of their title by Engineers Ireland under this route to familiarize themselves with Directive 2005/36/EC.

It should be noted that the EU Directive does not guarantee automatic recognition in the host  Member State (in this instance Ireland) as there may be a difference between the formal qualifications and  professional experience of the applicant and those required by Engineers Ireland (the ‘Competent Authority in the host Member State).

Applicants are required, in accordance with the regulations for this membership route, to complete and submit the application form for the Registered Title of Chartered Engineer under EU Directive 2005/36/EC accompanied by the relevant support documents and application fee.  A checklist of the requirements is included within the application form. 

Recognition in countries outside the EU

Engineers Ireland has negotiated international agreements for Chartered Engineers with engineering professional bodies in Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and South Africa.

This means that Irish chartered engineers will be considered for the award of the equivalent title by these professional bodies without being required to undertake a professional review.

Engineers Ireland offers the same facility to professional engineers holding professional titles from these countries.