Standard International Construction Contracts

Standard contracts provide a beneficial service to parties to a construction contract because they aid in the efficient drafting of a working agreement and assist in identifying all the issues that may need to be addressed. Several entities have drafted contractual agreements for use by the international community, including the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (IFCE). The IFCE's form agreements are widely used and serve as the foundation for construction contracts around the world. It has devised standard contracts for, among other things, consultants, civil engineering, electrical and mechanical work, design-build and turnkey construction, and owner-designed construction. The IFCE has even drafted a shorter and simpler contract form for use with smaller construction projects.

Like the IFCE, the Engineering Advancement Association of Japan (EAAJ) has drafted form documents. The EAAJ's form contract for international process plant construction has been heavily relied on in this area likely due to its adaptability to different types of process plants. The EAAJ has also published an international form contract for power plant construction, though its applicability to other types of construction projects can be achieved with minor adjustments to the contract language.

Standard international contract language can also be found in documents developed by the European Development Fund (EDF). The EDF documents provide conditions for the performance of the parties' works, supply, or service contracts. Additionally, the EDF has drafted conditions for the arbitrability of contract disputes.

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