While the term 'substantial compliance' is more often used in Opinions on Compliance, it can be user for new builds, including apartment complexes. At times problems will arise that mean the development isn't built 100% as per the permission granted. These could even be small things such as a change in materials after a product they were planning on using becomes unavailable and there is no exact match from other manufacturers. The architect can sign-off that the development is substantially compliant, meaning in their opinion any deviations from the approved plans are so minor as to not to be a contravention of planning policy.
To say the term substantially compliant is meaningless isn't quite fair as both Law Society and Engineers Ireland issue guidance to their members on its use.