Product certification
Product certification is one of the elements in transforming the building sector, which includes:
- introducing builder licensing
- ensuring better outcomes for owners of leaky homes
- encouraging a better consent and inspection process
- investigating consumer warranties for building work.
The Building Act 2004 ('The Act') provides for the establishment of a product certification scheme to replace the accreditation arrangements managed by the Department under the former legislation.
Building product certification provides a way in which certificate holders can give independent confirmation that their products comply with the Building Code.
Certification is not mandatory, but it is an effective way for manufacturers and distributors to establish that their products comply with the Building Code. Widespread adoption of product certification would help building consent authorities make better decisions about consent applications. It will also help designers and builders identify products that have been proven to perform well if installed correctly.
The Act allows the Chief Executive of the Department to appoint a product certification accreditation body. This body will accredit suitable organisations as product certification bodies. These organisations will be responsible for evaluating and certifying building products and methods.
Relationship with the Australian Building Codes Board
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has similar responsibilities to the Department, particularly in managing a product certification scheme.
Similar developments in the Australian building sector have provided an opportunity for trans-Tasman building industry groups to work together within an environment that increasingly relies on International Quality Standards to promote consumer confidence in the global marketplace.
In July 2005 the Department and the ABCB signed a memorandum of understanding to establish an aligned building product certification scheme, recognising compliance with the New Zealand Building Code and the Building Code of Australia in our respective jurisdictions.
International assessments
In recent years most World Trade Organization member countries have developed international assessment structures to determine whether or not a product or system conforms to a standard and/or complies with a regulation. An example close to home is the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ).
JAS-ANZ is a not-for-profit, fee-for-service organisation, formed under a treaty between the Australian and New Zealand Governments on 30 October 1991.
As the peak accreditation body for both countries, JAS-ANZ accredits some 57 certification bodies, including those certifying products under the CodeMark scheme.
The CodeMark scheme
At present this scheme only operates in Australia, but it will be launched in New Zealand at some stage. There will be four groups of participants: the Department (the regulatory agency), the accreditation body, product certification bodies, and the holders of product certificates. Each group will have specialist roles, affecting their accountabilities (and liabilities).
The CodeMark brand has been transferred to the ABCB for use in Australia. Once the scheme is launched here, the Department and the ABCB will ensure the two countries operate their schemes in a consistent and aligned manner.
Product certification register
Under the Building Act, the Department is required to establish a public register of the names and contact details of accredited product certification bodies. The design and operation of this register will be confirmed in the near future.
Certificate holders
The holders of building product certificates could be owners, manufacturers, importers or suppliers of a product.
Certificate holders have a responsibility to ensure the certified product continues to be manufactured to the same standards, levels and quality as those against which it was assessed and certified.
The certificate holder must notify the certifier of any proposed modification to the product or the manufacturing process, and provide all necessary documentation.
Benefits of the scheme
Product certification helps ensure products are appropriate for their use and are used appropriately. The scheme provides independent and clear guidance on how to use a building product or method in compliance with the requirements of the Building Code. The scheme puts particular emphasis on how a product is to be installed so it is Code-compliant in practice as well as theory.
Progress to date
The ABCB has completed the domestic infrastructure for the scheme and launched it in Australia. JAS-ANZ is assessing product certification bodies in Australia, of which two have already been accredited and are now operating. Implementation in New Zealand has been a little slower. In recent months there has been significant progress.
In July 2005, the Department issued a consultation document on possible scheme rules, which described how the scheme might operate and the roles of the product certification accreditation body and the product certification bodies. It also proposed standards and criteria for the scheme. The consultation identified a number of issues requiring further work by the Department.
Where to from here?
In November 2006, officials from the Department met with the ABCB and JAS-ANZ in New Zealand to discuss the framework of the trans-Tasman scheme. Also on the agenda was how to further harmonise the CodeMark scheme rules.
The product certification scheme must be set up in such a way that it has practical application in Australia and New Zealand. This means the terminology should reflect the legal jurisdiction in each country, and be relevant to both countries.
In the next few months the Department will be talking to industry and local government to ensure that key stakeholders are aware of progress with the product certification scheme and other initiatives, such as BCA accreditation, the licensing of building practitioners and the Building Code review.
The Department is aiming to complete these remaining steps by 30 June 2007.
Contact our call centre on 0800 242 243 for more information.