Building product approvals
The Department is often asked what approvals are needed before building products can be used in New Zealand. The answer is that products must be approved for use on individual building projects by means of a building consent. To obtain a consent, the applicant must supply sufficient documentation (usually sourced from the importer or manufacturer) to show that the product will comply with the Building Code.
Building consents
The Building Act 2004 requires all new building work to comply with the performance requirements of the Building Code. In addition, all building work (except certain minor work exempted by Schedule 1 of the Building Act) must have a building consent.
That consent will only be granted if the building consent authority is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the proposed building work will comply with the Building Code.
The Building Code is performance-based, which means that it describes what the completed building work must achieve, not how the building must be built. So any product can be used, provided the applicant demonstrates its compliance with the relevant performance requirements of the Building Code.
The Building Code has 35 technical clauses, covering issues such as structure, fire safety, access, moisture, safety of users, services and facilities, energy efficiency and durability. Different clauses are relevant to different products. However, Clause B2 Durability applies in all cases, as it relates to the product's ongoing compliance with other clauses of the Building Code.
The Building Code can be viewed or downloaded from www.dbh.govt.nz/bcl-get-a-copy-of-building-code
Product certification
The Building Act 2004 allows for a system of product certification - a scheme that is in the process of implementation. Once set up, it will be possible (but not mandatory) to certify products as meeting certain performance requirements of the Building Code. This means they must be accepted by a building consent authority when considering an application for a building consent.
For more information on the product certification scheme, ring our contact centre on 0800 242 243, or check our website www.dbh.govt.nz/blc-product-certification
Planning to introduce a new product?
If, as a manufacturer, distributor or importer, you are planning to introduce a building product to the market, you need to provide sufficiently detailed technical literature to demonstrate that the product will meet the claimed performance requirements of the Building Code, including those for durability (Clause B2).
Marketing material is not usually suitable for this purpose. The literature needs to give instructions to designers, builders and homeowners on how to design, install and maintain the product, and outline the investigations undertaken (tests, calculations and other research), along with who performed them, to demonstrate the product's suitability.
This literature should also note the quality-assurance measures in place that ensure ongoing consistency of production.
Technical literature needs to be submitted with an application for a building consent as part of the plans and specifications detailing the proposed work. This gives the building consent authority enough information to decide whether the product is suitable for use as proposed. The case for the product could be aided by providing a supporting view from an independent expert.
Important points
- An importer, distributor or manufacturer can consider getting their product certified (once the product certification scheme is established), but it will not be mandatory to do so.
- A building consent must be obtained before a building product can be used in a project. The decision about whether the product complies with the Building Code rests with the building consent authority.
- It is the responsibility of the building consent applicant to provide sufficient supporting information to the building consent authority, to enable it to determine whether the product will meet relevant performance requirements of the Building Code.