How does a product become certified?
Accredited independent product certification bodies will run the product certification scheme.
This will eventually be a joint scheme with Australia. Product manufacturers will be able to apply for certification in New Zealand and Australia, and products can be assessed for compliance with the New Zealand and/or Australian building codes.
1. A product manufacturer or marketer applies to a product certification body (accredited in both New Zealand and Australia) for certification that a product, method or system complies with the New Zealand and/or Australian building codes. (Any type of building product, system or method of construction can be submitted for certification.)
2. The product certification body assesses the product. Assessment criteria may consist of product testing results, evaluation, site inspections, manufacturing quality control inspections and a review of the manufacturer’s technical literature.
3. If the certificate is granted for compliance with the New Zealand Building Code, details of the product certificate and certificate holder are then held on a public register by the Department of Building and Housing and are subject to annual review.
Building product certification is not the only way to provide the appropriate level of information to demonstrate Building Code compliance, but it is the most effective for proprietary products.
What happens when a product changes?
The certificate holder is responsible for informing the product certification body of any changes made, intentionally or unintentionally, to the product. The certification body determines what impact the change might have on compliance with the Building Code.
In extreme circumstances, a product certificate may be withdrawn where products are found not to comply with the certification requirements.
Certification bodies
Product certification bodies are accredited and audited by an independent accreditation body - the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ), which will be appointed by the Department of Building and Housing.
Accreditation is for a particular scope depending on the certification body’s expertise and capability to assess various aspects of Code compliance. For example, an organisation with expertise only in the assessment and testing of timber products may only receive accreditation in this area.
Accredited product certification bodies are audited annually to ensure they continue to meet accreditation requirements.