Why is Compliance Important?
There has been growing industry concern that non-conforming building products are being supplied into the Australian construction market. Findings from the Australian Industry Group's (AiG) report ‘The Quest for a Level Playing Field’ (AiG 2013) confirms building products have been allowed into the Australian market due to “inadequate surveillance, no audit checks, limited testing and enforcement and inadequate first party certification”.
This concern has led to the Australian Senate establishing an inquiry into non-conforming building products and the Building Ministers' Forum establishing the Senior Officers' Group to report on ways to minimise the risks to consumers and businesses.
In addition, the Australasian Procurement and Construction Council (APCC) also recognises that compliance and durability of construction products are major risk factors that need to be managed as they impact significantly on the service life and quality of building and construction projects.
In response to this, the Construction Product Quality Working Group on behalf of the APCC, has developed the ‘Procurement of Construction Products’ guide to assist in the decision-making process for the procurement of construction products in Australia. The guide is designed to elevate the levels of compliance and provide a level of confidence to all parties in the supply chain.
From a structural steel perspective, the guide recommends a number of the steps to ensure steelwork is correctly specified and subsequently supplied. The key requirements are for the provision of test certificates and third-party product certification from a JAS-ANZ accredited certifier such as the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels (ACRS).
Would you like more information about Liberty OneSteel's commitment to compliant steel products? Email us at infolibertyonesteel.com
