misleading representations about 500E steel mesh. In 500E the ‘E’ stands for earthquake, and the Standard specifies strength and ductility (elasticity) requirements for steel reinforcing materials. The Standard also specifies the procedures (ie, sampling and testing) that must be followed to produce steel of the specified standard, including: • manufacturing methods that must be used by steel manufacturers • chemical, mechanical and dimensional requirements of mesh • sampling and testing of each batch of mesh • identification and labelling of different grades of mesh.
To be sold in New Zealand as 500E grade steel mesh, the mesh must be produced in accordance with the requirements of the Standard. If mesh is produced in any other way, it cannot be described as 500E mesh. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is the building regulator, and sets and enforces the Standards and Building Code. The Commission can investigate misleading or deceptive claims about compliance with the Standard.
The Commission has carried out a series of investigations into steel mesh following a complaint in August 2015. Following its investigations: • Fletcher Steel Limited was issued with a warning • United Steel Limited and Pacific Steel (NZ) Limited were issued with compliance advice • Timber King and NZ Steel Distributor were sentenced and fined $400,950 after pleading guilty to seven charges • Steel and Tube Holdings Limited pleaded guilty to 24 charges and the sentencing decision is currently reserved • 59 charges against Euro Corporation are before the Courts.