compliance
|watch
Improving compliance:
Can industry lead the way?
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HIA has been investigating a range of initiatives aimed at
assisting HIA members, and the residential building industry
more broadly, to better understand the importance of
product compliance and to help ensure that their businesses
are taking appropriate steps to minimise any risk from the
use of non-conforming products.
T
he compliance of windows and glazing with
Australian building codes and standards has
been high on the agenda of the AWA and its
members over many years. The AWA’s approach
to assisting members in meeting their obligations
to offer compliant window products to the market
and to supporting members by tackling evidence
of non-compliant windows both in Australia and
overseas is a leading example of how specific
industry sectors can work to make a difference in
their area of speciality. However, not all industry
sectors have the skills or support to do this.
Kristin Brookfield
Senior Executive
Director
for Building,
Development &
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is currently
investigating a range of options that may be
of assistance to the residential building industry
to identify both compliant and non-compliant
building products. A focus of this work is an
investigation into whether there is industry support
to establish a Building Product Register.
at times, is more open to interpretation than most
would prefer.
The HIA believes the management of building product
compliance should be focused on fostering an
environment in which builders, regulators and the
community can have confidence in the compliance
and fitness for purpose of all building products and
materials used in the residential building industry in
Australia.
This vision has been used by the HIA to establish a
model for an industry-led building product register.
The HIA has committed to investigate whether such
a model could be established with the support of all
sectors – product manufacturers, suppliers, builders,
trade contractors, building professionals including
certifiers and designers - and operated by industry
for industry.
o
Environment, HIA
Everyone involved in residential building is aware
of, and has potentially been affected by, issues of
product quality and conformance.
The intention of setting up a building product
register would be to provide:
For product manufacturers and suppliers, there
is a need to ensure that their products are fit for
purpose and meet the necessary building standards.
However there are no controls around what level
of proof is adequate to verify to a builder or consumer
that a product meets these standards.
• An avenue for manufacturers and suppliers to
place their product compliance information;
• An easy to use tool for builders and designers
(and consumers) to access relevant product
compliance information; and
• Create greater awareness within the building
industry of the need to provide and obtain
accurate product compliance information.
For builders, designers and certifiers, knowing what
standard should be met, whether international
standards are the same as Australian standards,
and asking for written evidence that supports a
manufacturer’s claims is a complex process and
Essentially, it is suggested that the register have two
components, firstly that a company (whether a
manufacturer or a supplier) would need to meet
a number of criteria to show that they are of good
repute and that they are committed to the supply
3 Australian Window Association Winter 2013