Building Surveyors & Certifiers | National Building Products Coalition

Building Surveyors
& Certifiers

Key Product Conformity Questions to Ask

Statutory building surveyors require information that demonstrates products, materials and assemblies requiring assessment against the evidence of suitability requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) Volumes One and Two and referenced standards. The information must be adequate to enable evaluation that the product is fit to be used for its intended purpose.

PRODUCT TYPE AND SCOPE OF USE

  • What is the product and where will it be used in the building?
  • Are there limitations that could affect its suitability?
  • Is the product to be used as an individual component or part of a system?
  • What is the risk to building safety if the product fails?

REGULATORY OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS

  • What are the NCC A5 evidence of suitability requirements for installation and use of the product?
  • Is the specified product proposed for use in accordance with the scope of the certificate of conformity or other form of evidence, and any conditions of limitation?

TYPE OF PRODUCT CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT

  • What evidence of conformity with NCC requirements has been provided: third-party certification, accredited laboratory test, professional opinion, other?
  • What applicable NCC referenced standards are being used when determining the suitability of evidence provided?[1]
  • For new and innovative products, where there are no applicable NCC referenced standards, how is evidence of conformity established?
Building Surveyors & Certifiers

ASSESSMENT RIGOUR

  • Is the rigour of the evidence provided appropriate to the level of risk?
  • Have all the key features of the product been assessed?
  • Is the evidence relevant to the product and its proposed use?
  • Does the evidence cover the product’s intended onsite installation and use?
  • Are there sufficient details in the evidence to facilitate design and installation compliance verification?

VERIFIABLE EVIDENCE

  • Has the evidence been third party verified under an accredited scheme and/or by an accredited conformity assessment body (CAB)?
  • Can you verify the impartiality, competency and capability of the person/body who conducted testing, provided the evidence, or the CAB) that issued the certification?
  • Is the evidence provided publicly accessible? Can you access a full copy of the test report, product certificate and/or certification scheme directory?
  • Does the test report confirm that the prototype or benchmark test was undertaken in accordance with the relevant part of an applicable NCC referenced standard by an accredited testing laboratory or where there are none, a valid alternative method?[2]
  • Is there a product marking that links to certificates containing details of the source of raw materials, source of components, factory manufacturing locations, test reports, factory inspections or surveillance?

CONFORMITY TRACEABILITY

  • Is there a link between the physical product and conformity information (e.g. a digital certificate of compliance, a product mark linked to an accessible directory)?
Building Surveyors & Certifiers

For more detailed information see the Building Product Information Guide [DJ1]

Download the Key Conformity Questions
to ask for Building Surveyors and Certifiers Download the full Building Product Information
- Good PracticeConformity Guide

[1] In all Australian jurisdictions, the versions of standards referenced in the applicable edition of the NCC Volumes One and Two must be used when determining the adequacy of evidence of suitability.

[2] Evaluation of test reports by a building surveyor/certifier is limited to ensuring the:

  • relevant testing referenced in the report reflects NCC requirements and constitutes a valid evidence of suitability pathway in accordance with A5G3 NCC Vol. One and Two; and
  • outcome of that testing is consistent with NCC Vol. One and Two requirements for the proposal; and
  • referenced documentation appears authentic and complete as per A5G3 of NCC Vol. One and Two; and
  • report has been authored by an accredited testing laboratory as required by NCC Specifications 1 and 2 or relevant certification scheme rules.