Hon Shane Jones
Minister for Building and Construction
Associate Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
Associate Minister of Immigration
Associate Minister of Trade
23 May 2008 Media Statement

Product Certification Scheme to complete reforms

The third of the three key pillars of reform to the 2004 Building Act -- the product certification scheme – will be launched later this year, Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones announced today.

"This voluntary scheme, along with licensing of building practitioners and building consent authority accreditation, completes the three major changes to the Building Act," Mr Jones said.

"Product certification is a system that confirms building products, systems or methods comply with the Building Code. A proprietor of any building product, system or method - either locally produced or imported - may apply for certification.
“It will allow manufacturers to show that their products comply with the Building Code by undertaking a rigorous assessment process.

“I am confident that having products certified will help when constructing homes and buildings as manufacturers will know that their product will be accepted across the country, making life easier for both them, and local government."

Mr Jones said it was especially pleasing that there was trans-Tasman agreement for the scheme.

“We have worked closely with our Australian counterparts in designing this, and as a result it will help us move forward in building better quality homes and buildings.

“My department officials are currently working on the details of the regulations that will govern this scheme, to be implemented later this year.”

When the scheme is introduced, manufacturers will be able to apply to have their products certified by an independent product certifying body.

The Department of Building and Housing is currently working with a number of certifying bodies who have expressed an interest in the scheme with the intention for it to come into force by September.

ENDS

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