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Everything You Want to Know About CodeMark Certification
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Product Services
CodeMark certification ensures new and innovative products are appropriately and objectively assessed for compliance with Building Codes.
CodeMark Certification is a voluntary third-party building product certification scheme. It enables you to meet compliance requirements, gain market access, and improve your competitive edge.
In this blog, we will uncover:
- What is CodeMark Certification?
- The Benefits of CodeMark Certification
- Who are the Key Parties Involved in the Scheme?
- How Certification Works
- Things to Look For in a CodeMark Certificate
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What is CodeMark Certification?
CodeMark is a third-party building product certification scheme for new and innovative building products. It is the only accredited certification programme of its kind, facilitating assessment and certification in a way that protects the objectivity of the certification process and ensures its validity because it’s done by a third-party certifier (such as SAI Global).
In instances where a manufacturer or importer makes specific claims about a product, the third-party certifier will evaluate and assess the final product to ensure its compliance with the specific requirements in the relevant building code. This may include auditing the manufacturing process of a product or ensuring production quality controls are in place, for example, to ensure the product continually complies with the specific standards for safety, quality, and performance.
CodeMark certification is based on building codes (Building Code of Australia – BCA and/or New Zealand Building Code – NZBC), applicable to the specific product rather than being based on a Standard. It is common for manufacturers and business owners to employ third-party certification to promote their products, leveraging the fact that it’s been independently assessed as a selling point.
Though CodeMark certification is not currently mandatory, in a constantly evolving environment this may change in time.
The Benefits of CodeMark Certification
There are many key benefits to CodeMark certification, the most compelling being the capacity to meet compliance requirements, gain market access, and improve your competitive edge.
Further key benefits include:
- Gaining a competitive edge in the marketplace with this industry-recognised certification
- Proof of quality evidenced by a product that meets the requirements of the building code
- Stronger market acceptance with an industry recognised certification programme enables expansion across Australian and New Zealand markets (with BCA and NZBC CodeMark certifications)
- Increased consumer confidence in a market sceptical of non-compliant products
- Legislated product acceptance by building authorities – CodeMark certification means the product meets the mandatory building code compliance requirements.
- A flexible alternative option for new and innovative products or systems
Who are the Key Parties Involved in the Scheme?
There are 5 key parties involved in the CodeMark scheme:
- Australian Building Codes Board (ABCD)
- Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
- JAS-ANZ
- The certification body (such as SAI Global)
- The certificate holder (the client)
The current scheme owners are the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCD) in Australia and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in New Zealand.
The scheme accreditation body is JAS-ANZ who accredit Certification Bodies like SAI Global. They are also the scheme administrators for CodeMark certificates in Australia. MBIE is the scheme administrator for CodeMark certificates in New Zealand.
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Certification bodies such as SAI Global do the evaluation and assessment of the products against the specified building code of Australia or New Zealand. Only accredited certification bodies can issue CodeMark® Certificates.
Clients are the final key party involved in the scheme, as certificate holders for the business or organisations. Their responsibility is to make sure they are aware of their obligations regarding their CodeMark certified products.
Step 1: Pre-Assessment
- A preliminary evaluation of the application is conducted.
- CodeMark Initial Assessment Application Form is submitted along with supporting documentation (e.g. product brochure, specifications, test reports, product quality plan etc.).
- Identification of the applicable building code provisions, the scope of certification in terms of its intended use and any limitations there may be on the use of the product.
Step 2: Proposal
- Following the pre-assessment, we then advise if the product or system is suitable for CodeMark certification by way of a formal proposal. This will include things like applicable building codes we’ve identified during the pre-assessment stage, along with supporting evidence needed in order for the certification assessment to be completed.
- At this step, the client accepts the proposal and pays the relevant application costs.
- A certificate number and client manager are allocated.
Step 3: Assessment
- On confirmation that the proposal has been accepted, the detailed evaluation and assessment of the product and supporting documentation is conducted.
- Where relevant an onsite factory audit, site inspection and/or post-manufacture surveillance (if required) are conducted.
- This assessment is done in conjunction with an independent Unrestricted Building Certifier (UBC) who gives final assessment/approval.
Step 4: Certification
- The approved certificate of conformity is uploaded to the SAI Global website (and JAS-ANZ website for BCA and MBIE website for NZBC).
- SAI Global notifies the client.
Things to Look for in a CodeMark Certificate
On reaching step 4 of the certification process, all documents will have been thoroughly peer-reviewed, with the certifier’s signature providing proof that due diligence has been performed before the CodeMark certificate has been issued.
However, it is imperative that the certificate holder understands their responsibilities and can identify the essential components that must be included in a CodeMark certificate.
The key things to look for in a CodeMark Certificate are as follows:
- Specific clauses – clauses that are specific and relevant to the product and its intended use.
- Well-considered conditions and limitations – the conditions and limitations noted should relate to the clauses nominated.
- Product description, specification, and installation requirements – what the product is, how it can be used, what components are covered under the certification, and where you can find installation requirements for that product.
- Other relevant technical data – this section on the certificate is reserved for information that’s valuable to the product, that doesn’t necessarily fall into the other categories. Also, data that wasn’t used as part of the assessment to support compliance with the provided clauses.
- Evaluation methods – what methods have been used to determine compliance, in the form of a report issued from an accredited laboratory that includes their accreditation number.
- List of reports – clearly referenced with a concise explanation on what that report contains and how it demonstrated compliance. It should be clear when there has been a test conducted to a Standard and the result provided.
Why SAI Global
We’re here to help you build a world-class, globally competitive and sustainable Australian Industry today.
With over 25 years of experience and a global reputation built on first-class delivery and technical support. SAI Global’s partnerships are supported throughout their assessment and certification process – while making the process as seamless and simple as possible.
Adding value is at the core of our business and our processes. Let us show you how assessment and certification can add value to your business.
Australia-wide, delivering over 60,000 audits each year, your local SAI Global team is equipped to support your unique requirements.