The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) have released a discussion paper outlining the principles and scope of a new Building Product Registration Scheme. Prompted in part by the 2014 Lacrosse building fire in Melbourne’s Docklands and the fatal Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017, the discussion paper follows a ministerial direction on 21 June 2024 for the development of a proposal to establish both a national building product register and a mandatory product labelling and traceability scheme.

As outlined by the ABCB, the purpose of the national scheme is to remedy problems caused by building products that do not conform or comply with the National Construction Code (NCC) and limited accessibility to compliant building product information in Australia. By addressing dangerous, slow and/or inaccurate building product choices, the proposed scheme aims to reduce unnecessary risks to Australians’ wellbeing.

Under the new scheme, all building products would be required to have minimum information, includi
ng evidence of conformance to the NCC and traceability through labelling, in a standardised format.

In a recent statement, the ABCB noted that “the scheme would introduce a risk-based designated products category in the NCC to increase industry and consumers trust in building products. The designated products category would be determined by the board in consultation with jurisdictions through a combined assessment of building products’ uses, safety and risk of defects.”

While state and territory governments would retain their authority to grant construction approvals and undertake compliance activities using the relevant provisions of the NCC, the register, much like the NCC itself, would be controlled on their behalf by the board.

No decision has yet been made and any feedback received will be considered by the ABCB and building ministers prior to any further action being taken. The discussion paper states that “if a new scheme were to be created, it is likely to require several more years of design and d
evelopment, in partnership with industry and jurisdictions, followed by an implementation period that enables a smooth and efficient transition.”

The discussion paper is open for comment online until 3 October 2024.

Source: Tourism Africa