Name of the Organization : Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Type of Facility : Apply For CodeMark
Country : New Zealand
Website : http://www.dbh.govt.nz/product-certification
Apply For CodeMark :
Product certification (CodeMark) is a voluntary scheme that provides an easily-understood and robust way to show that a building product or system meets the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code.
Related : National Multiple Use Approval Service Apply For Multiproof New Zealand : www.statusin.org/6892.html
A CodeMark-certified product or construction method must be accepted by any building consent authority as complying with the Building Code, as long as it is used as specified.
Achieving CodeMark is of particular benefit to manufacturers and suppliers of products that are innovative, new to the market or would have serious consequences if they failed. CodeMark can also give them a clear marketing advantage.
Lower levels of product assurance may be enough for other building products or systems, especially if they are already well used and accepted in the New Zealand building industry.
The product certification scheme was established by the Building Act 2004 and is administered by the Department of Building and Housing. It has been developed jointly with the Australian Building Codes Board.
The scheme operates under the CodeMark brand name on both sides of the Tasman. However, products must still be certified separately for New Zealand and Australia because there are differences in the two countries’ building codes.
How to apply for CodeMark:
To apply for CodeMark, first decide if it is right for you and then approach a product certification body. You can also contact the Department if you need more help.
Decide if CodeMark is right for you:
Applying for product certification (CodeMark) takes time and money. It may not be necessary for your building product or system, or it may something you want to work towards over a period.
Approach a product certification body:
Accredited product certification bodies are the only organisations that can assess your building product for CodeMark. Contact them directly to find out what information they need and for some idea of the time and cost involved in your application.
The information they need may include technical information, product test results, independent assessments or appraisals.
You will have to provide evidence :
1. how you believe your product or method complies with the Building Code, and
2. how your manufacturing systems will continue to produce compliant products.
You must have a clear scope of use for your building product or system. You must also detail how it will be installed, any maintenance requirements and which clauses of the Building Code you wish to show compliance with.
CodeMark assessment: what is involved:
To assess your product for CodeMark, the product certification body will review your technical information, product test results, and manufacturing processes and procedures. They must determine product conformity: that is, they need to make sure the product or system they certify is consistently produced.
This may include assessing a sample or samples of your product as used or installed. It may also include factory and/or site visits.
CodeMark certification requires annual audits:
If your building product or system passes muster, the product certification body will issue a CodeMark certificate to say that it must be accepted as complying with the New Zealand Building Code when used as specified.
The CodeMark certificate will probably include a number of conditions relating to the design and installation of your product or system. For example, one condition could be that your product must be installed by licensed building practitioners or accredited installers.
Your CodeMark certificate will be valid indefinitely, subject to annual audits to make sure that compliance is being achieved and can be maintained. The product certification body must also carry out an audit any time you modify your product or manufacturing process.