Proposed risk-based Building Product Registration Scheme

Overview

Building Ministers have asked the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to design a new risk-based Building Product Registration Scheme (Scheme) for all building products. 

We are seeking your feedback on the proposed initial principles and scope of the Scheme by way of a discussion paper. 

The principles and scope of the proposed Scheme will be considered by Building Ministers in late 2024.

The discussion paper can be found in the embedded PDF below, or is available from the Related Documents section at the bottom of this page along with other supporting documentation. A preview of the survey questions is also availble at the bottom of this page to help you prepare your response. 

Why is a new Scheme needed?

Like many other countries, Australia has seen significant problems cause by building products that do not conform or comply with the National Construction Code (NCC). Building product information in Australia is also often inadequate. These deficiencies can result in:

• products being used in a way that is not compliant with the NCC (e.g. installation)
• slow and/or inaccurate building product choices for NCC conformance
• inferior products in construction and renovation, and/or
• dangerous products being used in construction and renovation (e.g. flammable cladding)

The purpose of a national Scheme is to address these problems - reducing unnaceptable risks to Australians' life and wellbeing and improving confidence in building products.

Key Scheme elements

More, better and traceable product information
Under the Scheme, all building products would be required to have minimum information in a standardised format. Proposed minimum information would include evidence that the product conforms to the NCC. Building products would be traceable through labelling and a product register.

Introducing a risk-based designated products category
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.

Establishing a national register
A national register would be established as part of the Scheme, with mandatory registration of products in the designated category while other products could be registered on a self-assessed basis. State and territory governments would continue to have authority to grant construction approvals and undertake compliance activities using the relevant provisions of the NCC. The register would be operated on their behalf by the Board.

Minimising duplication and ensuring sustainability
To avoid unnecessary duplication and demonstrate robust compliance with the NCC, the Scheme would leverage existing processes where appropriate. The proposed Scheme would not duplicate appropriate industry and other assessment schemes that are working well. To ensure its sustainability cost recovery processes would be implemented.

Benefits of proposed Scheme
The proposed principles and scope of the Scheme have been designed to achieve more accurate and trusted building product information through:

• ensuring building product conformance with the NCC which increases construction integrity
• streamlining and reducing approval times by using evidence-based processes that provide a level playing field and facilitate market driven choices, and
• facilitating efficient regulation by providing an improved focus for investigations and enforcement.

Providing comment

Submissions will be accepted via the ABCB consultation hub until 11:59pm AEST 3 October 2024.