Statement from ACRS on non-compliant products in market

The Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels (ACRS) reiterates the critical importance of trusted independent, third-party certification of structural and reinforcing steel used in construction across Australia and New Zealand.

ACRS is increasingly concerned by reports of non-compliant products and, in some cases, fraudulent or misleading certification claims accompanying steel destined for the building sector. With the increasing volumes of imported fabricated steel entering the Australian/New Zealand markets, the integrity of systems demonstrating compliance for both domestic and imported products has never been more important.

Structural steels and reinforcing products are fundamental to the safety and performance of buildings and infrastructure. Failure to meet Australian/New Zealand Standards can result in serious safety risks, reduced structural integrity with significant long-term economic consequences. Non-compliant products continue to undermine productivity across the building industry.

ACRS certification provides the necessary independent verification that manufacturers of steel products are complying with relevant Australian Standards, including requirements for:

• chemical composition
• mechanical properties
• traceability
• manufacturing quality control.

This assurance is critical for builders, engineers, regulators and the broader community to have confidence in building products. When uncertified or falsely certified products enter the supply chain, confidence and basic design assumptions are undermined, public safety is compromised and there may be impacts on the resilience of the infrastructure.

“Certification is not a paperwork exercise, it is a critical safety system that underpins confidence in both New Zealand’s and Australia’s built environment.”

ACRS argues that fraudulent certificates or unverified claims of compliance represent a serious risk to the industry and the public. Noting that “any attempt to bypass or misrepresent certification requirements compromises safety and disadvantages those suppliers who do the right thing.”

ACRS is calling on all participants in the construction supply chain, including procurers, designers, engineers, builders and regulators, to prioritise independently certified products and undertake due diligence when sourcing steel.

Key measures include:

• specifying ACRS-certified materials throughout the design and document stage
• verifying certification claims through the ACRS register
• ensuring full traceability of steel products through traders, fabricators, and processors
• rejecting documentation that cannot be independently validated.

ACRS also encourages regulators and government agencies to strengthen compliance and enforcement activities to address non-conforming building products.

“Robust enforcement, combined with industry vigilance, is essential to maintaining confidence in construction materials and ensuring a level playing field.”

As construction activity continues to increase and supply chains evolve, maintaining the integrity and independence of certification systems is essential. The use of ACRS-certified steel provides confidence that products meet Australian/New Zealand Standards and are fit for purpose. This is essential to the long-term performance of the built environment and to community safety.