ACRS · What is ACRS? ACRS is an independent third party assessment ody which checks compliance of construction steels to Australian New ealand Standards

What is ACRS? ACRS is an independent third party assessment body which checks compliance of construction steels to Australian & New Zealand Standards. Customers need to check compliance of materials they use, in order to avoid the risk of failure. ACRS certification can significantly reduce this risk

From the ChairmanACRS NEW NAME AND SCOPE

On 4 September, 2013, ACRS changed its name to the “Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels” to reflect not just the wider scope of materials covered by ACRS certification, but also ACRS importance in delivering confidence to the supply of construction steels in both Australia and now New Zealand.

From the strong base ACRS established in verification of compliance in reinforcing and

prestressing steels, ACRS now certifies manufacturers of structural steels, merchant bar, tubular construction products and steel plate. Assessment processes for further products are being developed.

ACRS continues to build its resources, has achieved JAS-ANZ accreditation to ISO17065, and in response to extremely difficult industry conditions ACRS also has reduced its overall fees and charges two years running, without disrupting the operation and rigour of ACRS core services – a significant achievement.

ACRS is proud to continue to offer the means to ensure that quality standards are maintained and upheld in construction projects. Over 30 organisations have failed to successfully complete their ACRS certification over the last three years – another sign that the rigor of the ACRS scheme is applied to all applicants assessed both in Australia and overseas.

Promoting the benefits of ACRS on behalf of our manufacturer certificate holders is also a key activity that we are continuing to ramp up, and higher impact publicity is now in place in leading construction publications in both Australia and New Zealand. To ensure it is recognised and understood as the premium steel certification body of choice in the evolving certification market. This includes alerting stakeholders to the risks of less rigorous ISO9000-based product certification schemes, lacking the technical expertise and rigour of the ACRS scheme. We look forward to your continued support to ensure the rigourous ACRS approach to this high risk issue is maintained.

Professor Graham Hutchinson AM, Chairman ACRS

From the Executive Director ACRS ACCREDITATION BY JAS-ANZ TO ISO17065

ACRS credibility has recently been enhanced by our successful accreditation by the Joint Accreditation System, of Australia and New Zealand. JAS-ANZ is the government-appointed accreditation body for Australia and New Zealand responsible for providing accreditation of conformity assessment bodies (CABs) in the fields of certification and inspection.

Accreditation by JAS-ANZ demonstrates the governance, independence and conformance

of the ACRS scheme with internationally applicable operating procedures for product certification bodies. ACRS underwent the JAS-ANZ assessment process over the last year, and I am pleased to say that the professionalism and rigour of ACRS was confirmed as being in accordance with the recently released global standard for third party product certification bodies, ISO 17065 – 2012 – the first product certification body to be so recognised in Australia or New Zealand.

ACRS has indeed come a long way from its initial expansion from 2005-6. Then, ACRS certified 23 sites in only 3 countries. Today, ACRS assesses and certifies manufacturing & processing at over 150 locations in 15 countries reflecting the continuous growth in demand for ACRS independent, expert certification services.

ACRS increasing recognition and specification has brought its own challenges. We have experienced increasing numbers of manufacturers and processors that have made enquiry or application for certification being found upon ACRS review to fall short of the minimum requirements demanded by AS/NZS Standards.

ACRS unique, rigorous and expert assessment capability has successfully maintained a level playing field for customers, specifiers and compliant producers alike.

ACRS is continuing to liaise with government and standards setting bodies developing conformity schemes, so that it can provide a one-stop shop service of third party certification across construction steels. Leveraging the strength of the ACRS brand and ACRS rigorous and internationally recognised certification capability is the value we can offer to everyone concerned about compliance.

Philip Sanders, Executive Director ACRS

Independent Third Party Australasian Standards Certification & Verification of Reinforcing, Prestressing & Structural Steels Compliance

ACRS Newsletter July 2014

INSIST on ACRS - It’s your Assurance of Steel Product Quality in Construction

The ACRS Newsletter is an official publication giving update on developments in independent third party product certification for steel construction materials

Map of the world with ACRS certified firms

www.steelcertification.com


INSIST on ACRS - It’s your Assurance of Steel Product Quality Compliance in Construction

NEW STEEL COMPLIANCE WEBSITE LAUNCHED

ACRS receives many enquiries on a range of certification and conformity issues. To clarify and provide more information, ACRS has launched a second websites:

The ACRS website has been rebranded as www.steelcertification.com This provides the technical detail on the ACRS scheme and lists the firms who are certified to comply with Australian and New Zealand construction steel product standards.

The new website www.steelcompliance.com is designed to provide information on steel compliance. This is a comprehensive information source on what customers, specifiers, users and certifiers need to know about proving compliance of construction steel products to Australian and New Zealand Standards.

There is growing concern about whether building products comply with the relevant Australian and New Zealand Standards. Compliance of products and services in the Australasian markets with Australian/New Zealand Standards is normally voluntary, unless the products or services are regulated by Government.

In this website we provide guidance on the following areas:

WHY the need for Steel Compliance• The reasons you need to consider

obtaining third party certificates of product compliance

WHAT is Steel Compliance• Detail on different types of compliance

and certification of construction steel products and other building products

WHO offers Steel Compliance• Detail on who provides what in the

certification area and comparison of the apples and oranges available

HOW to ensure Steel Compliance• Detail on how to specify the right

Certificate of Product Compliance, how to check that the products do comply, and how to ensure that project teams are aware of the requirements

UNDERSTANDING YOUR ACRS CERTIFICATESWho can hold an ACRS Certificate and for what products or processes?Upon satisfactory assessment by ACRS of a supplier, an ACRS Certificate of Approval is issued covering the Approved Materials (that is, those materials sold as conforming with the stipulated Australian/New Zealand Standards, or associated specifications) manufactured by, or processed by the supplier.

The scope of the materials and/or processes described in the Certificate of Approval is highly significant and it is important for customers and users to verify that they are receiving what they have ordered.

It is important to note that ACRS does not issue general certificates of approval for all possible materials that might be delivered by a supplier and therefore the scope of each ACRS certificate is very clearly defined and limited.

It is a condition of ACRS certification that all Assessable Materials supplied by a supplier are declared to ACRS and noted on the supplier’s certificate as Approved Materials. That is, all products that are eligible for certification and all supplier locations at which these products are manufactured, or processed, or supplied from must be assessed, verified and certified by ACRS.

ACRS certificates are web-based and any printed copies are “uncontrolled”. That is, customers should check the validity of any ACRS certificate presented to them by visiting the ACRS website at www.steelcertification.com.

What is shown on an ACRS Certificate?Each ACRS Certificate of Approval states:

a) The name of the supplier to which the certificate applies, with its company logo;

b) The supplier facility to which the successful assessment applies;

c) The products &/or services covered by the Approval, including applicable Australian/New Zealand Standards and/or ACRS assessment schedules;

d) The dates of validity of the certificate;

e) The date of first certification of the supplier location;

f) The unique certificate number.

How many different types of ACRS certificate are there?ACRS may issue a supplier one or more of eleven different types of certificate:

Mill manufacturers:1. Hot-rolled steel bar manufacture to AS/NZS

46712. Hot-rolled steel bar-in-coil manufacture to

AS/NZS 4671;3. Prestressing steel materials manufacture

(PC bar and/or PC wire & strand) to AS/NZS 4672;

4. Cold-formed structural steel hollow section manufacture to AS/NZS 1163;

5. Hot-rolled steel plate, floor plate and slab manufacture to AS/NZS 3678 and/or AS/NZS 1594;

6. Hot-rolled steel bar and section manufacture to AS/NZS 3679.1;

7. Structural steel I-Section manufacture to AS/NZS 3679.2;

8. Non-producer (i.e. a mill that is not currently producing any materials to Australian/New Zealand Standards, but intends to resume production at a future date),

Rebar Processors:9. Cold-drawn steel wire manufacture

to AS/NZS 4671;10. Steel mesh (fabric) manufacture

to AS/NZS 4671;11. Steel reinforcement processing

to AS/NZS 4671.In addition, certificate types 1 to 7 and types 9 & 10 will also have an accompanying product declaration form detailing all the materials covered by the supplier’s certification.

What do I need to check?When verifying products are ACRS approved, it is important to ensure the supplier’s current certificate is of the relevant type as above, that the material types, sizes and processes of your intended supply are included on certificate types, and lastly that there is an unbroken chain of certification from the ACRS Certified mill, to the ACRS Certified rebar processor, to you.

Reinforcement processors are subject to ACRS assessment to AS/NZS4671 as well as rebar mills and mesh makers – ask the reo supplier for their ACRS processor certificate, as well as the Mill and Mesh certificates.

The bottom-line?1. Your supplier must have a valid ACRS

certificate;

2. You must check the certificate on the ACRS website. Do not simply accept printed copies. They may be counterfeit;

3. Verify the chain of supply. If you get a product that is not listed on both the supplier’s certificate AND that of their upstream supplier, then that product is not ACRS approved.

Go to http://www.steelcertification.com/pdf/ U n d e r s t a n d i n g % 2 0 y o u r % 2 0 A C R S % 2 0certificate-130911.pdf


There are three effective measures for assuring the compliance of construction steel products, each of which has its place in the quest to reduce the risk of failures in structures.

1. Company reputation (brands/tags/markings);2. Mill test certificates, and;3. ACRS, independent third party certificates,

a credible option, which further enhances and complements the value and credibility of steel mill certificates.

ACRS certificates reduce the risk of non-compliant materials arriving on your site. Customers don’t have to ask for full proof of product compliance.

Some specifiers have traditionally asked for Steel mill certificates from their steel supplier and ACRS has two publications on this subject, both available on the ACRS website.

Why ACRS Rebar Certificates Can Replace Steel Mill CertificatesShows how ACRS rebar certificates can also replace individual test certificates, reducing workload and process complexity

ACRS Structural Steel Certificates and Steel Mill CertificatesShows how ACRS independent third party certificates, are a credible option, which further enhances and complements the value and credibility of steel mill certificates.

Go to http://steelcertification.com/announcements/acrs-structural-steel-certificates-and-steel-mill-certificates

DO YOU NEED TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?

• How can construction project managers, steel fabricators and engineering specifiers reduce their risk of substandard materials and potential failures?

• What are the dangers of using non-compliant materials?

• Who provides what in the certification area and comparison of the apples and oranges available?

• What are the four different methods of demonstrating compliance and certification of construction steel products and other building products?

• Why do I need to specify steels that are third party certified as opposed to just specifying mill test certificates?

• How do I specify the right certificate of product compliance?

• How do I check that the products do comply?

• How do I ensure that our project teams are aware of the requirements?

• How do I know that a manufacturer’s product is certified and that the certification is current?

• What is the Three Part Chain of Certification – Quality, Testing and Product?

• Are you concerned about reputation, career, income, health and livelihood?

• Are you concerned about risk, trouble, disaster, failure, regret and worry?

REDUCE YOUR PROJECT RISK !

GO TO steelcompliance.com

orsteelcompliance.co.nz

ACRS welcomes stakeholder comments on the new website and suggestions for further

content.

The ACRS Scheme Rules were recently amended to reflect changes in best practice and international developments. A full copy of the Scheme Rules (Version 8.3) is available on the ACRS website, but a summary of key points of the Scheme Rules is as follows:

The basis for the ACRS Certification Scheme is:

• ACRS certifies steel reinforcing, steel prestressing and structural steels manufacturers and suppliers, providing traceability of materials to the point of despatch from the processing plant.

• Initial assessment of suitability of suppliers’ quality system to ISO 9001 for the manufacture, or processing of the materials to be assessed for certification by ACRS (note: this is not ISO9001 assessment) and testing from the supplier’s range of materials to independently verify conformity with AS/NZ Standards.

• Ongoing, periodic surveillance of materials supply including testing and inspection of samples taken from suppliers’ stock and from the market.

• Analysis of samples and processes is undertaken using statistical, or other suitable rigorous methods to determine and report upon.

• ACRS assessors are expert metallurgists, experienced in steel reinforcement manufacture and processing, and prestressing steels and structural steels manufacture.

• ACRS assessors not only perform assessments for existing and prospective certificate holders, but also review the performance of the testing laboratories used by ACRS and sites to monitor the consistency and applicability of results obtained.

• ACRS operates an “All Materials: All Locations” policy. All materials manufactured by a Firm to all Standards certified by the ACRS Scheme must be assessed and approved by ACRS.

• This rule is fundamental to the integrity of the ACRS certification scheme and public confidence in the Scheme, and no exceptions can be made.

UPDATE TO ACRS SCHEME RULES 20TH NOVEMBER 2013

There is much concern that some reinforcing mesh available is not ACRS certified.

Is your house slab, patio, extension, driveway or footpath built with quality steel reinforcement that conforms to Australian and New Zealand Standards?

Does your supplier use reinforcing mesh which has been accredited to comply with Australian Standards by an independent third party body?

ACRS has been supporting concreters and builders throughout Australia by third party certifying reinforcing mesh for over ten years.

Ask for proof that the mesh supplied complies with Australian and New Zealand Standards that apply to reinforcing mesh

• AS/NZS 4671 : 2001 – Steel reinforcing materials – as referenced in

• AS 2870 : 2011 – Residential slabs and footings

• AS 3600 : 2009 – Concrete structures• AS 3727 : 1993 – Guide to residential

pavementsACRS certification independently confirms that the materials you buy conform to Australian and New Zealand Standards.

The easiest way to check compliance to Standards is ask to see your supplier’s ACRS certificate.

ACRS tests the steel supplied by steel mills for compliance and ACRS also tests the products supplied by reinforcing mesh manufacturers.

If you only judge products on price, you may not be getting what you pay for!

ACRS is your assurance of quality and compliance – Don’t take the risk of using uncertified mesh.

HOW CAN YOU BE SURE THE REINFORCING MESH YOU ARE USING ON A PROJECT COMPLIES WITH AS/NZS4671?

ACRS CERTIFICATES AND STEEL MILL CERTIFICATES


INSIST on ACRS - It’s your Assurance of Steel Product Quality Compliance in Construction

Contact ACRS

Tel: 02 9965 7216

Eml: [email protected]

Web: www.steelcertification.com

or www.steelcertification.co.nz

PO Box 1369 Crows Nest NSW 2065 Australia

NEW ACRS ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNACRS has launched their new advertisements in the main construction magazines in Australia and New Zealand, in order to highlight the advantages of reducing project risk by demanding the ACRS Certificate of Product Compliance for construction steels.

1. Don’t leave steel compliance to chance – dice graphic

2. Non-compliant steel is a gamble that can lead to heavy losses – roulette graphic

3. Non-compliant steel can do more damage than you think – cracks and reo graphic

4. Using non-compliant steel can take on a new meaning if something goes wrong – disaster and beams graphic

5. Using non-compliant steel can take on a new meaning if something goes wrong – failure and tube graphic

6. Using non-compliant steel can take on a new meaning if something goes wrong – regret and rebar graphic

7. Using non-compliant steel can take on a new meaning if something goes wrong – trouble and mesh graphic

8. Using non-compliant steel can take on a new meaning if something goes wrong – warning and strand graphic”

Editorial is also supplied to the leading Australasian construction magazines to ensure that more information is available to project specifiers and steel users with regard to the risk issues they face.

Go to http://www.steelcertification.com/newsletter1.html

CHECKLISTS TO ASSIST IN SIGNING OFF STEEL COMPLIANCE IN PROJECTSNot all construction steels sold in Australia comply with the relevant Australian Standards. Designers and builders assume that the materials used will meet the design specification. Asking for proof by means of a current ACRS certificate and tag is an easy way to check compliance and reduce your risk

There is often only a small window to verify that steel construction materials comply before the steel becomes encased in concrete and/or fabricated and installed. While inspection can take place inside this window, it is difficult to identify the material itself as conforming or not.

To make this process easier ACRS has developed both Reinforcing Steel and Structural Steel Inspection Checklists in consultation with AIBS and Consult Australia. These are available free of charge as a download from the ACRS website.

Updated versions are expected during 2014. Please let us have any comments on how to improve the current checklists.

Go to http://www.steelcertification.com/checklists.html

ACRS GOVERNING BOARD REFLECTS THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRYHaving the construction industry’s leading organisations and experience around the ACRS Board table assists ACRS to ensure relevance and quality of processes and governance. Steel suppliers are limited to a minority position on the Board to ensure credibility, impartiality and independence.

ACRS is supported by:

• Australian Constructors Association• Australian Institute of Building• Australian Institute of Building Surveyors• Australian Steel Institute• Australasian Wire Industry Association• Austroads• Building Officials Institute of New Zealand• Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia• Concrete Institute of Australia• Consult Australia• Engineers Australia• Heavy Engineering Research Association of NZ• Housing Industry Association• Master Builders Australia• National Precast Concrete Association• Post-tensioning Institute of Australia• Steel Reinforcement Institute of Australia• University of Melbourne

Having the construction industry’s leading organisations and experience around the ACRS Board table assists ACRS to ensure relevance and quality of processes and governance.

Documents

ACRS · What is ACRS? ACRS is an independent third party assessment ody which checks compliance of construction steels to Australian New ealand Standards