Building product accreditation

The Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) assesses product accreditation applications against the performance requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) or the Building Regulations 2018 (the Regulations).

They will consider the accreditation of building products, including:

• construction methods
• design components
• systems connected with building work.

They cannot consider applications for building products if the product complies with the deemed-to-satisfy provisions of the BCA.

The product accreditation process applies to innovative solutions that are difficult to assess by individual building surveyors. Central assessment helps ensure consistency and greater efficiency.

A certificate of building product accreditation is proof that a product meets the performance requirements of the Regulations or the BCA. Under section 15 of the Building Act 1993, a building surveyor must accept the product, method, design, component or system if the use complies with the accreditation. A2.2(4) of the NCC must still be complied with, as relying on a Certificate of Accreditation is a performance solution. A2.2(4) requires a performance-based final report to confirm that the product, method, design, component or system complies with the accreditation, including any limitations or conditions of the accreditation.

Information provided by the ABCB for CodeMark Certificates and A2.2(4) may be useful when relying on a Certificate of Accreditation.

Victorian accreditation or national certification

• The BRAC’s Victorian product accreditation system operates alongside a national product certification system, CodeMark, managed by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB).
• For products that will only be used in Victoria, or if the initial marketing strategy is limited to Victoria, then Victorian accreditation may be appropriate.
• To view copies of current Certificates of Accreditation, visit the Product Accreditation Register

The Victorian product accreditation process

To apply for accreditation in Victoria, the product owner (or agent of the owner) needs to submit an application to the BRAC.

The BRAC meets each month and decides on an accreditation application after assessing all relevant test reports, appraisals or opinions submitted with the application.

If the BRAC is satisfied that the product meets the performance requirements of the Regulations or BCA and is suitable for accreditation, then a Certificate of Accreditation is issued.

The following procedure sets out the steps that consumers must follow to lodge a complaint, and the steps
the BRAC takes to review and resolve complaints BRAC Complaints and Revocation Procedure.

How to lodge an application

You need to provide a written application with supporting documentation to the BRAC.

The supporting documentation needs to identify the building product material, the method of construction and the design of the components or systems connected with the building work. Evidence that the product is fit for the purpose for which it is intended is also required.

• On receipt of your application, an invoice will be sent via email. It must be paid in full before the application is considered.
• The current fee is outlined in the Check Sheet and at the end of this page.
• You will be notified when the BRAC intends to consider your application. They may ask you to supply further test reports, appraisals or opinions to help them decide.
• You are responsible for arranging and paying for any reports, appraisals or opinions requested by the BRAC.
• They treat all information contained in any application as strictly confidential.

How to renew an existing accreditation

If you want to keep your building product accreditation beyond the 3-year expiry date, you must apply to renew it. You can apply up to 12 months before the expiry date, but no later than 6 months before the expiry date.

Know what mandatory documentation must be submitted with the application using the check sheet.

The application form must be submitted via email,  with relevant supporting documentation .

• On receipt of your application, an invoice will be sent via email. It must be paid in full before the application is considered.
• The current fee is outlined in the Check Sheet and at the end of this page.
• You will be notified when we intend to consider your renewal application. We may ask you to supply further test reports, appraisals or opinions to help them decide.
• You are responsible for arranging and paying for any reports, appraisals or opinions requested by the BRAC.
• We treat all information contained in any application as strictly confidential.

How to request a variation to an existing accreditation

Existing accreditation holders may apply to vary their accreditation in respect to one or more of the following matters:

• a transfer of the accreditation from the holder of the accreditation to another person;
• a change of the name of the holder of the accreditation;
• a change of the postal address, telephone number or email of the holder of the accreditation;
• a change of the building product name;
• a change of the name of one or more components that form part of the accredited building product;
• a change to an installation manual for the building product, or to any performance requirement or standard applying to the accredited building product;
• a change to the building product to reflect any amendment to a requirement in these Regulations in relation to which the building product is accredited;
• a change to any condition imposed by the Committee;
• the correction of an error in the certificate of accreditation for the building product;
• a change in any other matter relating to the accreditation of the building product, which the Committee considers will not result in a significant departure from the performance of the building product or the purposes for which the building product was originally accredited

The application form must be submitted via email,  with relevant supporting documentation .

• On receipt of your application, an invoice will be sent via email. It must be paid in full before the application is considered.
• The current fee is outlined in the Check Sheet and at the end of this page.
• You will be notified when they decide on your request for variation.

Fees

A change of fees was applied from 1 October 2024

• New Accreditation Applications $27,354.40
• Renewal Applications $13,677.20
• Variation to Accreditation remains $348.80