Become a Modular Component Manufacturer Certification Body

Applying to become a Modular Component Manufacturer Certification Body (MCMCB) under the BuiltReady scheme takes time and investment, so you need to decide whether it is the right decision for your organisation.

All MCMCBs that wish to certify modular component manufacturers under the BuiltReady scheme must be accredited and registered.

You must apply to become accredited for the scheme by the appointed modular component manufacturer certification accreditation body before you can be registered with MBIE. The position of modular component manufacturer certification accreditation body is currently held by Joint Accreditation Systems-Australia and New Zealand (JASANZ).

If you are an accredited and registered MCMCB under the BuiltReady scheme you:

• can receive applications for certification from modular component manufacturers under the BuiltReady scheme
• evaluate modular component manufacturers management systems, QMS and design and manufacturing systems and processes in accordance with the scheme rules and other relevant requirements detailed in the Building Act and the regulations
• certify modular component manufacturers to design (where applicable) and manufacture modular components including defining their scope, limitations and conditions for certification.
• undertake regular audits of certified manufacturers to confirm they continue to meet the requirements for certification
• can suspend or revoke certification of manufacturers, if required
• must notify MBIE of certifications, suspensions, or revocation of certification of manufacturers.

Once you have become accredited and registered under the BuiltReady scheme the fees you charge for certification services are a private arrangement between you and the Modular Component Manufacturer and are not covered by regulations.

Applying for accreditation

To become an MCMCB within the BuiltReady scheme you must apply for accreditation with the appointed accreditation body (JASANZ).

BuiltReady will be open for applications from certification bodies and then manufacturers in 2023.

The fees for applying for accreditation are prescribed in Schedule 3 of the Building (Modular Component Manufacturer Scheme) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations).

Fees

To be able to certify modular component manufacturers under the BuiltReady scheme, you must apply to become registered with MBIE once you have been accredited.

Register as a MCMCB

For more detail on accreditation requirements for MCMCBs refer to the Regulations and BuiltReady Scheme rules

Ongoing responsibilities

As a certified and registered MCMCB, you have ongoing responsibilities to ensure manufacturers you have certified continue to conform to their scope of certification and that they continue to design and/or manufacture components to the same standards and quality to which it was evaluated, certified and registered.

General requirements

• Ensure that manufacturers have systems and processes in place that take into account any amendments to the Building Code or other documents.
• Inform MBIE of the number and type of active applications for manufacturers in its system, including the scope of these applications and anticipated audit and inspection timeframes.
• Inform MBIE of any certification it has become the responsible MCMCB for during the quarter.
• Provide all relevant information requested by MBIE to assist with any audit of your registration, or any decision whether to suspend or lift the suspension of a registered manufacturer.
• Provide appropriate training for staff and contractors carrying out MCMCB functions, and make sure their performance is monitored.
• Staff and contractors of the MCMCB must have appropriate competence or a system in place for accessing and engaging services of those who do, and performance is monitored and maintained.
• A MCMCB must record its decisions relating to its certification functions, including the reasons for and outcomes of these decisions.

When considering whether a manufacturer complies with the criteria and standards for certification an MCMCB must evaluate it in accordance with scheme rules and the prescribed evaluation process. This includes:

• reviewing applications for certification including undertaking risk assessments as part of a pre-evaluation process
• preparing an evaluation plan that includes estimated costs and processing times
• evaluating the modular component manufacturer in accordance with the agreed evaluation plan, which includes evaluating processes for design (where applicable) and manufacturing, technical opinions, specification sheets, QMS, installation processes, resourcing and competencies
• conducting manufacturing site audits and installation inspections (evaluation and surveillance) as detailed in the evaluation plan
• preparation of an evaluation report and advise applicant of outcome
• issuing formal certification documents
• undertaking audits of certified manufacturers at least annually to check certification criteria continues to be met.

In addition to the responsibilities above you will be required to provide on-going information to the appointed accreditation body, MBIE and manufacturers.

Information to be provided to the appointed accreditation body includes:

• a quarterly update of active applications, and of any modular component manufacturers certification taken over from another MCMCB.

Information to be provided to MBIE includes:

• details of any changes to the information you supplied when applying to be a registered MCMCB
• letting MBIE know if you issue, suspend, lift the suspension of, or revoke a modular component manufacturer's certification
• also letting MBIE know if you take over a modular component manufacturer's certification from another MCMCB.

Information to be provided to modular component manufacturers includes:

• letting them know if you intend to suspend or revoke their certification, and why
• letting them know if you decide to suspend, lift the suspension of, or revoke their certification, and why (and you'll need to give them reasonable time to respond).