Become a Product Certification Body
Last updated: 5 December 2024
Product Certification Bodies accredited and registered under the CodeMark scheme can evaluate, assess and certify building products or methods against the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code and other relevant requirements.
Applying to become a Product Certification Body (PCB) under the CodeMark scheme takes time and investment, so you need to decide whether it is the right decision for your organisation.
All PCBs that wish to certify products under the CodeMark scheme must be accredited and registered.
You must apply to become accredited for the scheme by the appointed product certification accreditation body before you can be registered with MBIE. The position of product certification accreditation body is currently held by Joint Accreditation Systems-Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ).
If you are an accredited and registered PCB under the CodeMark scheme you:
- evaluate building products and methods against the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code, in accordance with the scheme rules and other relevant requirements
- issue CodeMark certificates
- review all CodeMark certificates you have issued under the scheme.
Once you have become accredited and registered under the CodeMark scheme the fees you charge for certification services are a commercial arrangement between you and the certificate holder and are not covered by regulation.
Applying for accreditation
To become a PCB within the CodeMark scheme you must apply for accreditation with the appointed accreditation body, JAS-ANZ.
JAS-ANZ undertakes all accreditation assessments against the accreditation requirements set out in the Building (Product Certification) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) and the CodeMark Scheme Rules.
PCBs must be able to demonstrate they have policies, procedures and systems in place to perform the functions of a PCB competently and impartially. These policies, procedures and systems must include, but are not limited to:
- organisational and management systems
- a detailed process of the certification of a building product or method
- requirements for accepting test reports and technical opinions.
For more detail on accreditation requirements for PCBs please refer to the Regulations and CodeMark Scheme Rules
Learn more about the accreditation process with JAS-ANZ or apply for accreditation - jas-anz.org
The fees for applying for accreditation are stipulated in Schedule 3 of the Building (Product Certification) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations).
Fees
| Activity | Fee (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Application for accreditation as a product certification body | $8,600 |
| Any additional time required after first 2 days to assess application for accreditation | $2,000 per day, or part of a day, per assessor or technical expert |
| Expenses incurred as part of accreditation activities under the above 2 items | Amount of reasonable expenses incurred |
| Audit of accredited PCB under section 262(1)(a) of the Act | $2,000 per day, or part of a day, per assessor or technical expert |
| Expenses incurred as part of audit activities under item above | Amount of reasonable expenses incurred |
To be able to certify products under the CodeMark scheme once you have become accredited you must also apply to be registered by MBIE.
Only accredited and registered Product Certification Bodies that are current on the Te Pae Product Certification Body Register are able to issue product certificates under the CodeMark Scheme.
Te Pae Product Certification Body Register - tepae.building.govt.nz
Applying for registration as a PCB
Ongoing responsibilities
Certified and registered PCBs have ongoing responsibilities to ensure the certified product continues to meet the criteria for certification.
General requirements
- Evaluating building products and building methods (on application from the proprietor) in accordance with the scheme rules and other relevant requirements, e.g. in the Building Act and the Regulations.
- Reviewing all product certificates you’re responsible for at least once a year.
- Keeping and maintaining written records relating to your product certification functions, including the reasons for and outcomes of these decisions (refer to scheme rules for more detail).
- Providing appropriate training for staff and contractors carrying out product certification functions, and make sure their performance is monitored.
- If there are any amendments to the Building Code or other documents relevant to the scheme rules that might affect any current product certificates you're responsible for, it is your responsibility to carry out a review of your certification decisions within three months of these amendments.
- You'll also need to 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 PCB or registered product certificate.
Using the CodeMark (Mark of Conformity)
- Accredited and registered PCBs can use the CodeMark Mark of Conformity in relation to the scheme.
- Check out the Scheme Rules for details of when and how to use the Mark of Conformity, including acceptable colours and size.
Notifications and actions
In addition to the responsibilities above you will be required to provide on-going information to JAS-ANZ, MBIE and certificate holders.
- Information you'll need to give the accreditation body includes:
- a quarterly update of active CodeMark applications, and of any product certificates taken over from another PCB (by conducting a review under section 270(3) of the Act).
- Information to MBIE includes:
- notification of any changes to the information you supplied when applying to be a registered PCB via an application through the Te Pae Portal
- letting MBIE know via the the Te Pae Portal if you issue, suspend, lift the suspension of, or revoke a product certificate
- letting MBIE know via the Te Pae Portal if you take over a product certificate from another PCB (by conducting a review under section 270(3) of the Act).
- Information to proprietors of building methods or products includes:
- letting them know if you intend to suspend or revoke their product certificate, and why
- letting them know if you decide to suspend, lift the suspension of, or revoke their product certificate, and why (and you’ll need to give them reasonable time to respond).