Understanding BRANZ’s role

BRANZ CEO Chelydra Percy wants to clear up a misconception. While BRANZ does excellent work providing the industry with practical solutions, it is not a regulator and therefore not responsible for approving the use of products

In recent months, the industry has hogged the headlines – supply chain issues, the plasterboard crisis and staff shortages have all featured prominently.

While it’s clear the pandemic was largely responsible for supply chain pain, that hasn’t stopped the odd bit of finger pointing. Fortunately, most industry players were focused on finding solutions.

The hue and cry has reminded us there can be confusion around the role we play in the building system. It has driven home how important it is that the industry understands what BRANZ can and cannot do, particularly regarding product regulation.

BRANZ doesn’t regulate products

Quite simply, BRANZ is not a product regulator. We do not approve products for use in New Zealand – for example, we were unable to solve the plasterboard crisis by simply approving new brands. Under New Zealand’s performance-based Building Code, manufacturers and suppliers must provide evidence of compliance with all relevant Code clauses. Ways they can do this include:

• Providing technical product information.
• Getting an independent product assessment.
• Showing adherence with an industry-based scheme.
• Having the product BRANZ Appraised.
• Having the product certified – via the CodeMark scheme owned by MBIE and administered by JAS-ANZ.

Providing trusted independent information

BRANZ’s role in this is often misunderstood. We are just one of several companies providing product testing and assurance services on a commercial basis to manufacturers and suppliers. We also support manufacturers and suppliers to demonstrate Code compliance through any of the mechanisms listed above.

We understand the power of the BRANZ brand and the BRANZ Appraisal. We know there is strong reliance on a BRANZ Appraisal, test and assessment, and we are proud that our work is held in such high regard.

However, in some ways, we have been a victim of our own success, as the trust in our work has led to a perception that products can’t be used without BRANZ approval. We see architects, specifiers, building consent officials and even builders pushing back on companies trying to introduce new products, asking ”is it tested by BRANZ”?

New ways of doing things are now necessary

Whether it is driven by supply chain, climate change or just supporting innovation, the industry will need more alternative products or ways of doing things.

It’s great to see the industry already taking up the challenge. For example, bigger construction firms and developers imported plasterboard, and many BCAs supported the use of alternative products and designs. Manufacturers and distributors are also actively working on reducing the carbon emissions of their products.

This is heartening at a time when there is increasing awareness of the industry’s role in supporting New Zealand’s climate change ambitions. Everyone will have to be open to new ideas to ensure we continue to have a thriving industry.

What we’re doing

So, what is BRANZ doing? We continue to work with manufacturers and suppliers, helping with product development processes and providing the necessary information to support their products in the market.

We provide robust evidence about material and product performance in New Zealand conditions, such as our recent work on structural insulated panels, and we educate on Code compliance pathways.

This work is central to BRANZ’s focus on providing practical solutions that assist the industry to tackle challenges, transform and innovate.

 

Article by Chelydra Percy, BRANZ CEO. Image supplied by BRANZ.