Your overseas building products questions answered

On Monday, 9 June, the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) held a webinar on pathways for overseas building products. The following article contains a transcript of the written questions submitted to MBIE during the webinar 

MBIE is developing three new pathways in which overseas building products can be recognised in New Zealand following the passing of The Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Act 2025. 

The webinar was hosted by Clare Botha, Principal Advisor Building System Delivery and Assurance, who was joined by: 

• Katie Symons, Principal Advisor Engineering, who discussed the new Building Product Specifications and how to give feedback on what product standards and specifications are proposed to be in this pathway. 

• Amanda Macauley, Principal Advisor System Performance and Implementation, and Lisa Clephane, Technical Lead Building Regulatory Services, who discussed the recognition of products certified overseas and Minister Endorsed Standards. 

During the webinar, there was a Q&A opportunity for attendees. The following is a transcript of the written questions asked during the hour-long session. 

MBIE is running a consultation on the draft Building Product Specifications (BPS) until 5pm on Monday, 23 June. To have your say, click on this link. 

Q: Will these changes cover uPVC or HDPE pipe that might be used in a residential setting? 

A: The overarching scope of the legislation will look at all building products. The first version of the Building Product Specifications (BPS) does not include provisions for plumbing products but may be incorporated in the future. Plumbing products may also be included in the other initiatives for overseas product certification. 

Q: In relation to the BPS: Will the standard references in the BPS specify which Acceptable Solutions they relate to? 

A: The acceptable solutions and verification methods will reference the specific sections of the BPS. 

Q: Is it MBIE’s expectation that product suppliers will need to clearly state the compliance pathway (the product technical statement maybe) and that designers will need to check all of that before submitting a building consent application?  

A: The Building Product Information Requirements already require that manufacturers, importers and suppliers provide information on product compliance. More details on the information requirements are available on the Building Performance website: https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/product-assurance-and-certification-schemes/building-product-information-requirements  

Q: Will MBIE publish a method for questioning the suitability of an overseas assessment process? 

A: Yes, we will be publishing operational policy that will provide parameters for assessing overseas certification schemes, including their processes. 

Q: In order to add the BPS to the Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods, MBIE will either have to add them in the Building Code or the cited Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods standards. Which approach will be used, and how long will it take to update any design standards referring to product standards? 

A: Right now, there are a combination of approaches as we transition to develop and publish the BPS for the first time. One of these approaches includes modifications to our citation of design standards in the Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods to remove existing product standard citations and to include references to the BPS in the Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods instead. The preferred option in the future is to contain product specifications in the BPS but this will take time. 

Q: Since most overseas assessment processes do not include an assessment for durability, how will this be dealt with? 

A: It is likely that we’ll need to look to see if there is other evidence that meets our criteria – such as equivalent testing. 

Q: By evaluating overseas certifications and potentially raising them to CodeMark status, does MBIE set itself up as a CodeMark certifier, and if so, who pays? 

A: We are working through if there would be fees attached to the application process, but we’re at the early stage and it’s not set in stone. We’re not trying to set ourselves up as a CodeMark certifier. We will evaluate to make sure it’s robust and relevant to NZ context. Looking at overseas certification schemes, CodeMark and WaterMark Aus provide lots of technical documentation that we can evaluate based on NZ context; that would be MBIE’s job, or the job of people helping us. 

Q: How may designers seek recognition for specific overseas products? If they do, is there a simple process for that? 

A: For 2025, we’re going to proactively priortise overseas standards and products we are familiar with and from familiar jurisdictions. 

Q: Has the BPS draft document been updated to include the new fire standards? 

A: The draft version includes all the fire standards that may be included in the first edition. This includes multiple new standards for fire. If there are additional standards that you think we should add, you can provide this feedback in the consultation. 

Q: Will previous products considered as alternative solutions now be covered by product certification, if within the limitations of use? 

A: Potentially, yes. If that product was evaluated and accepted, it would move out of alternative solutions pathway and into recognised solutions.