Over the past decade, non-conforming building products have become a major concern in the building industry and wider community. The term "non-conforming" means that these products do not conform to the requirements of their intended purpose. Such products may claim to be something they're not, fail to meet the standards for their intended use, or be marketed and supplied with the intent to deceive those who use them.
Non-complying products, on the other hand, are valid in and of themselves, but are used in a way that does not comply with regulatory requirements. Compliance and conformance are two very important issues that relate to the overall quality, safety and integrity of the built environment.
As a not-for-profit organisation that promotes construction information, NATSPEC takes these issues very seriously, and we know that compliance and conformance are concerns for our Product Partners as well. The National Construction Product Register (NCPR), managed by NATSPEC, is an important contribution to industry information about conformance and non-conforming building products in the Australian construction community.
The NCPR is a freely available online database of construction products with evidence that they conform to Australian and international standards. Working with testing laboratories and certification bodies that have been accredited by NATA and JAS-ANZ, NATSPEC verifies each product's evidence of conformity. The NCPR is an impartial database that assists building professionals in selecting the most appropriate products for their projects. The database creates trust between product manufacturers and users.
Ensuring compliance and product conformity is an essential part of the design and construction process. Manufacturers and other organisations can play their part too. As a construction information organisation, NATSPEC has taken on the responsibility of independently verifying products' evidence of conformity to contribute to a safer built environment.
For further information visit https://www.ncpr.com.au/