Proposed modular component manufacturer rules

Several changes to support housing supply and affordability, improve trust and confidence in the building sector and to implement systems to speed up consenting for new, innovative and efficient building methods passed last year as the Building (Building Products and Methods, Modular Components, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021.

MBIE is developing rules for a new voluntary modular component manufacturer certification scheme that will provide operational detail for how manufacturers, certification bodies and the accreditation body are to perform their functions under the Act. MBIE is seeking feedback from the sector and interested parties to ensure the new rules are clear, workable and able to be implemented effectively.

The new scheme will provide manufacturers who meet certain requirements access to a streamlined consenting pathway allowing them to provide certificates covering their design and/or manufacturing processes in line with their scope of certification. Modular components produced by certified and registered manufacturers will be deemed to comply with the Building Code.

The rules aim to provide certainty to scheme participants about their roles and responsibilities, the operating process and the evaluation criteria.

The proposed scheme rules cover:

• requirements for the accreditation body when auditing and investigating certification bodies
• requirements and technical competencies for accredited certification bodies
• details of the process accredited certification bodies must follow when certifying manufacturers, including a proposed risk assessment framework and methodology for evaluating manufacturers
• requirements for manufacturing and design (if applicable) processes, policies and procedures for certified manufacturers
• requirements for certified manufacturers to have staff competency and training processes
• obligations for manufacturers, including certificate information requirements

Certification bodies will be able to apply to be accredited and registered under the scheme from September 2022. Modular component manufacturers will be able to apply to be certified once there is an accredited and registered certification body to review applications.

This is a summary of the proposed changes only. Please refer to the discussion document for more detailed information.