Steel is one of the most important materials in construction, playing a crucial role in the safety and durability of buildings and infrastructure. As much as a third of Australian steel is imported, with millions of tonnes coming from China, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and elsewhere. Unfortunately, not all steel bought for Australian projects meets Australian Standards – even when it claims it does. Misleading labels and false documentation are common.
All steel used for buildings in Australia must meet Australian Standards. Steel materials manufactured to overseas standards are NOT “equivalent” to steels manufactured to AS/NZS standards, despite any claims to the contrary.
How to validate compliance
Without rigorous checks in place, it’s impossible to be sure the steel used in a building meets the minimum required standards and is what was specified and paid for.
To ensure you are getting the necessary level of rigour, use steel certified by ACRS – the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels – for assurance around compliance.
A certificate from a product certification body accredited by JAS-ANZ, as ACRS is, is valid substantiation to demonstrate that a product complies with the National Construction Code.
ACRS independent, expert certification gives peace of mind and minimises the risks of: – safety concerns – fraudulent supply – project delays – unforeseen costs – reputational issues – end-client friction
Using third-party certification
For peace of mind on steel, projects can specify ACRS steel early on and procure certified steel by checking providers at steelcertification.com find-acrs-certificate-holders. It’s as simple as 1. Look for the ACRS mark when sourcing steel 2. Download ACRS Cloud app to validate certification instantly
The Cloud app is the only verification tool of its kind available, putting assurance in users’ hands wherever and whenever they need it, including bar and tag markings; product origins; validity and assurance credentials. Available on Apple or Android, and completely free to download and use.
When looking for compliant steels, look for the ACRS logo as these manufacturers/processors have demonstrated they meet the requirements of the premier rigorous steel certification scheme accredited by JASANZ.
