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, and the Middle East.
All steel used for buildings in Australia must meet Australian Standards. Unfortunately, not all steel purchased for Australian projects does meet those Standards – even when it claims it does. Misleading labels and false documentation are common.
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 legally demonstrate that a product complies with the National Construction Code.
ACRS’ independent, expert certification minimises 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 and then procure it by checking providers at steelcertification.com/find-acrs-certificate-holders.
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, and you can confirm this again when steel is delivered.
It’s as simple as:
1. Looking for the ACRS mark when sourcing steel
2. Downloading ACRS Cloud app to validate certification instantly
The Cloud app is the only verification tool of its kind – available on Apple & Android, free to download and use.
To learn more about staying steel safe and compliant, a short course is now available via TAFE with everything you need to know about steel standards, demonstrating compliance, and your liabilities. Taking this course will give you confidence around avoiding risks and protecting yourself and others.
Find it at store.training.tafensw.edu.auproduct/how-to-stay-steel-safe/ or SteelCertification.com
