Following recent, widely publicised incidences of unidentified, or mixed conforming and nonconforming products used in major construction projects, ACRS has introduced a new end-to-end traceability scheme for construction steels supplied to AS/NZS Standards that will provide a uniform assessment framework across the supply chain.
This new certification system complements the existing traceability provisions in the ACRS steel product certification scheme that already covers supply of ACRS certified materials between ACRS certified steel mills, and the subsequent working of that steel into finished form by ACRS certified processing and fabricating companies.
ACRS traceability certification applies to the types of steel supplier not already covered by existing ACRS product certification, such as steel traders, distributors, retailers, or component suppliers (e.g. bolts, couplers, and connectors), who operate between the steel mill and the final steel processor or fabricator.
First, let's define "end-to-end." When we say “end-to-end,” we're talking about the ability to track information on all raw materials, components, and associated processes across the supply chain, including the design, manufacturing, supply, and delivery phases. “End-to-end” traceability is directly comparable to the existing ACRS product certification scheme’s cornerstone, 2-stage “All products, all locations” certification that has delivered market confidence in steels supplied under ACRS steel certification for nearly 20-years.
Traceability is a crucial ability for quickly and effectively investigating customer complaints and managing potential product recalls. This links directly to improved quality and product consistency and compliance. Additionally, ACRS traceability certification helps identify the root causes of defective products so they can be isolated and any supplier issues dealt with effectively. Finally, mistakes do sometimes happen, where products are inadvertently mixed and dispatched to an otherwise unsuspecting customer.
Whilst End to End Traceability assurance is already fully provided within the existing ACRS product certification scheme for reinforcing steels (i.e. to the rebar processor from the rebar manufacturer) and for structural steels (e.g. welded sections fabricator from the plate manufacturer), increasing occurrences of unexpectedly noncompliant materials supplied through established distribution channels lead to demands by engineers, building surveyors and building contractors that ACRS provide clarity also provide certification of the intermediate steel traders, distributors, and fastener suppliers e.g. (bolts and couplers). ACRS began investigation and discussions stakeholders and interested parties in early 2017 to develop a scheme to meet Australian and New Zealand requirements for compliance and public safety, by:
To ensure traceability throughout the supply chain a system is needed that records and follows the journey as parts and materials come from suppliers and are processed and ultimately distributed as end-products. The new ACRS Traceability Scheme simply provides this across and along the supply chain. This includes the gathering of information on the components of products, parts and materials, product quality, safety, and labelling. The new scheme uses the existing ACRS product scheme and the internationally recognised EU model, so will be easily understood and followed. A vital component within this certification process is product identification and the maintenance of that identity to ensure that it remains unchanged and undiluted as the original product makes its journey to its ultimate destination.
If your supplier already has ACRS certification, you may already have all or most of the necessary certification. ACRS covers traceability through the two-stage certification model. Traceability is therefore covered between ACRS certified steel mills and the subsequent ACRS certified rebar processors, cold-formed hollow steel manufacturers, and welded section fabricators. In these cases, no further certification is needed, and no further costs will be incurred by these certificate holders. Otherwise, ACRS Traceability Certification will give confidence that the supplier has sourced and provided you with the correctly assessed and validated steels.
Yes. Absolutely. Unlike ACRS product certification, ACRS Traceability Certification simply verifies that the Supplier maintains adequate separation between different sources of materials so that non-ACRS certified materials are not mistakenly supplied to your site when ACRS certified materials are required.
Yes. The new ACRS Traceability scheme is due for full release in from January 2019, and ACRS is accepting applications for certification now.
Simply contact ACRS at info@steelcertification.com, or ring tel: +61 02 9965 7216 for a free, no-obligation discussion.
The Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels (“ACRS”) owns and administers three consumer-oriented, independent, expert, not-for-profit, third-party steel certification schemes: Product Conformity, Product Traceability, and Quality Systems.
ACRS member companies support and represent a balanced range of interests, including government, specifiers, builders certifiers and suppliers. ACRS members endorse ACRS certification though their organisations and practice.
