The Australian Building Codes Board has launched a new web site where owners can report concerns about non-conforming building products in their property.

Kristin Brookfield, Chief Executive Industry Policy with the HIA, told SCHWARTZWILLIAMS, "As an owner, if you have had new building work recently done [and you are concerned], then you should contact the builder in the first instance. If your building is older and has had no new work, then contacting the local council would be the sensible first step."

Testing building products is a complicated and, at times, expensive process, said Brookfield, but may be required if owners are concerned about building materials.

"There is a framework in place for testing bodies that manages what they can test and how it should be tested. There are also rules in place about the types of certificate that should be produced when testing is completed.

To help those concerned about building product safety, The Australian Building Codes Board has launched a national webpage to help people understand more about building product safety, and, for those concerned about non-conforming products being used in their building, concerns can be reported here.

“A national webpage like this is important for everyone in the building product supply chain - builders, consumers, building certifiers and companies that make building products,” said Brookfield.

The site contains links to help you find the correct regulators in your area, a place where you can submit an enquiry or complaint about a product or material, and links to the relevant consumer protection agencies.

The Building Ministers’ Forum met last Friday and, in the wake of the London fire and calls by many to undertake audits of residential apartment buildings and other high-risk buildings, the minister announced he will engage an expert to review compliance and enforcement of building regulations in Australia.

The ABCB is also expediting its work with the National Construction Code which is aimed at ensuring everyone in the building process interprets the code correctly.

“HIA has focused on supporting our members to improve their awareness of the problems associated with non-conforming building products," said Brookfield, adding that political support is also required to "ensure that builders are not the only people responsible for checking product quality".

Click here to visit the ACBC's web site about building product safety.

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