NCPR

The National Construction Product Register (NCPR) is an initiative of NATSPEC, a national not-for-profit organisation whose objective is to improve the construction quality and productivity of the built environment through leadership of information. NATSPEC is impartial and is not involved in advocacy or policy development. The NCPR is for assistance, not assurance. The threshold at which product conformity is deemed to have been demonstrated must be determined by a risk assessment process which considers the likelihood and consequence of product failure.

 

 

About the NCPR

The National Construction Product Register (NCPR) is an online searchable database of construction products which have evidence of conformity to relevant Australian and international standards. It is developed and maintained by Construction Information Systems Limited (NATSPEC).

In response to an increase in non-conforming building products, there have been calls for a central register of credible, easily accessible information on conforming products for consumers, designers and contractors. NATSPEC received requests from some government departments and industry organisations to set up a register of construction products because:

  • We are impartial and owned by Government and industry.
  • Our key objective is improving construction quality.
  • We track relevant Australian and international construction standards as part of our update service.
  • We are not involved in advocacy or policy development.

Through the NCPR, NATSPEC aims to raise awareness in the construction industry of the importance of product conformity and help industry mitigate the risk of non-conforming building products in a cost effective way.

NATSPEC’s Stakeholders and Subscribers

For over 40 years, NATSPEC has been delivering the national comprehensive construction specification system endorsed by government and professional bodies. Basing the project specification on the NATSPEC master specification can assist in achieving a project of the required quality.

NATSPEC is owned by the design, build, construct and property industry through professional associations and government property groups. NATSPEC draws on their specialist expertise to make sure its information reflects current industry practices and requirements. The value of NATSPEC is recognised by government procurement agencies and is required on their projects. See a list of NATSPEC’s stakeholders.  

Over 1500 consultant offices and agencies base their specifications on the NATSPEC system. Organisations – ranging from single person practitioners to most of the largest, pre-eminent consultancies in Australia – rely on the most up to date information provided by a NATSPEC subscription to make sure their specifications represent best professional practice. See a list of NATSPEC’s subscribers  .

What the NCPR listing will tell you

If applicable, you will find the following information on a product listed on the NCPR:

Manufacturer Name of the manufacturer or supplier of the product
Website Website address of the manufacturer or supplier of the product
Product/ Product type Commercial name of the product or range of products to which the testing or certification applies/ Generic name for the product or range
Product Partner logo A NATSPEC Product Partner is a building product manufacturer with an agreement with NATSPEC to include a purpose-edited worksection in NATSPEC national specification system
National Classification 4-digit classification number
System classification NATSPEC uses the National Classification System to organise construction information for various purposes in a logical order corresponding to common work sequences in the Australian construction industry
Evidence Identifier Unique numeric or alpha numeric characters assigned to the report or certificate by the conformity assessment body
Industry conformity assessment scheme Evidence of membership of industry conformity assessment scheme
Standard The number, name, year and currency of publication of the standard(s) against which the product is being assessed for conformity
National Construction Code (NCC) Identified standards which are referenced by the NCC and against which the product is being assessed for conformity
Conformity assessment body (CAB) The name of the body which assessed the product for conformity and issued the report, appraisal or certificate
CAB accreditation The name of the authoritative body which attested to the competence of the CAB to perform specific types of testing, inspection, calibration, and other related activities. Note that, for some standards, there may not be a CAB accredited to perform the conformity assessment. While lack of accreditation does not necessarily mean that a CAB is not competent to undertake conformity assessment, third party accreditation is recognised as the most credible type a certification or inspection body can obtain.
Issue date Date of issue stated on the documentary evidence of conformity
Expiry date Date of expiry of validity stated on documentary evidence of conformity.
*Note that test results do not usually include an expiry date and the length of time which has elapsed since the testing should be taken into consideration.
Authentication status Authenticated by CAB: CAB has confirmed the authenticity of the documentary evidence of conformity. Sighted by NATSPEC: NATSPEC has sighted the documentary evidence of conformity.
Notes and limitations Include the type of evidence and some notes on particular limitations of the evidence of conformity

What the NCPR listing won’t tell you

An NCPR product listing is not an endorsement or certification of that product by NATSPEC.

It does not provide information or recommendations on the suitability or use of any product for any particular application, situation or project. The evidence of conformity submitted by a manufacturer may support the use of a product or material in general terms only, and may not provide information on manufacturing controls, limitations on the use of a product and maintenance requirements. That is, the authenticated documentation is evidence of product conformity, not verification of compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC). For more information on the proposed application of a product, please consult the manufacturer or supplier.

Plumbing (WaterMark) and electrical (EESS) product databases are not duplicated by the NCPR.

The NCPR does not address standards developed specifically for environmental product certification schemes.

Copies of documents submitted as evidence of conformity are not available from NATSPEC. For copies of the test reports or certification, please contact the manufacturer or supplier.

Using information from the NCPR

Whilst every effort is being taken to keep the NCPR accurate and up-to-date, Construction Information Systems Limited (NATSPEC) will not be liable in respect of any use or application of its contents.

The National Construction Product Register (NCPR) is for assistance, not assurance. The threshold at which product conformity is deemed to have been demonstrated must be determined by a risk assessment process which considers the likelihood and consequence of product failure.

Testing is a conformity assessment activity used to determine whether the product or material under test meets one or more defined criteria. The results of the test apply to the particular example of the product, or the sample of material, that was tested and it may be inappropriate to interpret the test results as representative of a larger batch of material or commercially supplied products.

Where a product has a high risk profile, seeking additional evidence of conformity in the form of product certification, by bodies accredited by JAS-ANZ or a JAS-ANZ MLA partner, may be more appropriate as product certification schemes can include production and surveillance testing to make sure that the marketed product remains compliant with the relevant standard or code.

For more information, or copies of the test reports or certification referenced on the NCPR, please contact the manufacturer or supplier.

Acceptable evidence of conformity

NATSPEC is not a conformity assessment body   and relies on conformity assessment performed by others. Acceptable evidence of conformity includes the following:

  • Certification by organisations accredited by The Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ). (Note: JAZ-ANZ accreditation provides assurance that an organisation is competent to provide certification services.)
  • Product test reports by organisations accredited by The National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA). (Note: NATA accreditation provides assurance that an organisation is competent to conduct testing or inspection for a particular standard. For some standards, there is no organisation accredited by NATA. Lack of accreditation should not necessarily been seen as lack of competence of a laboratory).
  • Test reports, appraisals or certification by an organisation outside Australia registered by an authority recognised by NATA or JAS-ANZ through a mutual recognition agreement.
  • Certification or membership of an industry scheme may be acceptable, for example where the industry scheme conforms to the recommendations of SA HB 18.60-2005 Conformity assessment—Code of good practice. This handbook is identical to ISO/IEC Guide 60:2004 and supports conformity assessment “characterized by openness, transparency, impartiality, confidentiality, coherence and effectiveness.”

Authentication procedure

Manufacturers wishing to participate in the NCPR submit documentary evidence of conformity to identified standards. The NATSPEC process of authentication of submitted evidence includes the following steps:

  • Confirm product listed in test report/product certification is the same product submitted for listing on the NCPR.
  • Check if document authors are a registered testing authority (RTA) or accredited conformance assessment body for the relevant standard as listed on NATA website, JAS-ANZ website or other recognised organisation.
  • Confirm the document authors issued report by checking with the conformity assessment body. Where this is not practical, the authentication status is listed as 'Sighted by NATSPEC'.
  • Confirm the document includes the name, signature and contact details of the person making the conformance claim.
  • Confirm that the document clearly states that the product passed the relevant tests and meets the standard(s). Note that certain NATA fields or programs do not allow the inclusion of interpretations and opinions on reports – NATSPEC will not interpret results as evidence of conformity or non-conformity.
  • Check that the document clearly states any exclusions or limitations on the testing or performance of the product.
  • Record product, relevant standard, test report title, testing organisation, date of test and notes.
  • Maintain currency by tracking expiry dates.