ACRS Accreditation by JAS-ANZ to ISO17065

22 July 2014 

As members will be aware, BOINZ is a board member of the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels Ltds (ACRS).

ACRS credibility has recently been enhanced by their successful accreditation by the Joint Accreditation System, of Australia and New Zealand. JAS-ANZ is the government-appointed accreditation body for Australia and New Zealand responsible for providing accreditation of conformity assessment bodies (CABs) in the fields of certification and inspection.

Accreditation by JAS-ANZ demonstrates the governance, independence and conformance of the ACRS scheme with internationally applicable operating procedures for product certification bodies. ACRS underwent the JAS-ANZ assessment process over the last year, and the professionalism and rigour of ACRS was confirmed as being in accordance with the recently released global standard for third party product certification bodies, ISO 17065 – 2012 – the first product certification body to be so recognised in Australia or New Zealand.

ACRS has a long way from its initial expansion from 2005-6. Then, ACRS certified 23 sites in only 3 countries. Today, ACRS assesses and certifies manufacturing & processing at over 150 locations in 15 countries reflecting the continuous growth in demand for ACRS independent, expert certification services.

ACRS increasing recognition and specification has brought its own challenges. It has experienced increasing numbers of manufacturers and processors that have made enquiry or application for certification being found upon ACRS review to fall short of the minimum requirements demanded by AS/NZS Standards.

ACRS unique, rigorous and expert assessment capability has successfully maintained a level playing field for customers, specifiers and compliant producers alike.

ACRS is continuing to liaise with government and standards setting bodies developing conformity schemes, so that it can provide a one-stop shop service of third party certification across construction steels.

Leveraging the strength of the ACRS brand and ACRS rigorous and internationally recognised certification capability is the value being offered to everyone concerned about compliance.

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