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Building product accreditation

The Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) assesses product accreditation applications against the performance requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) or the Building Regulations 2018 (the Regulations). The BRAC will consider the accreditation of building products, including construction methods, design components or systems connected with building work. The BRAC cannot consider applications for building products if the product complies with the deemed-to-satisfy provisions of the BCA.

The product accreditation process applies to innovative solutions that are difficult to assess by individual building surveyors. Central assessment by the BRAC helps ensure consistency and greater efficiency.

A certificate of building product accreditation is proof that a product meets the performance requirements of the Regulations or the BCA. Once a product is accredited, there is no need to prove its suitability each time building work requires a building permit. A building surveyor must accept the product, method, design, component or system if the use complies with the accreditation.

You can find out if a product has been accredited by checking the BRAC register of accredited products (PDF, 148.1 KB).

Victorian accreditation or national certification

The BRAC’s Victorian product accreditation system operates alongside a national product certification system, CodeMark. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) manages Codemark.

For products that will only be used only in Victoria or if the initial marketing strategy is limited to Victoria, then Victorian accreditation may be appropriate.

If the product is to be used beyond Victoria, then national certification may be more suitable. You can find out more about the national certification system on the Australian Building Codes Board website, or call 1300 134 631.

The Victorian product accreditation process

To apply for accreditation in Victoria, the product owner (or agent of owner) needs to submit an application to the BRAC.

The BRAC meets each month and decides on an accreditation application after assessing all relevant test reports, appraisals or opinions submitted with the application.

If the BRAC is satisfied that the product meets the performance requirements of the Regulations or BCA and is suitable for accreditation, then a Certificate of Accreditation is issued.

How to lodge an application

In the first instance, you should consult a Technical Advisor from the VBA’s Technical and Regulation Building unit, who can evaluate if your product is suitable for accreditation. Consultation at an early stage of the process can also identify which accreditation system is most suitable.

After the initial consultation has taken place and you have decided to proceed with Victorian product accreditation, you need to provide a written application with supporting documentation to the BRAC.

The supporting documentation needs to identify the building product material, the method of construction and design of the components for the work. Evidence that the product is fit for the purpose for which it is intended is also required.

  1. Refer to the BRAC’s Product Accreditation Information Sheet (PDF, 104.14 KB) for the mandatory documentation that must be submitted with the application
  2. Fill in the BRAC’s Product Accreditation Application Form (PDF, 302.38 KB)
  3. Fill in the Payment Authorisation Form (PDF, 235.83 KB)
  4. Submit the application with the relevant fee and supporting documentation via email to BRAC@vba.vic.gov.au

You will be notified when the BRAC intends to consider your application. The BRAC may ask you to supply further test reports, appraisals or opinions to help them make a decision.

You will responsible for arranging and paying for any reports, appraisals or opinions requested by the BRAC.

The BRAC treats all information contained in any application as strictly confidential.