SCA adds AS/NZS ISO 3834 to its JAS-ANZ accredited certification service

Steelwork Compliance Australia (SCA) is now certifying fabricators to both AS/ANZ 5131 and AS/NZS ISO 3834, optimising efficiency, and cost effectiveness, whilst reducing administrative workload.

SCA has recently been awarded JAS-ANZ accreditation to audit and certify fabricators to both AS/ANZ 5131 and AS/NZS ISO 3834 Parts 2, 3 and 4, which is a logical step as welding compliance is a critical component to compliant supply, fabrication and erection of structural steelwork under the National Structural Steelwork Compliance Scheme (NSSCS). The ASI developed the NSSCS as an independent, third-party quality compliance and certification scheme, hence ensuring fit-for-purpose deliverables to the industry.

SCA is an independent certifying body (CB) that administers third-party certification of fabricators under the NSSCS. The requirements of AS/ NZS ISO 3834 are an integral part of AS/NZS 5131 certification and therefore dual certification opportunities are presented. The JAS-ANZ accreditation for SCA to certify both standards will result in real benefits to the entire steel industry as a recognised third-party accredited scheme.

General manager of SCA Bushan Salunke is particularly excited about the opportunities and efficiencies that the increase in the certification breadth will bring to the fabrication community and steelwork supply chain. "The requirements of AS/NZS ISO 3834 as referenced in AS/NZS 5131 are already mandatory, so the efficiencies realised in the auditing and certification process will result in substantive cost and time effectiveness for SCA clients,” Bushan said.

“Certification for both standards will satisfy the requirements of a range of procurement specifications and benefit the industry in general. Our audit process is ready for 3834, and our auditors are qualified and informed. We can deliver dual certification in the same audit, or we can provide stand-alone audits.”

JAS-ANZ awarding SCA accreditation to independently audit and certify the steel supply chain to both standards provides specifiers confidence in the certification under the NSSCS.

The ASI supports the move

The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) which has implemented many initiatives to improve compliance for structural steelwork in Australia including the development of the NSSCS and significant input into both AS/NZS 5131 and the structural steel design standard AS 4100, which is referenced by the National Construction Code (NCC), welcomes SCA’s ability to certify fabricators to both standards.

ASI’s national technical development manager Dr Peter Key said the standards are inexorably linked. “The National Construction Code references AS 4100, which in turn references AS /NZS 5131, which requires welding to satisfy the requirements of AS/NSZ ISO 3834. Having fabricators audited and certified to both AS /NZS 5131 and AS/NZS ISO 3834 standards by a single third-party accredited certifier will help ensure demonstrable and verifiable quality outcomes.”

What does this mean for the members of the supply chain?

Benefits for fabricators:

• Certification of all elements of the fabrication and supply process will become a “ticket to the game” satisfying end-client requirements
• The ability to offer dual certification will result in significant cost and time efficiencies and a reduction in administration
• Certification helps differentiate the fabricator as it demonstrates commitment, capability and quality, effectively meeting a technical pre-qualification process
• A holistic and transparent compliance environment provides the pathway to compete on a level quality benchmark

Benefit for builders:

• Decreases the level of risk as SCA and the NSSCS are JAS-ANZ accredited for both standards
• Saves administration time comparing multiple certification methods

Benefit for clients and government:

• Provides confidence that the steelwork contractor is competent and has been audited across the entire breadth of requirements
• Assurance that the tender offer is based on like-for-like quality comparison 
• Provides the opportunity to specify compliance schemes that have been independently accredited by JAS-ANZ