MBIE reiterates offer: get in touch with us about non-compliant building products.

As previously reported on this website, MBIE is inviting the industry to alert the Ministry about potentially sub-par building products. A statement just released says:

"In response to recent media coverage involving allegations that some building products are unfit for purpose or non-compliant with the Building Code, MBIE has established a dedicated email address to collect product complaints for analysis and investigation.

"We encourage you to get in touch with us at products@mbie.govt.nz if you have a complaint about a particular building product. Even though a number of concerns have been raised in the media, MBIE has yet to receive specific details or evidence for most of these.

"We also encourage you to pass on this email address to anyone else you know has specific concerns.

"Your efforts will greatly help us in our investigations and in trying to establish the degree of any problems within the building market."

MBIE asks parties to include the following information:

• The name of the building product.
• Where it was purchased or who it was supplied by, if this is known.
• Any compliance information you have for the product from the manufacturer or supplier; such as test reports, assessments or calculations, claims of compliance, technical information etc.
• The reasons why you believe the product does not comply with the Building Code.
• Any evidence of failure; such as photographs, or locations where it was used.
• Any other information you think supports an investigation.

MBIE is also keen to clarify that complaints regarding false or unsubstantiated claims as well as misleading advertising should be directed to the Commerce Commission and not MBIE.

MBIE has recently updated its product assurance toolkit to help explain to product manufacturers and suppliers the various legal obligations they have and how to determine what they need to do to show their product complies with the Building Code.

This toolkit is available online at www.building.govt.nz/product-assurance.