Scheme ACRS Traceability Certification
Third-party traceability certification for firms processing, fabricating, distributing, or supplying ACRS-certified steel products through the Australian and New Zealand construction supply chain.
Full Description
ACRS Traceability Certification
The Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels Ltd (ACRS) operates a third-party traceability certification scheme for firms that process, fabricate, distribute, trade, or supply ACRS-certified steel products through the Australian and New Zealand construction supply chain.
About This Scheme
The ACRS Traceability Certification scheme is governed by ADM 017 — Traceability Certification Scheme Rules (Version 1.3, operative 19 September 2020). It operates on a common framework with the ACRS Product Certification scheme and is designed and operated in accordance with:
- AS/NZS ISO/IEC 17067:2014 — Conformity assessment — Fundamentals of product certification
- AS/NZS ISO/IEC 17065:2013 — Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services
- SA HB 18.23-1991 (ISO/IEC Guide 23) — Methods of indicating conformity with standards for third-party certification systems
- SA HB 18.27-1991 (ISO Guide 27) — Guidelines for corrective action by a certification body in the event of misuse of its mark
Purpose
The objective of this scheme is to provide a means by which companies producing, distributing, trading, procuring, or supplying Approved Materials under the ACRS Product Certification Scheme may demonstrate that they operate effective and consistent processes and controls that maintain verified supply of those Approved Materials through the supply chain to the final customer, including through any stages of processing, fabrication, or other transformation from the originally manufactured product.
Approved Materials are Assessable Materials for which a Certificate has been issued under the ACRS Product Certification Scheme.
Scope
This scheme covers product traceability certification for:
- Processors and fabricators of reinforcing steels (e.g. AS/NZS 4671) and structural steel materials (e.g. AS/NZS 3679.2)
- Distributors and traders of steel products
- Suppliers of Approved Materials through the downstream supply chain
Upstream steel manufacturers are certified under the ACRS Product Certification scheme; this scheme extends traceability assurance to the downstream supply chain.
Who Applies
This scheme is for organisations that do not manufacture steel from raw inputs but handle, transform, or supply Approved Materials:
| Organisation Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Processors | Reinforcing steel mesh manufacturers, bar processors, cut-and-bend operations |
| Fabricators | Structural steel fabricators, reinforcing steel fabricators |
| Distributors | Stockists, service centres, steel distributors |
| Traders / Suppliers | Importers, agents, supply chain intermediaries |
Traceability Requirements
Certified firms must demonstrate compliant controls across seven traceability areas:
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Procurement | Purchasing only Approved Materials from certified sources; verifying certification status of suppliers |
| Identification | Maintaining clear identification and marking of Approved Materials throughout the facility |
| Segregation and Storage | Keeping Approved Materials physically separated from non-Approved Materials |
| Transformation Control | Maintaining traceability through any processing or fabrication operations |
| Preservation | Protecting the integrity and identification of materials during handling and storage |
| Declaration | Accurately declaring the certification status of materials supplied to customers |
| Dispatch and Supply | Ensuring correct documentation accompanies materials at point of supply |
Certificate Types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Producer Certificate | Issued to steel-making facilities holding ACRS Product Certification that also participate in the Traceability scheme |
| Supplier Certificate | Issued to firms that supply Approved Materials (e.g. distributors, importers) without further transformation |
| Traceability Certificate | Issued to firms that process, fabricate, or otherwise transform Approved Materials and demonstrate compliant traceability controls |
Certification Outcomes
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Certified | All traceability requirements met; ACRS Traceability certificate issued |
| Certified with Corrective Action Required | Certificate valid; minor nonconformities to be resolved via CAR |
| Suspended | Certificate suspended; major nonconformities or overdue corrective actions |
| Not Certified | Requirements not met; certificate refused or withdrawn |
Relationship to ACRS Product Certification
The Traceability scheme operates on a common framework with the ACRS Product Certification scheme. Firms may hold:
- A Product Certification certificate — certifying the steel they produce meets applicable standards
- A Traceability Certification certificate — certifying their supply chain processes maintain verified traceability of Approved Materials
A firm that both manufactures and distributes steel products may hold certificates under both schemes simultaneously.
Further Information
- Website: www.steelcertification.com
- Executive Director: Andrew Wheeler — awheeler@steelcertification.com
- Address: PO Box 1369, Crows Nest NSW 1585, Australia
- Scheme Rules: ADM 017 (available on the ACRS website)
Included Profiles (0)
No profiles have been defined for this scheme yet.
Criterion Scoring Framework
ACRS Traceability certification status reflects the publicly registered state of a firm's certificate as shown in the ACRS Certificate Register. Status is determined by the outcome of evaluations against the traceability requirements of ADM 017.
CERTIFIED: Certified
Severity 1
Definition "All traceability requirements met; ACRS Traceability certificate issued"
NON-PRODUCER: Non Producer
Severity 2
Definition "Non-Producer Certificate active; firm meets all traceability requirements for a processing or fabricating facility"
VOLUNTARY-RELINQUISHMENT: Voluntary Relinquishment
Severity 3
Definition "Certificate voluntarily relinquished by the firm; certification no longer active"
SITE-CLOSED: Site Closed
Severity 4
Definition "Certified site permanently closed; certificate no longer valid"
TERMINATED-NON-COMPLIANCE: Terminated for Non-compliance
Severity 5
Definition "Certificate terminated by ACRS due to failure to meet applicable requirements"