Agrément South Africa, an agency of the Department of Public Works managed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has awarded 29 fit-for-purpose certificates during the 2016/2017 financial year following a rigorous process of testing and evaluation.

The CSIR has been managing Agrément South Africa for 48 years.

Certificates were handed over to 29 construction companies at a function held at the CSIR in Pretoria on Tuesday. The agency handed over 29 fit-for-purpose certificates in the last financial year.

Agrément South Africa evaluates the fitness for purpose of non-standardised construction products, materials and systems against performance-based criteria.

The purpose of Agrément certification is to assist manufacturers and suppliers of non-standard and innovative building products, materials and systems in the South African market to provide products that are fit-for-purpose.

Some of the materials, products and systems that were awarded the fit-for-purpose certificate include a water tank, two building systems, a composite door frame, a road repair system, a sanitation system and two traffic monitoring systems.

Agrément SA CEO, Joe Odhiambo, says the agency’s certification is important since it gives contractors status and legitimacy within the national building industry, reduces risk to the end user and encourages innovation.

Certificate holders meet the requirements of the National Building Regulations in that certification is deemed-to-satisfy requirements. Without such certification materials, products and systems should meet the requirements of South African National Standards which unfortunately are applicable only to standardised products.

Products that carry a level of assurance inevitably gain greater market acceptance and recognition as end-users have greater confidence in the products and the technical information provided.

“The way we build today is completely different from the way we built 50 years ago. The need for a service to help test innovative and improved building materials, products and systems will remain prominent,” concludes Odhiambo.

ENDS

For more information, please contact: Tendani Tsedu, CSIR Group Manager: Strategic Communications at 082 945 1980 or 012 841 3417 or mtsedu@csir.co.za

About the CSIR

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research is a world-class African research and development organisation established through an Act of Parliament in 1945. The CSIR undertakes directed, multidisciplinary research and technological innovation that contributes to the improved quality of life of South Africans.

For more information, please visit www.csir.co.za.

About Agrément South Africa

Agrément South Africa aims to support and promote the process of integrated socio-economic development in South Africa as it relates to the construction industry by facilitating the introduction, application and utilisation of satisfactory innovation and technology development in South Africa.

For more information, please visit www.agrement.co.za.