Recently JAS-ANZ became aware of the unauthorised use of the JAS-ANZ accreditation symbol by Jinshan International Australia (Jinshan).

The issue relates to formply that is being imported into Australia from Shanghai, China. Only products that have been assessed and licensed by a JAS-ANZ accredited certification body may carry the JAS-ANZ symbol in association with the certification body’s mark.

JAS-ANZ has requested that Jinshan immediately discontinue the unauthorised marking of products with the JAS-ANZ accreditation symbol. JAS-ANZ has also alerted Jinshan that its activities in relation to the sale of the formply in Australia may be in breach of Australia’s Trade Practices Act.

JAS-ANZ recommends that the building industry pay close attention to product certification claims, including requesting further evidence of certification from suppliers.

How industry can determine if a product certification is valid

Step 1. Examine the certification markings on the product

An examination of the product may provide an initial indication of whether the product has a JAS-ANZ accredited certification for the standard.

Products certified under JAS-ANZ’s product certification program may carry the JAS-ANZ accreditation symbol alongside the mark, logo or name of the certification body. The relevant standard may also be carried close to these marks. The industry standards for formply in this case are AS/NZS 2269 and AS 6669. Below is an example of how the information may be printed or stamped on the formply.

If any of these elements are missing (for instance certification body mark, the JAS-ANZ symbol, and/ or the relevant standard) then further information should be sought from the supplier and/ or the certification body.

As at 23 April 2008 JAS-ANZ accredited two certification bodies for AS/NZS 2269 (BSI Management Systems Australia & New Zealand, and the Plywood Association of Australasia) and one for AS 6669 (the Plywood Association of Australasia).

Step 2. Search the JAS-ANZ Register of Certified Organisations

The next step is to check if the manufacturer is listed in JAS-ANZ’s register as having product certification for this standard.

To complete this search you need to know (i) the name of the certification body (ii) the standard; and (iii) the name of the manufacturer of the product.

1. Visit www.jas-anz.com.au/register and select the “Certified Organisations” link.  An image of the search screen is shown below. In undertaking this search, only enter information into the two boxes mentioned, leave the other boxes as they are.

2. Select the name of the certification body from the “Accredited Body” drop down list. If the certification body is not listed then they do not have JAS-ANZ accreditation. You should contact the supplier and discuss this with them.

3. Enter the standard name/ number into the “Other Standard” box. In this case enter AS/NZS 2269. Note that the search requires precise standard information. For instance AS 2269 will not work, nor will AS-NZS 2269).

4. Hit the search button and a list of manufacturers with JAS-ANZ accredited certificates issued by the certification body for this standard will be presented.

5. If the manufacturer of the product is listed then the product has JAS-ANZ accredited certification for that standard. You can purchase with the confidence that the product has been independently assessed by an accredited certification body as meeting the standard.

If the manufacturer is not listed then you should contact the supplier and/ or certification body and discuss this with them. You may request a copy of the associated certificate of conformity.

Further instances of unauthorised use of the JAS-ANZ accreditation symbol

JAS-ANZ would be very interested to learn of other instances of unauthorised use of the JAS-ANZ accreditation symbol. Please report this information to JAS-ANZ, our contact details are available here.