Kiwa Agrément Ireland launches to transform building product certification landscape

Kiwa Building Products, part of the global certification group, is extending its service so Irish building product and system manufacturers can access a faster route to an Irish Agrément

The Agrément is the technical certification scheme for innovative building products and systems aligned with current building regulations in Ireland. It provides independent assurance of product performance, safety and regulatory compliance.

Drawing on its global capabilities, substantial resources and technical expertise, Kiwa Agrément Ireland is now offering a fully transparent and collaborative certification process. This will ensure that new building products meet relevant building regulations and have been rigorously tested and assessed before release.

Cutting certification timescales

As a valid alternative to the current NSAI Agrément offering, and recognised by key stakeholders in the sector, Kiwa Agrément Ireland will support businesses looking to speed up the required certification process so products can get to market quicker.

Kiwa Agrément Ireland expects that successful product certification can be achieved in a number of months, compared to the extended timescales currently experienced by companies using the NSAI-backed process.

The new service is already supporting a number of Ireland-based businesses through the certification process. In addition, it expects to work with companies which have existing UK Agréments in place and who are actively looking to partner with Kiwa Agrément Ireland to expand their own markets into Ireland.

Robert Kennett, Product Manager at Kiwa, comments: “Irish third-party assessment of new building products and systems is currently underserved.  Kiwa intends to rectify this by shaking up the market and providing a much faster service based on collaboration, clear communication, and existing technical certification expertise.

“Companies in Ireland, as well as those serving the Irish construction market from the UK, now have an alternative option when it comes to the required certification assessments necessary for product release onto the market.

“We commit to offering a customer-focused approach; one which ensures that we work alongside our clients, and they are kept fully informed through the entire certification process.  By partnering in this way, we intend to deliver added value to the certification journey and help customers get their products to market in a far quicker and more efficient manner.

“This is also a great opportunity to combine both UK and Irish Agrément projects with a single provider enhancing efficiencies, transparency and success.”