FAQs Archive - Agrément South Africa

Q: 1. What is Agrement South Africa (ASA)?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none"][fusion_text content_alignment="justify"] Agrément South Africa (ASA)was established in terms of a delegation of Authority from the then Minister of Public Works in July 1969. The organisation is currently a schedule 3A public entity under the Public Finance Management Act No. 11 of 1999 and is established under the Agrément South Africa Act No 11 of 2015. The organisation is an entity of the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (NDPWI) and its mandate is within the domain of the built environment and as such, the legislation and mandates that impact on the built environment and public works guide the functioning and operations of Agrément South Africa. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: 2. What is the difference between ASA and South African Bureau of Standard (SABS)?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none"][fusion_text content_alignment="justify"] The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and Agrément South Africa (ASA) are two independent organisations concerned with technical approvals in South Africa. The SABS operates within a wide range of areas and deals with standards and codes of practice relating to conventional products. The SABS is aligned with international organisations for standardisation. Unlike the SABS, ASA only operates within the construction industry. The agency was established to assess innovative, non-standardised construction products and systems. ASA is aligned with the World Federation of Technical Assessment Organisations. In terms of industry practice, when construction products or systems are concerned, the development phase of the product/system in its lifecycle determines whether the SABS or ASA gets involved. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: 4. What are the benefits of having an ASA certificate?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none"][fusion_text content_alignment="justify"] The main objective of Agrément certificates is to provide re-assurance of the fitness-forpurpose of construction products, systems, materials which are not covered by SANS Standards or codes of practice. Agrément certificates can be used to demonstrate compliance with regulations, as specified in the certificate. As per the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, unconventional building methods can only be deemed to satisfy by way of rational design or Agrément certification. Agrément certificates can also be used to facilitate acceptance and/or approval by: Designers and Specifiers Regulatory Authorities Government & Community-Support Organisations Financial institutions. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: 5. How long does it take to get a product/system certified at ASA?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none"][fusion_text content_alignment="justify"] It takes about 6 months, but this is dependent on the type of tests required for that product or building system to be certified [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: 6. How much does it cost to get ASA certificate?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none"][fusion_text content_alignment="justify"] There is a non-refundable administration fee of [fusion_highlight background="no" background_style="full" rounded="no" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" color="red" text_color="red"]R6 581,80[/fusion_highlight] for Product, building systems and Eco-labelling application fee [fusion_highlight background="no" background_style="full" rounded="no" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_color="red"]R5 603,00[/fusion_highlight] for Ecolabelling. An assessment fee will be determined based on the scope of assessment required for that particular application for a building construction product . View the Certification Process Standards here [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: 7. How long is an ASA certificate valid?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none"][fusion_text content_alignment="justify"] A certificate is valid for three (3) years, subject to payment of annual fees and annual audits. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: 8. What is ASA Eco-labelling system, also known as the ecoASA?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none"][fusion_text content_alignment="justify"] EcoASA is an ecolabel for building materials and products that provides verification that a product meets certain criteria relating to the environmental impact of the product. An ecolabel will be awarded to building products or materials that are less stressful on the environment based on a scoring system. It is a Type I environmental labeling scheme making it voluntary in nature and awards an ecolabel based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: 9. What is the difference between a Licensee Certificate and an ASA Certificate?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none"][fusion_text content_alignment="justify"] Licensee - Any person or company appointed by the certificate holder and registered with Agrément South Africa to construct or manufacture the product/system in accordance with the approved certificate and authorized to claim compliance with the certificate. ASA Certificate - A certificate that has been issued by ASA after satisfying the client’s non-standardized construction-related product is fit-for-purpose. It is used to demonstrate compliance with regulations as specified in the certificate. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]