Two certification frameworks come up repeatedly when structural steel is procured for Australian and New Zealand projects: third-party product certification to the relevant material standard (in this case AS/NZS 1163 for hollow sections), and ACRS certification. Buyers and project managers who aren’t deeply familiar with the steel supply chain sometimes treat these as interchangeable or redundant — either “they have ACRS” or “they have AS/NZS 1163 certification” becomes the answer to the compliance question, when in practice they cover different things and some projects require both.
Understanding what each scheme covers, where they overlap, and when a project actually needs ACRS-certified steel pipe specifically versus standard product certification helps avoid both unnecessary requirements and genuine gaps.
What ACRS is
ACRS stands for the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels. It’s an independent, not-for-profit certification body that operates specifically within the Australian and New Zealand construction market. ACRS certification covers structural steel products against Australian and New Zealand standards, including AS/NZS 1163 for hollow sections.
The ACRS scheme involves initial assessment of a steel manufacturer or supplier, followed by ongoing surveillance audits and testing. Certified products are listed in the ACRS register, which is publicly searchable. The scheme is designed to provide assurance specifically for the ANZ construction market that the certified products consistently meet the relevant Australian or New Zealand standards — not just at the time of an initial audit, but on an ongoing basis.
ACRS operates two types of certification: product certification (covering the steel manufacturer’s production) and supply chain certification (covering distributors and service centers that handle the material between manufacturer and project). Both are listed in the ACRS register, making it possible to trace certification through the supply chain.
How ACRS differs from standard product certification
Standard product certification to AS/NZS 1163 — through bodies like SAI Global, BSI, or others — provides third-party verification that a manufacturer’s products consistently meet the standard’s requirements. This is what many international manufacturers hold when they supply material to the ANZ market.
ACRS certification is structurally similar — it’s also ongoing third-party verification against ANZ standards — but it operates under a scheme designed specifically for the ANZ market, with oversight by Australian and New Zealand industry bodies and regulators. The scheme has audit protocols, testing requirements, and oversight mechanisms tailored to the specific standards and market context.
For an Australian engineer specifying certified material, the practical difference is that ACRS is a known, ANZ-specific scheme with a publicly searchable register, while other third-party certification schemes vary in their scope, audit frequency, and transparency. ACRS certification can be verified in a single place with consistent information across all certified manufacturers.
When projects require ACRS specifically
Not all projects require ACRS certification — the requirement depends on the project’s contractual and specification requirements. Several situations where ACRS certification is specifically required or strongly preferred:
Projects contracted under state or local government frameworks that mandate ACRS certification for structural steel. Several Australian state procurement requirements specify ACRS for public infrastructure projects, and some councils require it for council projects. The requirement comes from the contract rather than from the material standard itself.
Projects specified by structural engineers who have a preference for ACRS due to familiarity with the scheme and confidence in its oversight mechanisms. This is particularly common for engineers working on complex or high-risk structural projects.
Large commercial projects where the developer or head contractor specifies ACRS to simplify their supply chain compliance verification — rather than individually assessing the certification schemes of multiple international suppliers, they can specify ACRS and rely on a single, consistent verification process.
For smaller private projects — a residential extension, a small industrial shed, or a farm building — ACRS certification is typically not specified, and compliance with AS/NZS 1163 through any third-party certified supplier or verified mill is appropriate.
Verifying ACRS certification
The ACRS register is available at the ACRS website and is updated regularly. Searching by company name returns the certification status, the products covered (including standard and grade), and the certification scope (manufacturer or supply chain certification). A current listing confirms active certification; absence from the register, or a listing showing an expired or suspended certification, is a clear signal.
For international manufacturers — particularly Chinese mills — checking the ACRS register before placing an order is the most direct way to confirm whether they hold ACRS certification. Some Chinese mills have pursued ACRS certification to serve the ANZ market; many others hold alternative third-party certifications that may or may not be accepted by a specific project’s requirements.
A manufacturer who claims ACRS certification but doesn’t appear in the current register either has a lapsed certification or is making a representation that the register doesn’t support. This is worth clarifying before committing to a purchase for a project that requires ACRS specifically.
What to do when ACRS isn’t held
If a preferred supplier doesn’t hold ACRS certification and the project requires it, the options are:
Source the material from an ACRS-certified manufacturer or distributor. The ACRS register lists certified manufacturers by product, and most common AS/NZS 1163 hollow section sizes are available from ACRS-certified sources.
Seek acceptance from the project’s structural engineer or procurement authority for alternative certification, with supporting documentation. Some projects will accept equivalent third-party certification with appropriate review; others won’t. This acceptance needs to come from the appropriate authority on the project, not be assumed.
Engage an ACRS-certified supply chain distributor who sources from the uncertified manufacturer. ACRS supply chain certification covers distributors who have demonstrated appropriate incoming inspection and quality management for material they handle. Material from an uncertified manufacturer handled through an ACRS-certified distributor may meet the project’s ACRS requirement, depending on how the requirement is worded.
The distinction between AS/NZS 1163 product certification and ACRS certification matters most when a project explicitly requires one or the other. For buyers working across multiple project types, understanding both schemes — what they cover, how to verify them, and when each is required — removes the ambiguity that leads to compliance gaps discovered at inconvenient times.
