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What is Agrément?

NSAI Agrément is responsible for Agrément assessment and certification. Formerly the Irish Agrément Board (IAB), it now operates as part of NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland). NSAI Agrément issue technical certification for new and innovative products and processes in building and materials technology

Agrément certification is designed specifically for new building materials, products and processes that do not yet have a long history of use and for which published national standards do not yet exist. NSAI Agrément assesses, specifies testing, and where appropriate, issues Agrément certificates for such products.
 

What is the Procedure for Certifying a New Product?

Agrément certification involves the following steps:

  • We process your application.
  • We develop a Technical Assessment Specification (TAS), which sets out the technical criteria for assessment and testing.
  • We assess the product to ensure that it conforms to the TAS. This might include laboratory testing, on-site evaluation and inspection of the production process.
  • Subject to the results of the assessment, we then draft an NSAI Agrément Certificate.
  • We publish the Certificate on the NSAI website.

How is the Assessment Carried Out?

The criteria upon which Agrément certification is based vary from product to product, taking into account construction standards across a range of measures such as:

  • Safety
  • Habitability
  • Durability
  • Maintenance
  • Practicability.
  • The legal framework

The Agrément Certificates we publish are in accordance with the Irish Building Regulations and the rules of the European Union of Agrément Institutes for Construction (UEAtc).

How do I Arrange an Assessment?

NSAI Agrément’s assessment services are available to applicants on the payment of the appropriate fee. All parties involved in the assessment are subject to strict confidentiality requirements. 

Download our Agrément Certification guide here.

 

 

Learn More

The board of NSAI Agrément is comprised of representatives from the following organisations:

  • NSAI Agrément
  • The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
  • Enterprise Ireland
  • The Construction Industry Federation (CIF)
  • The Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC)
  • The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI)
  • The Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI)

Feel free to contact NSAI Agrement at the details below:

Patricia Walsh
T: +353 1 807 3892

patricia.walsh@nsai.ie

When developing a new construction product, it is important to be aware of the relevant standards, technical specifications, and assessment or certification options that exist to help demonstrate compliance with relevant regulations e.g., the Irish Building Regulations.

The flowchart outlines a simple, generalised process that might be used to determine what if any standards or technical specifications and certification or assessment options are available to a product developer.

Note:Product requirements arising from other directives are not addressed The flowchart contains links to further sources of information if available.

Guidance on application for the NSAI Agrément process is given above and Agrément assessment criteria for systems employing modern methods of construction (MMC) are given here.

Construction Standards and Technical Assessments for innovative construction products process flowchart can be viewed here.