AGR

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AGRÉMENT SOUTH AFRICA

• Briefing to the Portfolio Committee

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Outline

• Background to Agrément
• Current mandate
• Organisational structure
• Outputs of innovative systems certificated
• Impact
• Achievements
• Relevance
• Opportunities
• Audited financial statements
• Governance
• Future plans

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Background to Agrément?

• The word Agrément is French and means consent
  or approval.
• The Board of AGRÉMENT SOUTH AFRICA is an
  objective, independent agency.
• Agrément evaluates the fitness-for-purpose of
  non-standardised construction products.
• Agrément operates under a ministerial delegation
  of authority from the Minister of Public Works.

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Current Mandate

• Agrément South Africa shall support and
  promote the process of integrated socio-economic
  development in South Africa as it relates to the
  construction industry by facilitating the
  introduction, application and utilisation of
  satisfactory innovation and technology
  development, in a manner which will add value to
  the process and by doing so enhance Agrément
  South Africas position as the internationally
  acknowledged, objective South African centre for
  the assessment and certification of
  non-standardised construction products.

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Current Mandate

• Agrément South Africa shall do this inter alia by
  providing assurance of fitness-for-purpose of
  such technologies which optimise resource
  utilisation and realise cost savings in the
  industry.
• In assessing fitness-for-purpose, a holistic view
  must be taken which includes technical,
  commercial and social factors.
• Several catastrophic failures have been
  experienced worldwide with the introduction of
  new and untested technology. Failures of
  imported non-standard technology are prevented by
  comprehensive technical assessment by Agrément
  South Africa.

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Roles of CSIR SABS
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Organizational structure
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Transformation of staff compliment
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OUTPUTS OF INNOVATIVE SYSTEMS CERTIFICATED 2005/6

• Salutron Pan Gully Combination Trap
• Quick Sill
• Africote Plaster Technology Kolorcote-T Wall
  Coating
• Thyssenkrupp Affordable Comfort Homes
• Isotherm Thermal Insulation
• Isoboard Over Purlin Roof Insulation
• Arma Tile Roofing System
• Duraline Khusela Emanzini Coating System

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IMPACT

• 422 certificates have been issued since 1969.
• 127 certificates are currently valid (2007).
• Agrément South Africa criteria are rigorous,
  hence products certified are fit for purpose.
• Widespread use of several Agrément certificated
  products e.g.
• Hollow concrete blocks
• Metal roof tiles
• Lightweight internal partitions
• Hard drawn copper tubing
• Variety of waterproofing and wall coating
  materials
• Plastic bath tub.

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RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

• Ongoing support of National Building Regulations
  and participation in the revision of SANS 10400.
• Ongoing support to policy-makers, government and
  other regulatory bodies.
• Establishment of new technical assessment
  criteria for thin bituminous surfacing systems.
• Ongoing staff training and development including
  the technical development of staff members and
  interns.
• Various interactions with national departments
  during the year in order to link the Agency with
  the various departments' and national priorities.

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RELEVANCE

• Innovative building systems can offer an
  alternative with regard to the current shortage
  of conventional construction materials due to the
  upsurge in construction activities.
• Several innovative building systems have great
  socio-economic potential.
• Some innovative construction technologies have
  superior energy efficiency performance in
  comparison to conventional construction
  materials.
• Improved energy efficiency will contribute toward
  sustainable development.

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OPPORTUNITIES

• Several of the innovative building systems target
  the affordable housing market, which is averse to
  the use of innovative building systems. An
  opportunity now exists to introduce these
  technologies to the greater majority of the South
  African population.
• Some of the certificate holders of innovative
  building systems lack the financial resources to
  market their products effectively. There is now
  an opportunity for greater publicity for
  innovative construction systems and products.
• Development of human resources and
  transformation.
• Enhancing the skill of technical assessors by
  offering mentorship by more experienced assessors.

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OPPORTUNITIES

• Improving the turn-around time required to carry
  out technical assessments due the envisaged
  national re-investment in laboratory equipment.
• The identification of areas in the building and
  construction industry where Agréments particular
  expertise can best serve the country in terms of
  its mandate.
• The introduction of additional aspects to be
  covered by Agrément evaluations viz, economic
  viability, cost benefit and consumer
  acceptability.

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AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT
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GOVERNANCE

• Agrément has eight Board members who are all
  appointed by the Minister of Public Works.
• The Technical Agency is managed by and reports to
  the Director of the CSIR Built Environment Unit.
• The Technical Agency uses the CSIR Financial and
  Project Management systems to manage its day-to-
  day activities. This ensures that all activities
  are executed in compliance with the PFMA.
• Board conducts an annual Strategic Planning
  Session and sets the strategic direction for the
  Technical Agency.

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GOVERNANCE

• The Board of Agrément holds at least four
  meetings annually.
• The Technical Committee of the Board meets six
  times a year to approve certificates and to
  deliberate on technical issues.
• Since Agrément South Africas finances are
  managed by the CSIR, the Agencys financial
  statements are audited as part and parcel of the
  CSIRs finances.
• The Agency has received a clean bill of health
  from the previous years Audit Report.

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FUTURE PLANS

• Agrément will continue to play an important role
  in assessing the fitness-for-purpose of
  innovative construction products and building
  systems.
• Substandard products will be prevented from
  getting to the market.
• Agrément reduces the risk involved in the use of
  untested innovations.
• Improved benefits from the CSIR Built Environment
  Units return to cutting-edge research will
  enhance Agréments position.
• Agrément South Africa nominated to host the
  annual meeting of the World Federation of
  Technical Assessment Organisations in September
  2008.

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CONCLUSION

• Agrément will continue to play a critical role in
  the technical assessment of innovative
  construction materials and building systems as
  well as assessing the fitness for purpose of such
  products.
• THANK YOU