What is WFTAO?What is WFTAO?

History

Technical Assessment

Raison D'Être

Progress

Future

WFTAO MembersWFTAO Members

IPT

VTT

TZUSETA

CCMCCSTB EMI RT

NBRIBCJCBL

BRANZ

NBI

ITB

LNEC

INCERCFCC

IETcc

BBA

ICC ES

ASA ABCB

DIBT

HistoryHistory

Exploratory meetings in '94 (Brazil)and '95 (France)

Inaugural meeting in 1996 (South Africa)

Annual meetings

Technical AssessmentTechnical Assessment

Declaration of technical fitness for an intended use of an innovative or non‐standardized construction product, service or process

National descriptors such as "technical approval", "avis technique", "evaluation", "appraisal"

The philosophical basisThe philosophical basis

Technical assessment is about promoting the use of innovative construcution products and support the credibility and the quality of the information and claims made by the manufacturer

A broad definition of an innovative product is any product or kit not covered by a standard

The innovative aspect means per definition that there are no standards to assess and verify the performance of the performance of the product

With the broad definition of innovative products, kits also fall in this category!

Standardized vs. Innovative Products

Standardized vs. Innovative Products

Acceptance

Credibility

Construction products subject to standards

Innovative andnon-standardized products

Globalization of MarketsGlobalization of Markets

Global forces have changed competition Firms now have global commercial interests Borders erased with new communications technologies Trading blocs harmonize within, but not with others Proliferation of international standards 1957 – few dozen ISO standards 2013 – more than 19.500 ISO standards

Issues for ExportersIssues for Exporters

Separate National testing and conformity assessment procedures

Even with the same test, some countries mandate National organizations

Significant time and cost implications for exporters

Smaller companies dissuaded from entering export markets

World Federation of Technical Assessment Organizations

World Federation of Technical Assessment Organizations

WFTAO World‐wide network for coordinating and facilitating the technical assessment of innovative and non‐standardized construction products

• Enhance & promote role of technical assessment

• Develop mutual confidence

• Enhance & promote role of technical assessment

• Develop mutual confidence

Why?Why?

THEREBYMinimize duplication

Facilitate trade

THEREBYMinimize duplication

Facilitate trade

WFTAO Web Sitehttp://www.wftao.com

WFTAO Web Sitehttp://www.wftao.com

ProgressProgress

familiarization

Administrative provisions 

model liaison agreement

draft world technical assessment process

Enhanced networking

Expand memberships

WFTAO Bi‐lateral ActivityWFTAO Bi‐lateral Activity

European Union Canada – Japan U.S.A. – France United Kingdom – Canada United Kingdom – South Africa Germany – U.S.A

WFTA0 ProcedureWFTA0 Procedure

Procedure for Multi‐Lateral Assessments(WTA) Establishes protocol for 2 or more organizations to simultaneously assess an innovative product Emphasizes need for cooperation and time lines

Diversity of Technical EvaluationDiversity of Technical Evaluation

(1) Mandatory field and voluntary field

(2)‘evaluation of building parts and members’ and ‘product certification of components and materials’

Technical Evaluation* and Mutual RecognitionTechnical Evaluation* and Mutual Recognition

*Technical Evaluation includes:technical assessment, evaluation, product certification, etc

Perspective for the matrix of Technical Evaluation

Perspective for the matrix of Technical Evaluation

Needs for Technical Evaluation Content of evaluation criteria and entityin charge of formulation

Evaluation system and product certification system

Mutual recognition

Technical Evaluationand Mutual RecognitionTechnical Evaluation

and Mutual Recognition

Characteristics of Technical EvaluationCharacteristics of Technical Evaluation

Evaluation(building parts and members)

Product certification(components and materials)

Mandatory field

■Evaluation and product certification acquisition areessential (?)

■There are strong needs by manufacturers for evaluation and product certification

Voluntary field

■Evaluation and product certification acquisition are optional

■The purpose is to secure trust in the market

Technical Evaluation and Mutual RecognitionTechnical Evaluation 

and Mutual Recognition

Evaluation criteriaEvaluation criteriaEvaluation(building parts and members)

Product certification(components and materials)

Mandatory field

■Building Codes unique to each country

■Building Codes unique to each country

■Referred standards unique to each country

Voluntary field

■Diverse criteria and guidelines depending on the purpose

■Diverse standards depending on the purpose

Technical Evaluation and Mutual RecognitionTechnical Evaluation 

and Mutual Recognition

Looking to the FutureLooking to the Future

Strategic planning

Enhanced networking

Promotion Of WFTAO

Of concept of technical approval

Value proposition

Thank you for your attention