The importance of quality standards in manufacturing cannot be overstated. Adherence to stringent standards plays a critical role in ensuring public safety, maintaining product integrity, and fostering a competitive edge in the global marketplace. Comment from Geoff Crittenden, CEO, Weld Australia.
However, the landscape of standards compliance in Australia presents a complex picture that demands our attention and action.
Australian standards: World-class but underutilised
Australian Standards are renowned for their rigour and comprehensiveness, often matching or surpassing international benchmarks. Our standards development process involves consultation with industry experts, ensuring that they reflect best practices and knowledge. However, a challenge lies in their implementation and enforcement.
Unlike many of our international counterparts, the majority of Australian standards are not underpinned by legislation or regulation. This results in a voluntary compliance framework that, while flexible, can lead to inconsistent application across industries. The absence of mandatory compliance creates a scenario where cost considerations may overshadow quality and safety imperatives, particularly when faced with competition from overseas manufacturers operating under different regulatory environments.
If applied properly, standards ensure that fabricated structures meet all design criteria, are fit for purpose, and remain structurally sound for the lifecycle of the asset. The application of standards to a process such as welding is particularly important as it is impossible to undertake complete verification of a welded joint without destroying it. Unfortunately, inspection after completion does not guarantee weld serviceability. As such, quality must be built into the welding process, right from the very beginning.
Welding must be done correctly the first time. A weld cannot be adjusted once it is complete. The only course of action is to scrap the weld entirely and start again. As such, the welding processes set out in Australian and international standards are crucial – they must be followed exactly.
If Australian and international standards are not followed exactly, then there is a high chance that a structure will fail.
Just such a failure occurred late last year in China. Typhoon Yagi made landfall on 6 September, causing widespread destruction. The typhoon’s 300 km per hour winds resulted in severe damage to at least five or six massive turbines at a coastal wind farm in Hainan.
The destruction witnessed in China should be a wake-up call for Australia’s governments. The incident in China highlights the importance of stringent quality control measures in manufacturing – particularly the manufacturing of public assets.
The global context:
A comparative view
To appreciate the Australian context, it’s instructive to look at how other nations approach standards compliance. In the European Union, for instance, adherence to relevant international standards is mandatory for companies involved in welding, with certification required from independent, accredited third-party authorities. This approach ensures a baseline of quality and safety across the continent.
Similarly, Japan’s industrial landscape is characterised by the ubiquitous JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) mark, a symbol of compliance that is ingrained in their manufacturing ethos. Canada, recognising the critical nature of welded structures, implemented a mandatory compliance system for publicly funded welded structural steel projects as far back as 1947.
Closer to home, the situation in many Asian countries presents a contrast.
Nations such as China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam often lack welding compliance regulations. Instead, production is frequently tailored to individual customer specifications, which can result in inconsistent quality standards and potential safety risks when these products enter the Australian market.
The implications for Australian industry and public safety
The disparity between our world-class standards and their voluntary application creates a precarious situation. When non-compliant products are identified, we often encounter resistance from manufacturers to rectify issues, with some opting to pass liability down the supply chain or simply accept the risk. This approach not only jeopardises public safety but also undermines the integrity of Australian manufacturing.
The influx of imported fabricated steel that does not meet Australian Standards is particularly concerning. As projects increasingly turn to offshore manufacturing to reduce costs, we must be vigilant about the quality and safety implications. The potential consequences of substandard welding in structural applications are severe, ranging from costly failures to catastrophic accidents that could result in loss of life.
A call for mandatory compliance
At Weld Australia, we firmly believe that the time has come for a paradigm shift in how Australia approaches Standards compliance. We have long advocated for federally recognised legislation and regulations that mandate adherence to Australian Standards, particularly in critical areas such as welding and fabrication of public assets.
If we take the example of renewables manufacturing again, the main competition for Australian wind tower manufacturers are overseas suppliers from Vietnam, China and Indonesia. The issue is that the quality of imported wind towers is low. They do not adhere to Australian standards. In contrast, local fabricators comply with internationally recognised Australian standards like AS/NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials, and are certified by the relevant Australian authority. In this way, Government and private clients can ensure the quality and safety of projects.
These quality and safety issues will only be exacerbated by increased global demand. The whole world is looking to transition to renewable energy. Not only will increased global demand likely reduce the quality of wind towers manufactured overseas, but it will also increase scarcity of supply.
Weld Australia urges Australia’s governments to mandate that all steelwork for our renewable energy transition and all public assets – both local and imported – is manufactured and erected according to Australian Standards. The Federal Government and State Governments must act now to foster a sovereign manufacturing industry, create jobs in regional areas and ensure public safety.
This approach aims to create a level playing field for Australian manufacturers while ensuring that all products, whether domestically produced or imported, meet the high Standards necessary for public safety.
Introducing Weld Australia’s new certification service
In line with our commitment to elevating industry standards, Weld Australia is proud to announce the launch of our new certification service. This innovative offering combines certification for AS/NZS ISO 3834 with AS/NZS 5131 Structural steelwork fabrication, providing a streamlined, cost-effective solution for companies seeking to demonstrate their commitment to quality and compliance.
Our new certification service addresses the growing need for a unified approach to welding quality and structural steel fabrication certification in Australia. By integrating these two critical Standards, we offer a single, comprehensive audit process that reduces time and resource investment for clients while ensuring adherence to the highest industry standards.
This service is particularly timely given the current landscape of voluntary compliance. It provides companies with a tangible way to differentiate themselves in the market, demonstrating their commitment to quality and safety beyond the minimum requirements. For clients and end-users, certification through this program offers assurance that their suppliers are operating at the forefront of industry best practices.
The path forward
The challenges facing Australian manufacturing in terms of Standards compliance are significant, but not insurmountable. By advocating for mandatory compliance, we can create an environment that prioritises safety, quality, and fair competition. This approach not only protects the public but also strengthens the position of Australian manufacturers in the global marketplace.
As we move forward, it’s crucial that industry, government, and regulatory bodies work together to create a framework that supports the consistent application of our world-class Standards. This collaborative effort will be essential in ensuring that Australian manufacturing remains synonymous with quality and innovation.