What is CodeMark product certification and why does it matter?
Short answer
CodeMark is the official NZ scheme for certifying that a specific building product meets the Building Code. Products with current CodeMark certification can be specified into a build with confidence that council won't require additional proof of compliance. Several historical CodeMark certifications have been withdrawn — most notably some cladding products — leaving builds with those products in a difficult position. Always check current CodeMark status, not just whether it was ever certified.
Source: Building Performance — building.govt.nz/codemark. Updated May 2026.
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Check a builderKey facts
- CodeMark is the official NZ product certification scheme
- Administered by MBIE; certifications issued by accredited bodies
- Council should accept a current CodeMark as compliance evidence
- Some historical certifications have been withdrawn (notably cladding)
- Withdrawn-certification builds may face insurance and resale issues
How CodeMark works
An accredited certification body assesses a building product against the relevant Building Code clauses. If it passes, the body issues a CodeMark certificate listing exactly what the certification covers (geometry, conditions of use, durability).
Council accepts CodeMark as proof the product meets the Code, reducing consent friction. Designers and builders specify CodeMark-certified products to limit their own liability.
When CodeMark gets withdrawn
MBIE has withdrawn CodeMark certifications when products turn out to fail in service or when the original testing is found to be inadequate. Affected products include certain cladding systems and some specific structural products.
If your build used a withdrawn-CodeMark product, it doesn't automatically mean the building fails — the product may still perform fine. But council, insurers, and future buyers may treat it with suspicion. Always have an LBP or engineer assess the actual installation.
Knowing the rules is half the job. The other half is knowing who you're hiring. Check any NZ builder against the public record: company status, licensing and insolvency notices, from the official NZ sources.
Related questions
Sources: Building Performance — building.govt.nz/codemark; MBIE CodeMark withdrawal notices. General information for NZ homeowners, not legal advice. Building rules change and vary by council, so confirm critical details on the official source before acting. Last updated 2026-05.