Do I need an evaluation number from the Canadian Construction Materials
Centre (CCMC) to sell a construction product in Canada?
No. CCMC’s evaluation services are voluntary and the proponent of the product
or system should determine whether or not the service would be of value. This
can be accomplished by reviewing the web site or by contacting and discussing
the particular situation with CCMC staff.
Can the CCMC accept testing that was done before an application for an
evaluation was made to the CCMC?
Generally the answer is no but there can be exceptions. The CCMC has strict
laboratory recognition and sample
selection guidelines that any potential lab must comply with. Additionally, only after having
reviewed and evaluated the product does the CCMC indicate in writing to the proponent
what testing would be required for a specific product.
If a product has an acceptance from another country (such as the International
Code Council in the United States), will this be taken into account by the CCMC?
Alternatively, if the product has a CCMC evaluation, will this help in obtaining
acceptance in another country?
The CCMC would review any product’s acceptance from another country to determine
its relevance in Canada and may use some of the data and other information in
doing its own evaluation. The CCMC is a member of the
World Federation of Technical Assessment Organisations, an international group of countries that evaluate
construction products. There is also an understanding that several other countries
would also review Canada’s evaluation of a specific product for relevance in
their evaluation process.
What is the difference between an evaluation report and an evaluation
listing?
An evaluation report is CCMC’s technical opinion on the compliance of a product
or system to a code, primarily the National Building Code of Canada (NBC). It
applies mainly to innovative products for which there are no specific standards
that have been referenced in the code. The product is evaluated as an “alternative”
solution.
An evaluation listing is a technical statement indicating that a product complies
with a specific standard. This service is specific only to products that have standards.
What is a certified listing?
A certified listing is one that is based entirely on the product’s certification
by a recognized certification body. In this case, the CCMC would not “evaluate”
the product or specify testing as they would do for other listed products.
What is the opinion of the CCMC on whether one specific product is better
than another product?
The CCMC does not provide this type of opinion. Each opinion is product-specific
and is to the NBC requirements. Readers may compare different reports and listings
with each other and draw their own conclusions on the technical data, usages
and limitations.
What is the time frame to obtain a CCMC evaluation number?
The time frame varies depending on whether it is a listing or a report and on
who is controlling the activity.
For reports, it is generally between 12 to 24 months from the date of the initial
application to a final accepted report. Some reports have been done in less
than 12 months. To understand the time frame, please see the
evaluation process
page. Two of the biggest time-consuming areas are technical guide preparation
(generally a minimum of six months and in most case more) and actual product testing.
For listings, the time frame is much shorter since the testing requirements
are specified in the applicable standard.
As a proponent, is there anything that I can do to speed up the evaluation
process?
While much of the time is due to the CCMC preparation and required review and
oversight of processes, there are some things that a client can do to help shorten
the process. These are:
Before you apply, read about and understand the CCMC process in general
terms and where your input will be required
Ensure that the application package sent to the CCMC is complete
respond promptly to any requests from the CCMC for additional technical information
Provide requested information in an organized way to facilitate easy review
Promptly make arrangements with the required testing lab(s) and forward
resulting documentation to CCMC immediately
Pay invoices in a timely manner
Stay in regular contact with your assigned evaluation officer.
