Who is responsible for ensuring that products used in construction meet established standards?

The responsibility for ensuring that products used in construction meet established standards falls primarily on manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers. These entities are tasked with maintaining quality control and compliance with safety and regulatory standards relevant to their products. They must ensure that any materials they produce or sell meet the criteria set forth within the Ontario Building Code and other applicable regulations.

Manufacturers create products that must be compliant with the building codes, and suppliers as well as retailers are responsible for distributing only those products that adhere to these standards. This chain of accountability is crucial in maintaining the integrity and safety of construction projects.

While building inspectors play a vital role in assessing compliance during and after construction, it is not their responsibility to ensure that individual products meet standards prior to being used. Homeowners, too, generally rely on professionals to make informed decisions about product suitability, and contractors engage with suppliers and manufacturers to select compliant materials. Hence, the key responsibility of ensuring product compliance resides with those directly involved in producing and supplying the materials.