Standard Development in Australia
Work is underway in Australia to develop one national hempcrete construction standards, with a four-part proposal—covering materials, design details, installation, and render/weatherproofing—currently progressing through Standards Australia’s consultation process.
The Hempcrete Composite Construction Standard Proposal. The proposal includes the following project(s):
- New AS XXXX.1, Hempcrete Composite Construction, Part One: Materials
- New AS XXXX.3, Hempcrete Composite Construction, Part Three: Installation
- New AS XXXX.4, Hempcrete Composite Construction, Part Four: Render/Weatherproofing
- New AS XXXX.2, Hempcrete Composite Construction, Part Two: Design Details
This framework aims to formalise best practice, ensuring consistent quality, safety, and performance as the industry moves beyond early adopters into broader commercial use. The outcome will not only influence building practices across Australia but is expected to directly impact the standard development process in New Zealand, paving the way for aligned trans-Tasman regulations and market opportunities.
A call to action from our members and the Aotearoa NZ iHemp community, in which we need:
- Someone with expertise on construction standards to monitor and input into the building standard process in Australia.
- People to build the network and move the collaboration opportunities forward in areas they are interested in.
- Identifying who and what people are doing in the iHemp industry, for networking and for inclusion in the catalogue.
- Help with prioritising and documenting R&D projects, for on-farm, seed, fibre and health products. For example, phytoremediation – where do the heavy metals go, leaves, seeds, roots?
- Documenting bankable business plans and strategies for scaling the local industry.
Draft Submissions:
Proposal Reference Links:
Standards Australia Portal
Standard Development in the US
The US Hemp Building Association is working hard to take part in regional and national conversations about the developing hemp construction industry.
IRC Appendix AY Hemp-Lime (Hempcrete) Construction Proposal
RB316-22 proposes to add Appendix AY to the 2024 IRC. It was submitted to the International Code Council (ICC) in January 2022, and was heard at the ICC Committee Action Hearings (CAH) by the IRC Building Committee between March 27th and April 6th 2022 in Rochester, NY.
Please direct enquiries to the US Hemp Building Association, Jacob Waddell: Jacob@USHBA.ORG or 720-263-0667.
The Appendix to the IRC (International Residential Code) and PDF of the submitted Proposal:
Proposal RB316-22 – Appendix AY HEMP-LIME (HEMPCRETE) CONSTRUCTION
Accompanying information:
Hemp Industrial Materials Supply Chain Workshop
NZHIA Blog: Hemp Fibre in Construction
Build with Hemp: US Hemp Building Association’s Proposal