Views: 537 Author: Orient Scaffolding Publish Time: 2026-04-15 Origin: Orient Scaffolding Research
Two significant milestones are shaping the global scaffolding industry in 2026. China has officially joined the International Access and Scaffolding Association (IASA), and the inaugural International Scaffolding and Access Day will be celebrated on 14 May. For Australian builders sourcing scaffolding from Chinese manufacturers, these developments have real implications for quality standards and industry professionalism.
The China Formwork and Scaffold Association has become a member of IASA, making China the latest country to join the global body. This is a significant step for an industry where China is the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter of scaffolding products.
IASA was launched in September 2025 at ScaffEx25 in Manchester, bringing together leading trade associations from the UK, USA, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Since then, China, Taiwan, and South Korea have all joined, expanding the organisation to 10 member bodies across 11 countries representing over 2 billion people.
| IASA Members | Country |
|---|---|
| NASC | United Kingdom |
| SIA | United States |
| SAA | Australia |
| SARNZ | New Zealand |
| JISA | Japan |
| MESCA | Malaysia |
| SCA Canada | Canada |
| CFSA | China |
| TSDA | Taiwan |
| KTEA | South Korea |
China’s membership in IASA signals a commitment to aligning with international standards and best practices. For Australian contractors purchasing scaffolding from Chinese manufacturers, this is encouraging for several reasons.
What it means: China’s IASA membership creates a framework for improving manufacturing quality standards, strengthening safety culture across Chinese scaffold production, increasing transparency in testing and certification, and building closer relationships between Chinese manufacturers and international industry bodies. This doesn’t replace the need for buyers to verify certifications independently, but it represents a positive industry-level shift.
IASA has formally launched International Scaffolding and Access Day, to be celebrated annually on 14 May. The initiative aims to highlight the essential role of scaffolding and access in construction, infrastructure, and safety worldwide. IASA has written to national leaders across multiple countries to raise awareness of the sector’s economic contribution.
The five key themes for the day are improving the image of scaffolding and professionalism, developing global talent through training and retention, driving innovation in safety and productivity, strengthening compliance and ethical practice, and working toward internationally standardised training and qualifications.
These developments reflect a maturing global scaffolding industry that is becoming more organised, more safety-conscious, and more interconnected. For Australian contractors, the message is clear: when sourcing scaffolding — whether locally or internationally — look for suppliers who are engaged with industry bodies, committed to recognised standards, and transparent about their manufacturing and testing processes.
International Standards, Direct from China
Orient Scaffolding is a Chinese manufacturer committed to AS/NZS 1576, BS 1139, and EN 74 compliance. Full certification and traceability with every order.
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