Foundational Principles of ACETA Member Accreditation
November 2022
Introduction
The development of ACETA ‘s forthcoming and optional accreditation program for members, involved considerable thought, debate, and broad consultation, which have guided the inclusive and transparent foundational principles, that will sustain, engage and move the industry forward. Program operational parameters are now being formulated, with a formal launch planned for the ACETA industry convention in May 2023. The journey has been protracted, but necessary in delivering the realities required to raise industry standards, improve safety, whilst increasing options and opportunities for members.
Realisations and Determinations
A challenge in framing any viable industry accreditation program, is to establish a logical and accessible compliance platform that does not induce anxiety. In our extensive deliberations product and workplace health & safety compliance centred on law ultimately proved untenable, complicated by our three-tiered system of governance, national, state/territory and local. In some instances, product compliance legislation is overly complex, subject to interpretation or non-existent. Health & safety is generally the remit of state and territory government statutes, which are often not harmonized across jurisdictions, whilst local government directives can vary council by council in areas such as temporary structures. Our industry knows no borders; the same set of guidelines must apply and support everyone, everywhere.
Given the aforementioned, the liberating moment arrived when we realised industry best practice is clearly the only truly definable position, and must be the focus of compliance, alongside the necessary, and clear federal legislation such as that concerning frequency spectrum, its availability and use. We also determined that a best practice environment must be empowering and driven by intent.
Implementation
The optional ACETA accreditation will be available to all bona-fide members, and in three streams, manufacturer, manufacturer representative, and the service & support sector, ensuring the unique needs of all industry participants are met.
Industry (Best Practice) Guidelines are now being established or updated for all entertainment technology categories, including audio, lighting, vision, service and support. It is commitment to these Guidelines that will form accreditation technology compliance aspects. For example, ACETA Industry (Best Practice) Guidelines for the service and support sector will be based on the International Code of Practice for Entertainment Rigging (ICOPER). This will not only establish the ACETA compliance guideline for the sector, but also harmonize the Australian industry with the standards now established in the USA (ESTA), the UK (PLASA) and other nations that have adopted the ICOPER protocol.
The ACETA Accreditation program is uniquely tailored to the needs of the Australian entertainment technology industry, and will be modified and/or expanded following annual review. The program is optional for bona-fide ACETA members, and is a protocol founded on self-regulation. An accreditation application will be lodged by the member and considered by an independent panel.
All the best
Frank Hinton
President
ACETA
The development of ACETA ‘s forthcoming and optional accreditation program for members, involved considerable thought, debate, and broad consultation, which have guided the inclusive and transparent foundational principles, that will sustain, engage and move the industry forward. Program operational parameters are now being formulated, with a formal launch planned for the ACETA industry convention in May 2023. The journey has been protracted, but necessary in delivering the realities required to raise industry standards, improve safety, whilst increasing options and opportunities for members.
Realisations and Determinations
A challenge in framing any viable industry accreditation program, is to establish a logical and accessible compliance platform that does not induce anxiety. In our extensive deliberations product and workplace health & safety compliance centred on law ultimately proved untenable, complicated by our three-tiered system of governance, national, state/territory and local. In some instances, product compliance legislation is overly complex, subject to interpretation or non-existent. Health & safety is generally the remit of state and territory government statutes, which are often not harmonized across jurisdictions, whilst local government directives can vary council by council in areas such as temporary structures. Our industry knows no borders; the same set of guidelines must apply and support everyone, everywhere.
Given the aforementioned, the liberating moment arrived when we realised industry best practice is clearly the only truly definable position, and must be the focus of compliance, alongside the necessary, and clear federal legislation such as that concerning frequency spectrum, its availability and use. We also determined that a best practice environment must be empowering and driven by intent.
Implementation
The optional ACETA accreditation will be available to all bona-fide members, and in three streams, manufacturer, manufacturer representative, and the service & support sector, ensuring the unique needs of all industry participants are met.
Industry (Best Practice) Guidelines are now being established or updated for all entertainment technology categories, including audio, lighting, vision, service and support. It is commitment to these Guidelines that will form accreditation technology compliance aspects. For example, ACETA Industry (Best Practice) Guidelines for the service and support sector will be based on the International Code of Practice for Entertainment Rigging (ICOPER). This will not only establish the ACETA compliance guideline for the sector, but also harmonize the Australian industry with the standards now established in the USA (ESTA), the UK (PLASA) and other nations that have adopted the ICOPER protocol.
The ACETA Accreditation program is uniquely tailored to the needs of the Australian entertainment technology industry, and will be modified and/or expanded following annual review. The program is optional for bona-fide ACETA members, and is a protocol founded on self-regulation. An accreditation application will be lodged by the member and considered by an independent panel.
All the best
Frank Hinton
President
ACETA