Internationally, a performance-based approach can help break-down barriers, provide consistency, reduce ambiguity and allow new technologies developed overseas to be quickly utilised in local projects.  It has been stated that building regulatory systems around the world are going through dramatic change in response to changing stakeholder needs and political environment.[1]

These changes in building regulatory systems around the world are occurring for a number of reasons. The most common reason is that it allows the introduction of greater flexibility for the building code users.[2]

The use and acceptable of ‘Alternative Solutions is now an integral part of a well-functioning performance-based regulatory system. They also provide freedom to deal with innovative ideas.[3]

[1] Bergeron, D 2003, Role of Acceptable Solutions in Evaluating Innovative Designs, Proceedings of the CIB-CTBUH International Conference on Tall Buildings, 8-10 May 2003, Malaysia, p.1

[2] Bergeron, D, Bowen, B, Tubbs, B & Rackliffe T 2001, Acceptable Solutions, CIB World Building Congress, April 2001, Wellington, New Zealand Paper number: 257 p.1

[3] Bergeron, D, Bowen, B, Tubbs, B & Rackliffe T, 2001, Acceptable Solutions, CIB World Building Congress, April 2001, Wellington, New Zealand Paper number: 257 p.5