diff --git a/src/ifcbimtester/bimtester/features/steps/model_federation.py b/src/ifcbimtester/bimtester/features/steps/model_federation.py
index cab9451df0..7190918533 100644
--- a/src/ifcbimtester/bimtester/features/steps/model_federation.py
+++ b/src/ifcbimtester/bimtester/features/steps/model_federation.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import ifcopenshell.util.geolocation
-import numpy as np
+import ifcopenshell.util.placement
 from behave import step
 
 from utils import assert_number
@@ -7,31 +7,6 @@ from utils import assert_type
 from utils import IfcFile
 
 
-def a2p(o, z, x):
-    y = np.cross(z, x)
-    r = np.eye(4)
-    r[:-1, :-1] = x, y, z
-    r[-1, :-1] = o
-    return r.T
-
-
-def get_axis2placement(plc):
-    z = np.array(plc.Axis.DirectionRatios if plc.Axis else (0, 0, 1))
-    x = np.array(plc.RefDirection.DirectionRatios if plc.RefDirection else (1, 0, 0))
-    o = plc.Location.Coordinates
-    return a2p(o, z, x)
-
-
-def get_local_placement(plc):
-    if plc is None:
-        return np.eye(4)
-    if plc.PlacementRelTo is None:
-        parent = np.eye(4)
-    else:
-        parent = get_local_placement(plc.PlacementRelTo)
-    return np.dot(get_axis2placement(plc.RelativePlacement), parent)
-
-
 def get_decimal_points(value):
     try:
         return len(value.split(".")[1])
@@ -83,7 +58,7 @@ def step_impl(context, guid, easting, northing, elevation):
     element = IfcFile.by_guid(guid)
     if not element.ObjectPlacement:
         assert False, "The element does not have an object placement: {}".format(element)
-    m = get_local_placement(element.ObjectPlacement)
+    m = ifcopenshell.util.placement.get_local_placement(element.ObjectPlacement)
     e, n, h = ifcopenshell.util.geolocation.xyz2enh(
         m[0][3],
         m[1][3],
@@ -110,7 +85,7 @@ def step_impl(context, guid, x, y, z):
     element = IfcFile.by_guid(guid)
     if not element.ObjectPlacement:
         assert False, "The element does not have an object placement: {}".format(element)
-    m = get_local_placement(element.ObjectPlacement)
+    m = ifcopenshell.util.placement.get_local_placement(element.ObjectPlacement)
     element_x = round(m[0][3], get_decimal_points(x))
     element_y = round(m[1][3], get_decimal_points(y))
     element_z = round(m[2][3], get_decimal_points(z))
diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/placement.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/placement.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5ddc25c068
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/placement.py
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import numpy as np
+
+def a2p(o, z, x):
+    y = np.cross(z, x)
+    r = np.eye(4)
+    r[:-1, :-1] = x, y, z
+    r[-1, :-1] = o
+    return r.T
+
+
+def get_axis2placement(plc):
+    z = np.array(plc.Axis.DirectionRatios if plc.Axis else (0, 0, 1))
+    x = np.array(plc.RefDirection.DirectionRatios if plc.RefDirection else (1, 0, 0))
+    o = plc.Location.Coordinates
+    return a2p(o, z, x)
+
+
+def get_local_placement(plc):
+    if plc is None:
+        return np.eye(4)
+    if plc.PlacementRelTo is None:
+        parent = np.eye(4)
+    else:
+        parent = get_local_placement(plc.PlacementRelTo)
+    return np.dot(get_axis2placement(plc.RelativePlacement), parent)