AAMA Joins with ALI to Offer IG Certification

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association has joined forces with Associated Labs Inc. to offer insulating glass certification. The two organizations are working together to broaden accessibility to such services in time for new National Fenestration Rating Council requirements for IG certification.

"The success of the largest North American whole product certification program combines with ALI's well-established IG certification program," states Rich Walker, AAMA president and CEO. "This relationship brings together two powerhouses of fenestration expertise—ALI with decades of IG certification experience and AAMA with decades of fenestration product certification and standards setting experience."

As of today, NFRC begins enforcing the requirement for IG certification by a listed, third-party certification program for all IG units used in products that are authorized for NFRC certification and labeled in accordance with the NFRC 700 product certification program. An NFRC communication sent on June 22 states, "NFRC recommends that NFRC participating manufacturers contact one of the listed IGC Programs to obtain a copy of the IG Certification program requirements and discuss their options, ensuring that their insulating glass units are authorized for certification by the deadline date of July 1, 2010."

In order to receive NFRC certification, window and door manufacturers are required to use certified insulating glass units from an approved, ANSI-accredited certification agency, such as ALI. The listing of the IG certification program sponsors can be found on the NFRC Web site.  

"ALI offers competitive fees and a long history of IG certification," Walker points out. "ALI has been offering IG certification since 1968 and has been the sole administrator of AAMA's air-water-structural certification program since 1984."

"AAMA brings to the table vast window and door experience, as well as marketing opportunities and accessibility to technology to increase the value of the licensee's investment," states Brad Schultz, ALI vice president.

"There will be immediate cost and scheduling savings for companies who currently participate in the AAMA air-water-structural certification program," Walker points out. "Performing inspections for both the air-water-structural and IG programs offer significant cost savings."