Edgetech I.G. Releases Updated I.G. Certification Manual

Date: 6 October 2009

Popular industry resource now includes ENERGY STAR® information for U.S. and Canada Edgetech I.G. has updated its popular IG Certification Manual, which now includes certification procedures and ENERGY STAR® requirements for both the U.S. and Canada.

The IG Certification Manual was first introduced in 2008 to provide manufacturers with a concise resource for timelines, step-by-step instructions, frequently asked questions, a glossary of related terms and a directory of IG certification agencies.

“The IG Certification Manual has been a popular download on our Web site because of its unbiased and useful information regarding the many changes in our industry,” said Erin Johnson, director of marketing for Edgetech I.G. “This version includes updated timelines, information and the new ENERGY STAR® requirements for Canada, which are scheduled to go into effect September 1, 2010.”

Edgetech worked closely with Marg Webb, executive director for the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA), to complete the updated manual. According to Webb, it is expected that changes to ENERGY STAR® criteria in Canada will go smoothly since, under the Canadian Standards Association CSA A440, IGMAC certification was already a requirement.

“I would estimate that around 85 percent of IG manufacturers in Canada have already obtained certification, so I don’t anticipate the rush to the labs like in the U.S.,” Webb said. “However, manufacturers need to be aware of the updates and how they impact their businesses – and the few who have not yet certified are encouraged to do so.”

In the U.S., manufacturers must certify their products before the July 1, 2010 deadline established by the National Fenestration Ratings Council and the U.S. Department of Energy. There is much concern that the limited number of test labs will become overcrowded, making it difficult for manufacturers to certify in time.

“Certification labs are filling rapidly, and timing has become extremely critical for manufacturers who have not yet certified,” Johnson said. “The July 2010 deadline is less than a year away, and certification in the U.S. can take up to 30 weeks – possibly longer if reengineering is required.”

Edgetech’s IG Certification Manual is designed to provide all of the information manufacturers need to use their time wisely and ensure their products will pass the stringent ASTM E2190 or CAN/CGSB 12.8 standard specifications for IG performance and evaluation. The updated IG Certification Manual is now available for download at Edgetech’s dedicated certification Web page: www.certifyyourig.com.