Your guide to IG Certification
The IG Certification process may seem daunting, but we are here to help. The entire certification process can take approximately 24 weeks and can be broken down into four steps:
STEP 1: EVALUATE YOUR SYSTEM
This may be done by referencing a certified products directory provided by IG Certification agencies to see if a system comparable to yours has passed. These directories can be found online at each IG Certification Agency Web site. Please note that many of these certified products passed under old standards (E774), which are less strict than ASTM E 2190.
STEP 2: CONTACT AN IG CERTIFICATION AGENCY
Upon request to begin the certification process, the agency will provide specific instructions on how to get started, which usually includes completing paperwork, scheduling test time with an approved independent testing laboratory and paying all associated fees. After paperwork is complete, the agency will issue an audit report to an authorized inspector. A second key component of the auditor’s inspection is the review of your Quality Assurance program and supporting documentation. A formal QA program is a mandatory requirement of all IG Certification programs and you should review the details of
this mandate prior to the auditor’s visit.
STEP 3: INSPECTION AND FABRICATION OF TEST SAMPLES
It can take up to a month for the auditor to come to your plant and the auditor must be present to witness the manufacturing of sample units. After manufacture is complete, the test units will be labeled by the auditor. Under ASTM E 2190, the units must ship to the lab within 4 weeks of IG fabrication. Under the IGMAC program, test units must be received by the lab no later than 90 days after fabrication. Units received 91+ days are rejected and the fabricator must have a new facility audit. They may condition at either the fabricator or the testing laboratory. This allows for stabilization of the test units before testing. This requirement is detailed in ASTM E 2188, Standard Test Method for Insulating Glass Performance, Item 7.2, which is the referenced test method in ASTM E 2190.
STEP 4: SUBMIT UNITS FOR TESTING
After manufacture is complete, the test units will be labeled by the auditor, shipped to the test lab (within 4 weeks for ASTM E 2190, within 90 days for IGMAC) and conditioned. During this time, the test units will undergo the prescribed tests, which include high humidity, accelerated weathering and volatile fog tests.
STEP 5: AUTHORIZATION TO MARK
Upon successful completion of the testing and submittal of the test reports, the Certification Agency will send you a notification of certification and authorize you to mark your IG with certification identification.
If you need more assistance, we encourage you to Contact Us.