By Robin Merrifield

Every robust certification program includes compliance and monitoring and the National Fenestration Rating Council’s Product Certification Program (PCP) is no exception. The combined investment that the fenestration industry places in the NFRC label – not just in terms of getting products certified but also in the work to maintain and run the program – is remarkable. Roughly 85 percent the fenestration industry, including window, door, skylights, and window film manufacturers; associations; laboratories, and inspection agencies participate in NFRC labeling processes and systems for residential buildings. 

Based on this, it should come as no surprise that NFRC takes the integrity of the label and how it is used very seriously. Because reports about questionable behavior that range from simple non-compliance issues to outright fraud are rare and kept confidential, it is possible that many people are unaware that a compliance program exists. 

We can assure you we’re always on the lookout for improper use and misappropriation of the label.  We want consumers to know the NFRC label guarantees their fenestration product has fair, accurate, and credible ratings backed by science. 

Why it Should Matter to You
In 1989, NFRC was founded to end the inaccurate, inconsistent, and unverifiable claims within the industry. Leaders in the fenestration industry realized they need ed to police themselves before an external entity decided to do it through regulations. 

Now, with NFRC’s standardized testing and reporting, false and misleading energy efficiency claims are largely a thing of the past – but not entirely. NFRC’s compliance and monitoring program (CAMP) exists to address these outliers. 

NFRC receives two or three inquiries a month, on average, from outside sources seeking to verify that claims are true or to report suspected false claims. The types of inquiry that lead to investigation include:

It is our hope that all stakeholders recognize NFRC attempts to maintain the integrity of the PCP, the NFRC Label, and the reputation of those who invest in both. 

What to Do if You Suspect Shenanigans

NFRC ’s CAMP is a fully confidential program that investigate s potential infractions of the NFRC PCP. CAMP receives reports and questions from consumers, manufacturers, inspection agencies, code officials and others. Though the list of complaints above are the most common and generally require some investigation, NFRC also receives notifications to clarify what is allowed. For example:  

One of the more serious infractions NFRC is seeing – and one that manufacturers need to be aware of – are foreign companies selling “counterfeit” products, named to intentionally mislead consumers about the actual manufacturer and/or certification.

If you or one of your customers has concerns about improper labeling or any other questionable practice, please complete THIS FORM . The more details provided – including images , photos, screenshots, descriptions, labels, CPD number -- the better. 

Our name is on the line. So is yours. We intend to protect both. 

Resources
For more information, check out the NFRC 707: Compliance and Monitoring Program document . To submit potential compliance concerns, use the Compliance Investigation Form  Questions? Reach out to Michelle Scism , Quality and Compliance Manager at (240) 821- 9511 or mscism@nfrc.org.

By Tom Herron, Senior Director of Market Development and Engagement and a LEED Green Associate. 

Many homeowners rely on the National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) third-party certification and labeling program to get the fair, accurate, and credible ratings that empower them to compare products before making a purchase. Now, this program just strengthened its credibility.

Just this month, NFRC’s FenStar® Certification Program, which ensures windows, doors, and skylights meet ENERGY STAR® specifications, received the renowned American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accreditation. This accreditation confirms the FenStar program meets the ISO/IEC 17065 standard used by certification bodies around the world. 

As the nation’s only independent, certification organization rating the energy performance of windows, doors, and skylights, NFRC’s ANSI accreditation benefits homeowners by confirming the organization’s ratings as objective and unbiased. Also, homeowners can easily identify the products that have gone through proper testing. 

Certification Matters

If you’re in the market for energy-efficient windows, doors, or skylights, third-party certification should be your first choice. When comparing products advertised as more energy efficient, it’s wise to understand how they were certified, so you spend your money wisely.

Certification labels offer a convenient tool for verifying a product manufacturer’s claims and deliver peace-of-mind, yet similar labels often have conflicting criteria. Ironically, this can confuse homeowners, triggering skepticism and ultimately causing them to choose familiar brands over better, more energy-efficient alternatives.

While there are no national standards for green or sustainable product testing, homeowners can still make more-informed choices by understanding how certification labels are created and awarded.

Three Kinds of Certification

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established three categories for voluntary certification and labeling programs:

First party. This is self-certification, and it is somewhat dubious because its standards are not clearly defined. Moreover, it comes directly from the manufacturer rather than an independent, outside source.

Second party. This is more credible than first-party certification because it relies on outside standard-setting organizations to verify performance claims. Second parties, however, are not independent. They typically have a primary business relationship with the first party, creating a potential conflict of interest. Further, their testing methods are not always standardized.

Third party. This is what NFRC provides, and it is the most trustworthy form of product certification. Third parties are truly independent because they have no primary business relationship with product manufacturers. This makes their test results purely objective and unbiased. Third parties also publish clearly defined standards, which are created in a public forum using a consensus-based process.

Finally, third parties are the most nurturing of innovation. Their unbiased test results educate purchasers, making them more discerning. This, in turn, encourages manufacturers to compete by implementing new ideas and technologies that improve energy efficiency while protecting our health, safety, and the environment.

Bringing it all Together