NFRC has been presented with an opportunity to strengthen its flagship Product Certification Program. This will raise the credibility of the certified product ratings that program particpants use and help NFRC fulfill its strategic goal to achieve greater recognition in the domestic and international residential fenestration market. An accredited PCP will benefit all stakeholders.

NFRC will pursue accreditation for its flagship Product Certification Program (PCP) to the ISO/IEC 17065 standard. Accreditation of the PCP will:

• Increase the credibility of NFRC and our certified product ratings,
• Streamline processes for all participants, labs, and IAs,
• Ensure manufacturers using NFRC-certified product ratings comply with domestic and international regulatory bodies,
• Provide a sustainable future for the certified product ratings used by participants,
• Identify NFRC and its PCP participants as partners with allied industry organizations and government agencies.

The NFRC Board of Directors has authorized the following staff actions:

• Pursue accreditation through both the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for the Product Certification Program,
• Create a board working group to assist staff,
• Inform membership of the plan to achieve accreditation,
• Ensure transparency throughout the process.

No, PCP fees will not increase this year. NFRC staff will continue to evaluate and manage the costs of operating an accredited certification program with an emphasis on streamlining and reducing overhead.

A timeline has been developed for pursuing accreditation and implementing the program. Costs will not be known until accreditation and implementation of the certification program is complete. At that time, NFRC will revisit fees associated with participation in the PCP.

There will be some minor changes to the PCP affecting members and participants:

• Balloting prcess: NFRC staff will ensure balloted changes comply with the requirements of accreditation
• CPD: The Certified Products Database Management System will be updated to incorporate new business rules and processes.
• License agreements: New license agreements will be developed for participants, IAs, labs, and policy committees.
• Training: NFRC will create and conduct training for staff, IAs, laboratories, and PCP participants.

No. You will not need to switch labs or IA.

No. The IAs will continue to administer the program through their review of test and simulation reports, and quality assurance inspections. NFRC will not assume those duties from the IAs. Accreditation does mean that NFRC will standardize the processes that the IAs and labs follow and NFRC will sign the certification documents - Certificates of Authorization (CA) or Certification Authorization Reports (CAR) - that you receive now.