IGMA Licenses Certification Program to IGCC

The Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) has licensed its certification program for the ASTM E 2190 standard to the Insulating Glass Certification Council (IGCC). The IGMA certification procedures committee will become part of the IGCC committee and all IGMA program licensees (manufacturers that have been certified to the IGMA certification) will be eligible to vote at IGCC. The initial term of the license will be for one year.

"Both IGCC and IGMA have agreed to proceed judiciously to ensure the long-term success of this affiliation," said Marg Webb, IGMA executive director. "A short-term, mid-range and long-term strategy has been proposed that will lead, eventually, to the development of one certification program."

According to Webb, program strategies include the following:

Short Term

• IGMA formally adopted the use of IGCC guidelines (Always and Nevers) for certification product changes;
  
• Merging/harmonizing actions of the IGCC certification committee and IGMA certification procedures committee (meeting will be scheduled for late October this year);
  
• IGMA technical services committee will remain an independent committee under IGMA, but will serve in an advisory role to IGCC. A position for the IGCC program administrator will be created on the IGMA technical services committee.

Mid Range

• Establish an appeals board under IGCC to replace the IGMA certification council.

Long Range

• Upon harmonization of ASTM E2190 and EN 1279 under the current ISO format, IGMA and IGCC will work toward a certification that will be recognized and accepted in Europe; and
• Work toward creating a single North American set of requirements for certification.

According to an announcement from IGCC administrator John Kent, under the licensing agreement IGCC certification fees will not increase and will remain at current levels. The harmonization effort will not initially involve the IGCC Certified Products Directory.

In addition, IGMA still recognizes ALI and NAMI certification programs.