Construction product certification source index

To check a construction product certification claim, identify who issued the document and what it covers, then confirm it with that body or its public register. This page is an index of where such checks are done, organised by the kind of source. It contains no product records, and it cannot tell you whether a product is acceptable for your building.

Standards bodies: what the requirement says

These organisations publish the standards that products are tested or assessed against. They are where you read what a test method or requirement actually states.

• ASTM International: test methods and material specifications widely cited for construction products.
• ISO: international standards, including management-system and product standards.
• ASHRAE: standards and guidance on energy, ventilation and building performance.
• ICC: model building codes and evaluation reports for products in the United States.
• CFSEI and AISC: engineering institutes with technical resources for cold-formed and structural steel.

Certification and testing bodies: what a product was assessed against

Product certificates and listings come from testing laboratories and certification bodies, for example UL for safety and fire-related listings. Each body has its own public way to look up a certificate or listing. Use the certificate number from the supplier and check that the product name, model, scope and validity dates match the record held by the body. Regional and national bodies exist in each market; find the one your authority recognises.

Regulators and authorities

Local building authorities decide what is accepted where you build. Government sites, such as OSHA in the United States for workplace safety information, explain regulatory duties. Your local authority's own site and office are the final reference for local acceptance. Ask the engineer of record which standards and documents they require, rather than guessing.

A verification method

The reasoning behind each step is explained in checking a product certification claim. Related reading includes reading a material test report, reading an EPD and fire-rated assemblies documentation.

Common failure points

• The certificate covers a different model or thickness than the one quoted.
• The test was run on an assembly, but only a component is being sold.
• The certificate has expired or the standard was replaced by a newer edition.
• A logo is shown in place of a certificate number.
• The scope covers one factory, but the product comes from another.

For glossary support see certificate of conformity, fire-resistance rating and acoustic rating.

Filing the evidence

Add each verified certificate to the materials document library with the verification note. Use the supplier due diligence checklist to decide which claims must be verified before you award an order. For the approach to dated evidence used across this site, see the editorial methodology.

Questions people ask

Does this page list certified products?

No. It points to the kinds of bodies that issue standards, test results and certificates, and explains how to verify a claim with them.

Is a supplier's PDF certificate enough?

Treat it as a claim until the issuing body or its public register confirms the certificate number, scope and validity.

Does certification mean my building will be approved?

No. Acceptance is decided by the engineer of record and the local authority.

What is the difference between a standard and a certificate?

A standard defines a requirement or test method. A certificate states that a product or system was assessed against it.

Sources and further reading

• ISO
• ASTM International
• UL
• ICC
• ASHRAE

Text Digital Oro

Digital Oro International advertises on The Company Chronicle. This guide was written by our editorial team from public sources and general professional practice; it does not describe a guarantee, quote or offer from Digital Oro International. Confirm current terms, prices and availability with the operator before you decide.