Is your company experiencing increased interest in sustainability? A new tool is now available for FGIA members whose customers seek environmentally conscious information to make choices for their homes and businesses. With property owners, architects and organizations’ interest in sustainable products and building practices growing, the newly released Product Category Rule (PCR) for fenestration systems comes at a great time.

Thanks to collaboration by FGIA, the National Glass Association (NGA), and the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), the updated and expanded PCR for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) debuted in February. Informed by third-party verified Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) within the framework of a PCR, EPDs help building owners, product specifiers, design professionals and others make accurate product comparisons required by some green building certification programs and a growing number of jurisdictions.

This PCR is important for reporting and standardizing EPD information for fenestration systems. It documents the goal and scope of LCAs for this category so that EPDs can be generated according to the applicable ISO standards.

Why else does this PCR matter? Without a well-defined industry PCR, it’s difficult for specifiers, architects, builders and other EPD users to make accurate comparisons in today’s sustainability-conscious world.

This new PCR is much more comprehensive, too. While the previous PCR only included windows, the latest standard expanded to include exterior-grade, finished fenestration assemblies including skylights, tubular daylighting devices (TDDs), and some door systems, in addition to curtain wall, window wall and storefront systems.

FGIA members are encouraged to consider how to use this new PCR as a tool to help their customers make informed, sustainable choices. Curious to learn more? Review the comprehensive fenestration systems PCR on the FGIA website.