AAMA Gold Label Certification Program

The AAMA Certification Program and its familiar Gold Label are accepted or required by many federal, state and municipal building codes and administrators as an indication of product quality to builders, dealers, and building and homeowners. Given the value of the AAMA Gold Label, some manufacturers have been known to use imitation labels. To protect those companies who have passed the required rigorous testing within its certification program quality assurance system, the online Certified Products Directory catalogs all products currently authorized for certification through the AAMA program and the companies that manufacture them.

Offer your customers what your competitors don’t: the confidence of AAMA Certification through FGIA. The stringent AAMA Gold Label Certification Program procedures assure your customers that the products selected, when installed properly, match the quality of the sample product tested.

Show your customers that your windows, doors and skylights meet stringent performance standards with the AAMA Certification Label, which tells them that:

• A sample of the product underwent testing per the performance-based, material-neutral requirements of the AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights industry standard or its predecessors
• Tests were performed at an independent AAMA Accredited Test Lab and met the following criteria
  • Prescribed maximum levels of air leakage through the assembly
  • No water penetration through the assembly at a specified simulated wind speed
  • Prescribed levels of structural resistance to wind and other dynamic pressures
  • Life cycle durability requirements as applicable based on the product’s performance class designation
  • Component performance verification to AAMA specifications
• Two unannounced plant inspections each year confirm
  • The manufacturer has continually monitored the product production for compliance and quality assurance procedures
  • The product is being built as described in the test report or with approved modifications
  • The manufacturer is using the required certified profiles and verified components where performance standards for those particular parts and materials exist

The use of the AAMA Gold Label in promotional materials is available to AAMA Certification Program licensees exclusively.

Request the use of the AAMA Gold Label

• Submit a product sample to an AAMA Accredited Laboratory for performance testing.
• Products are tested to NAFS (AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440), though other specifications may also apply—refer to AAMA 103 for full details.
• Testing is typically the most time-intensive step, so we recommend beginning this process as early as possible.

• Review the program’s procedural guide: AAMA 103.
• Sign the license agreement and pay the applicable program fees.
• Participation in this program may be combined with:
  • The AAMA Gold Label Certification Program
  • The NFRC Thermal Certification Program
  • IGU Certification

Tip: Bundling programs can help reduce overall certification costs.

• Provide your QMS manual to our program Validator, Associated Laboratories, Inc. (ALI), for review.
• The manual must describe quality procedures for each manufacturing location that will produce certified products.
• ALI will evaluate your QMS for compliance with the minimum requirements outlined in AAMA 103 Section 16.0 and Section 17.0 if applicable.
• You will be notified if clarifications or changes are needed.

• Once testing is complete, the laboratory will send a test report and drawings to ALI for evaluation.
• These documents serve as the technical reference for certification and are used during factory inspections to verify that production matches the tested design.

• Once your QMS and test reports are approved and all fees are paid, FGIA will issue an Authorization for Product Certification (APC).
• Your certified products will be listed in the Certified Products Directory (CPD).
• Initial certification is valid for five years from the test completion date.
• Certification may be extended in additional five-year increments if program requirements continue to be met (see AAMA 103 Section 17).

• Begin labeling your products with the AAMA Gold Label at the place of manufacture.
• Products are not considered certified until properly labeled.
• Labels may be ordered by contacting ALI directly.
• Manufacturers may also print their own labels or use alternate marking methods (e.g., glass etching) in accordance with AAMA 103 Section 8.2.

Once certification begins, FGIA inspectors will conduct biannual, typically unannounced inspections to ensure:

• Certified products are being fabricated as tested, or with approved modifications.
• The approved QMS is being properly followed.

If any discrepancies are found, the licensee must respond within 30 days with a Corrective Action Plan that includes:

• Immediate containment of the issue
• A root cause analysis
• Measures to prevent recurrence

For detailed requirements and guidance, refer to the full AAMA 103 procedural guide.