ICP ACCREDITATION A MUST HAVE FOR UPVC WINDOWS IN AUSTRALIA

Background

With its harsh and variable weather patterns, Australia has the highest solar radiation per square metre of land of any continent in the world. This means that products formulated for the Northern Hemisphere often lack the durability to survive our extreme climate, leading to embrittlement, discolouring, and fading over time.

Responsible suppliers recognise the need for all products used in Australian buildings to be formulated and designed for the country’s harsh climate. Until recently, the market had no means of identifying uPVC profiles that had been manufactured to resist the ferocity of the Australian climate. Recognising this gap, the uPVC Window Alliance developed the uPVC Window Profiles Industry Code of Practice (ICP) Accreditation Scheme. Now window and door profiles, manufactured for Australian conditions, can be tested and certified for their durability, strength, and colour longevity.

What does ICP accreditation involve?

The ICP has set specific composition, weathering resistance, colour and impact strength requirements for extruded uPVC window and door profiles in Australian buildings. These go beyond the typical testing standards in other regions including Europe, North America and Asia.

To gain ICP accreditation, uPVC profiles are independently tested and must meet stringent strength and colour retention criteria after 2 years of exposure. Specifiers, builders, architects and their clients can be confident that ICP-certified uPVC profiles are durable under Australian climatic conditions, and that they will maintain their strength and colour for many years of service.

The Australian Glass & Window Association recognises and supports the uPVC Windows Alliance’s ICP by including it in its Accreditation Program for its uPVC members. This means that AGWA’s uPVC members meet the stringent testing requirements that are relevant to Australian conditions.