The Keystone Window Certification Program

The Keystone Window Certification Program requires that product tests be conducted by independent laboratories meeting specific quality requirements.

Laboratory Requirements for Keystone Program Testing:

1. Accreditation – Laboratories must hold ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, indicating full accreditation by an accredited accreditation body and compliance with international quality management standards.
2. Experience – Laboratories must have relevant experience in testing windows and other window-related products.
3. Equipment – Laboratories must possess appropriate laboratory equipment.
4. Personnel – Laboratories must employ suitably qualified personnel whose qualifications and competencies are confirmed by certificates and certifications.
5. Independence – Laboratories must be fully independent, with no conflict of interest between the laboratory and the manufacturer whose product is being tested.

All laboratories wishing to conduct tests under the Keystone certification program must apply for accreditation, with their processes and quality management systems subject to detailed evaluation by an accredited entity. After accreditation, laboratories must undergo regular audits to ensure ongoing compliance with Keystone program requirements.

What is the Keystone Window Certification Program? The Keystone Window Certification Program is an initiative aimed at ensuring that windows are designed, tested, and manufactured in accordance with requirements and quality standards. The certification program is accredited by both the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), covering other window industry products such as exterior doors, facade systems, and roof windows.

Products receiving the Keystone certification must undergo a series of tests and meet requirements for various parameters such as thermal insulation, air tightness, wind and rain resistance, and load-bearing capacity. All tests are conducted by independent laboratories, and the results are subjected to detailed analysis to ensure compliance.

Keystone certification can only be awarded to manufacturers who commit to complying with all certification program requirements and regularly subject their products to testing and audits. Ultimately, the certification serves as a quality guarantee for customers, assuring them that by purchasing windows with Keystone certification, they are receiving products that meet the highest quality standards.

The independence of the laboratory is particularly important as it helps avoid conflicts of interest that could influence test results and product evaluations. To obtain Keystone certification, manufacturers must provide the certification program with test results conducted by independent laboratories confirming that their products meet specified quality requirements.