Collaboration On This Effort Will Have Far-Reaching Impact for Our Evolving Association and Members
By Don Browne
The Polymeric Exterior Products Association (PEPA) continues to promote new market opportunities for its member manufacturers through its product certification and building code developments. It’s a tradition of excellence started more than 25 years ago (when the association was known as the Vinyl Siding Institute) and the latest milestones could have a far-reaching impact for the polymeric exteriors industry.
Now is the time to drum up some excitement about the implementation of vinyl siding, insulated vinyl siding and polypropylene siding and compliance through the Product Certification program to the provisions of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC).
It’s a new added service to the existing program, which enables manufacturers to obtain PCLs and PERs in the Canadian language. It also shows conformance to the NBC.
According to Sara Krompholz, Senior Director, Technical and Certification, PEPA, this implementation will become a reality next year.
We’re working behind the scenes to have all our documentation in order so that starting on January 1, 2025, the VSI Product Certification Program officially recognizes the NBC and will be listed as such in the Intertek directory of building products.
Sara noted that this significant development promotes Intertek’s work (the Certification Body) in expanding their scope of accreditation in Canada to recognize the VSI Product Certification Program.
“Our Certification mark is registered through our U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,” she said. “It took us a couple years due to COVID and other factors, but it was fully registered in late 2023. We plan to do the same with the Canadian counterpart, Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), following similar steps.”
Continuing the Momentum
The VSI Product Certification Program will continue to provide value under the PEPA umbrella. And with the backed vinyl siding officially launched earlier this summer into the Product Certification Program, the NBC addition creates significant market development opportunities throughout North America. While backed siding, unlike the other product categories, is not referenced in the NBC, PEPA staff is working diligently with Intertek on how backed siding could attain NBC compliance.
The implementation of vinyl siding, insulated vinyl siding and polypropylene siding into the NBC was made possible through years of efforts working it through the code making process in Canada.
“No one committee can do this alone,” said Matt Dobson, Vice President, PEPA. “And the collaboration of different committees and their combined talents on this effort will have a far-reaching impact for our growing organization.”
With the PEPA expansion, this “northern exposure” opens the door for other PEPA members’ polymeric exterior products to find greater acceptance into the Canadian market.
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Don Browne is a writer, entrepreneur and local legislator who believes that the power of words can change the world. He provides unique writing services for clients in the construction, health care, IT and hospitality sectors. He has a passion for small business and start-ups, as well as writing about Irish history, family and corporate biographies. As a homeowner and father of four who is passionate about community development, Don looks forward to writing more about the exciting possibilities of creating traditional neighborhoods and more sustainable communities using modern materials.
