Regulatory News

IRS Issues Proposed Rule for Product ID Requirements

The proposed rule on PINs for 25C tax credit-eligible products, including windows, doors and skylights and is required by the Inflation Reduction Act.

FGIA Updates AAMA 910-24 Specification

The updated specification and test method intends to model, through accelerated testing, the normal wear that can be expected during the life of a typical AW Class window or door.

FGIA Updates AAMA 713-24 Specification

The AAMA 713-24 specification provides a means to determine the chemical compatibility of sealants used for the installation of fenestration products.

U.S. DOE Announces $90 Million in Funding

To help states and cities implement updated energy codes for commercial and residential buildings, the funding will support 25 new projects nationwide to ensure buildings meet the latest energy efficiency standards.

FGIA Updates Specification for Rotary, Linear Operations in Window Applications

FGIA has updated a document titled "Specification for Rotary and Linear Operations in Window Applications."

FGIA Releases Updated Anodized Architectural Aluminum Specification

FGIA has updated AAMA 611-24, Specification for Anodized Architectural Aluminum.

NFRC Releases Update on Labeling Transition Plan

The National Fenestration Ratings Council reports that ongoing NFRC PCP accreditation efforts have necessitated changes to its certification mark.

EPA Proposes to Begin Evaluations on Vinyl Chloride

Vinyl chloride is used primarily in the manufacturing and processing of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC.

EEOC Addresses Jobsite Harassment with New Guide

The federal agency wants to to help construction leaders prevent and address harassment on the job.

Addressing America's Housing Affordability Crisis

Research conducted on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders asserts that nearly four out of five Americans feel that the country is experiencing a housing affordability crisis and that not enough is being done by government officials to address the issue.

Chemist Examines Canadian Plastics Regulation

Dr. Peter Mirtchev with the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada offered considerations for finished fenestration and glazing construction products when it comes to plastics in Canada at the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance Summer Conference in Montreal, Quebec.

US DOE Sets National Definition for Zero Emissions Building

The U.S. DOE has officially set a definition for a zero emissions building, which encompasses energy efficiency, clean energy and no on-site emissions.

FGIA Webinar to Introduce Canada’s Federal Plastics Registry

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance is hosting a webinar on June 13 that will educate participants on reporting requirements of Canada’s new Federal Plastics Registry.

Industry leaders make the case for high-performance fenestration at NGA Glass & Glazing Advocacy Days

Glass and fenestration leaders met with federal agency representatives at NGA's Glass & Glazing Advocacy Days to discuss major issues facing the future of fenestration.

HUD and USDA Announce Adoption of Minimum Energy Standards

The Minimum Energy Standards are projected to expand housing affordability, minimize health risks and improve resilience of homes during extreme weather events for homeowners and renters.

WDMA Underlines Funding for Affordable Housing, R&D at Spring Meeting

Securing incentives for affordable housing topped the agenda at WDMA's Spring Meeting and Legislative Conference. Facing the difficult legislative context of an election year, leaders set out legislative priorities for the industry.

New Product Category Rule for Fenestration Assemblies Now Available

A new product category rule for fenestration systems defines a normalized “declared unit” as one square meter of fenestration assemblies, including framing and glass.

DOE Launches $2 Million Prize to Advance Cost-effective, Energy-efficient Commercial Secondary Glazing Systems

The Building Technologies Office, part of the Department of Energy, announced that they will sponsor a $2 million dollar prize to encourage production of high-performance and cost-effective secondary glazing systems towards improving energy performance in commercial windows. The first phase of the…

NAHB Calls on Policymakers to Increase Nation’s Housing Supply

The National Association of Home Builders is calling on policymakers at all levels of government to take actions to help boost the nation’s housing supply and ease a high housing inflation rate.

Biden Administration Unveils $90 Million for Upgraded Building Codes

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $90 million to help update local and state building energy codes across the country for greater energy efficiency, which can cut greenhouse gas emissions and utility bills and provide other benefits.

NAHB Testifies to Congress on Government Regulations and Mandates

The National Association of Home Builders told Congress that burdensome government regulations and mandates that support environmental, social and governance policies impede the housing industry’s ability to increase the production of quality, affordable housing.

Sustainability, in All Its Forms, Emphasized at FGIA Conference

FGIA's Summer Conference included specific conversations about the broad topic of sustainability. Industry leaders directed discussions about new and future regulations, and how companies can meet standards for manufacturing and products. 

Aluminum Extruders Council says unfair import rules have lead to massive rise in imported aluminum

Officials for the Aluminum Extruders Council commend Senator Tom Cotton for asking the Department of Commerce to address untarriffed aluminum imports. The AEC says current rules have lead to a significant rise in imported aluminum, a disadvantage to U.S. manufacturers.

Residential Construction Workers and Lawmakers Discuss Housing Issues

Hundreds of residential construction workers from many different sectors of the industry met with lawmakers in D.C. on June 7 to call on Congress to take action in aiding the housing affordability crisis. 

WDMA Urges House Leaders to Reconsider Section 301 Tariffs

WDMA and other concerned organizations are asking House leaders to reconsider Section 301 tariffs on Chinese products, and how these taxes on U.S. business translate to a financial burden on U.S. consumers and businesses.

FGIA Releases Updated Thermoplastic Profile Extrusions Standard

FGIA has released updated requirements for material properties of rigid reinforced thermoplastic exterior profile extrusions used for assembled fenestration products. 

EPA Releases Final Energy Star Criteria for Skylights, TDDs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency releases the final Energy Star Most Efficient Recognition Criteria for Skylights and Tubular Daylighting Devices, which recognizes products that are well above the Energy Star base efficiency.

WDMA Urges Congress to Act on Import Tariffs

The Window & Door Manufacturers Association recently submitted a statement to the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways & Means Committee urging the U.S. Congress to act on Section 232 and 301 import tariffs imposed on China.

WDMA Names New Leadership Team

The Window & Door Manufacturers Association named its new leadership team, including its new 2023-2025 chair, Emily Videtto of Pella Corp.

The National Glass Association Addresses Industry's Top Priorities During Second Annual Glass & Glazing Advocacy Days

March 27-28 the National Glass Association hosted its second annual Glass & Glazing Advocacy Days. Policy priorities included school security, bird-friendly glazing, high-performance glazing, recyclability/sustainability, and workforce development.

Use of Residential Energy Tax Credits Increases

It appears that taxpayers are taking advantage of new home energy-efficiency related tax credits. A recent Internal Revenue Service data analysis by the National Association of Home Builders indicates that more than 800,000 taxpayers claimed a new home-related energy-efficiency tax incentive.

NAHB Comments on House Passage of H.R. 1

National Association of Home Builders Chairman Alicia Huey issued a statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1), which looks to fast-track American energy production through permitting reforms.

EPA Requests Industry Information on Emissions, Launches a Series of Webinars

Industry stakeholders are invited by the EPA to participate in an information gathering process. Stakeholders can submit public comments by May 1 regarding how the EPA should best invest the $350 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce embodied greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA will…

2022 North American Fenestration Standard Published

The 2022 edition of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 for windows, doors and skylights has been published. The updated 2022 standard replaces the 2017 edition, representing a continued evolution of the standard to improve harmonization across North America.

WDMA Urges EPA to Uphold Rejection of Regulating Discarded PVC as Hazardous Waste

The Window & Door Manufacturers Association is urging the Environmental Protection Agency to finalize the tentative denial of the Center for Biological Diversity's petition requesting that discarded polyvinyl chloride be listed as a hazardous waste.

NAHB Says Boosting Housing Production is Best Way to Ease Affordability Crisis

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says that constructing more single-family and multifamily homes is the key to helping end the ongoing housing affordability crisis.

NAHB Responds to President Biden’s State of the Union Address

NAHB Chairman Alicia Huey emphasizes the critical nature of the nation’s housing affordability crisis and the importance of access to affordable housing.

WDMA Releases 2023 National Policy Agenda

The Window & Door Manufacturers Association releases its 2023 National Policy Agenda, a comprehensive guide and resource for federal policymakers that identifies priorities and offers solutions to the biggest challenges impacting U.S. manufacturers in the housing and residential construction…

WDMA Urges U.S. Trade Representative to Remove Section 301 Tariffs

As part of its statutory four-year review of the China-related Section 301 tariffs, the Window & Door Manufacturers Association filed coalition comments with the Office of the United States Trade Representative, calling for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to protect manufacturers by…

NFRC Documents Available for Public Review and Comment

Six National Fenestration Rating Council technical documents are now open for public review, comment and the full ANSI consensus process until Feb. 13, 2023.

WDMA Urges Congress to Address Housing Affordability

The Window and Door Manufacturers Association sent a letter to every member of Congress urging for the immediate elimination of two tariffs on key home building materials as well as the reinstatement of an exclusion process for Section 301 tariffs, which WDMA says continue to negatively impact…

WDMA Responds to IRS Request for Comments

The Window and Door Manufacturers Association responded to a request for comments issued by the Treasury Department and the IRS on questions arising from the amendments made by the Inflation Reduction Act to the 25C tax credits for the purchase of energy efficient windows, doors and skylights.…

Three NFRC Standards in Public Review

Three National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) documents are currently open for public review and comment according to the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) process until Nov. 28.

EPA Finalizes Energy Star Version 7.0

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the Version 7.0 Energy Star Specification for Residential Windows, Doors and Skylights on Oct. 20. The new criteria will go into effect on Oct. 23, 2023, with products meeting the new criteria eligible for early certification starting immediately.…

NAHB Urges President Biden to Address Rising Housing Costs

Jerry Konter, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, issued the following statement after President Biden spoke about yesterday’s inflation report.

U.S. GSA Seeks Industry Input on Clean Construction Materials

The U.S. General Services Administration is currently seeking industry input  to learn more about the availability of domestically manufactured, locally sourced low-carbon construction materials in an effort to prioritize the use of American-made, lower-carbon construction materials…

NAHB Concerned About Effects of Supply Chain Shortages

In a statement, Jerry Howard, chief executive officer of the National Association of Home Builders urged the Biden administration to focus on helping to ease building material supply chain shortages that are resulting in housing construction delays and higher home building costs.

To Increase Employment, US to Use All Employment-Based Green Cards

The NGA supports the National Association of Manufacturers in emphasizing the need to reduce a visa backlog in order to increase employment in industry.

Inflation Reduction Act May Help Accelerate Use of Electrochromic Glass, Say Halio Officials

Halio officials say that the recent passing of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which includes the Dynamic Glass Act, brings the cost of electrochromic windows to parity with low-emissivity glass.

Tremco Named Approved Provider for RetroFitNY Program

To set the stage for mass energy transformation of cities, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) aims to upgrade New York's building stock through their RetrofitNY Program, identifying partners to help drive and execute this change…

CGSB Approves Funding to Update Three Canadian Glass Standards

The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) approved funding to update three Canadian glass standards.

U.S. DOL Awards $121 Million to Improve Apprenticeship Programs

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded more than $121 million in Apprenticeship Building America grants to expand, diversify, and modernize registered apprenticeship programs. 

FGIA Updates PVC Fenestration Standard

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance has released an updated specification for producing quality PVC fenestration products.

NAHB Disappointed Biden Administration Not Eliminating Tariffs on Canadian Lumber

“NAHB is extremely disappointed that the Biden administration is turning a blind eye to America’s housing affordability crisis by refusing to eliminate tariffs on Canadian lumber at the same time it is considering rescinding tariffs on a wide range of Chinese goods to curb inflation."

NAHB Urges Congress to Take Steps to Get More Women in the Workforce

To get more women working in the residential construction sector and overall workforce, lawmakers must pursue flexible, targeted and incentive-based strategies to tackle the high cost of childcare and availability of paid leave, the National Association of Home Builders told Congress.

NAHB Commends Passage of Ocean Shipping Reform Act

NAHB commends Congress for acting in a bipartisan manner to pass the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.

President Biden Authorizes use of Defense Production Act to Accelerate Production of Solar Panel Parts

The White House announced that President Biden will authorize the Defense Production Act (DPA) to accelerate domestic production of clean energy technologies, including solar panel parts, including photovoltaic modules and module components.

White House Announces National Initiative to Advance Building Codes Based on the International Codes

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell announced a National Initiative to Advance Building Codes, a new government-wide effort to boost national resiliency and reduce energy costs.

Biden Administration Reveals Housing Supply Action Plan

The plan includes legislative and administrative actions to help close America’s housing supply shortfall in 5 years, starting with the creation and preservation of hundreds of thousands of affordable housing units in the next three years.

Florida Governor Signs Bill Granting Tax Exemption for Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) recently signed House Bill 7101, which will provide a two-year sales tax exemption for consumer purchases of impact-resistant windows and doors for residential properties in the state of Florida

NAHB Responds to U.S. Trade Rep's Visit to Canada

Jerry Konter, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, issued the following statement regarding U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s recent visit to Canada to discuss the U.S.-Canada trade relationship with her counterpart Mary Ng, Canada’s minister of International Trade, Export…

NAHB Members Send Letter to Biden Warning Growing Housing Affordability Crisis Threatens Economy

More than 10,000 members of the National Association of Home Builders sent a letter to President Biden on April 27 calling on the White House to take immediate action as the growing housing affordability crisis is pushing the housing market to an inflection point that threatens to derail the…

High-performance Facades, Recycling Top Agenda at Glass and Glazing Advocacy Day

Leaders in the architectural glass and fenestration industries met with Congressional representatives to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the industry, as part of the National Glass Association’s first-ever Glass and Glazing Advocacy Day, April 4-5. The largely productive discussions…

OSHA Proposes Rule to Amend Injury and Illness Recordkeeping Regulation

In addition to reporting their Annual Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, the proposed rule would require certain establishments in certain high-hazards industries to electronically submit additional information from their Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, as well as their…

Industry Groups Applaud US Lifting UK Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

“The Biden administration’s move to end steel and aluminum tariffs from the United Kingdom is a welcome development and a positive first step that can help lower construction and housing costs," said Jerry Konter, NAHB chairman.

NAHB Calls for Ending Lumber Tariffs, Boosting Production at White House Event

The National Association of Home Builders urged the Biden administration to increase domestic production of timber from federal lands and to work with Canada on a new softwood lumber agreement that will eliminate tariffs during a virtual White House listening session on resolving the lumber and…

Proposed Energy Star Standards Further Help Glass Upgrades Pay for Themselves, Says EPA Analyst

EPA analyst Doug Anderson spoke in March to FGIA conference in-person and virtual attendees about the thinking and evidence behind the agency's draft 2 of the proposed ENERGY STAR 7.0 standards for architectural glass and window and door construction. 

Vinyl Institute Supports Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022

The bill seeks to address the long-standing, systemic supply chain and port disruption issues that the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated, especially the issue of detention and demurrage. 

President Biden Finalizes ‘Buy American’ Rule

President Biden's administration recently finalized a new rule to require any goods purchased with federal funding to contain 75 percent U.S.-made content by 2029.

WDMA Releases 2022 Policy Agenda

The advocacy agenda outlines policy priorities for the window, door, and skylight industry that will boost the housing and construction industry and support continued job creation in the vital U.S. manufacturing sector.

NAHB Responds to Lowering of Lumber Tariffs

"NAHB welcomes the Biden administration's move to reduce duties from 17.99 percent to 11.64 percent on softwood lumber shipments from Canada into the U.S. Reducing these tariffs is an important step forward to addressing America's growing housing affordability crisis and easing extreme price swings…

Biden Administration Expands Trucking Apprenticeships

Move to Double Lumber Tariffs is a Gut Punch to American Home Buyers, Home Owners, says NAHB

"With the nation in the midst of a housing affordability crisis, the Biden administration has moved to slap a huge, unwanted tax hike on American home buyers and renters by doubling the tariffs on Canadian lumber shipments into the U.S. This is the worst time to add needless housing costs onto the…

President Biden Signs Infrastructure Bill

President Biden signed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on Nov. 15. The legislation provides $550 billion in new funding for infrastructure projects over the next five years including roads, bridges, ports, rail, waterways, airports, public transit, broadband and…

Action on Supply Chain Bottlenecks, Tariffs Needed to Boost Housing Affordability, says NAHB

Testifying before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations, NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke told lawmakers that disruptions in the building materials supply chain that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic are having a disproportionate impact on smaller…

OSHA Issues Updated Guidance to Protect Workers from the Coronavirus

The updated guidance reflects developments in science and data, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated COVID-19 guidance issued July 27.

NAHB Supports Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, issued the following statement today in support of the $1 trillion bipartisan Senate infrastructure bill.

WDMA Supports New Canadian Formaldehyde Regulations

While a thorough review of the annexed regulations is under way by WDMA staff and members of the WDMA National Architectural Door Council, the cursory review of the Rule appears to have satisfied most of the concerns raised by WDMA.

EPA Releases Proposed Energy Star Version 7.0 Specification

Last week EPA released its Energy Star Version 7.0 Residential Window, Door, and Skylight Draft 1 Specification for public review and comment. Comments are due Aug. 20, 2021.

NAHB Responds to White House Material Supply Chain Meeting

Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, issued the following statement upon the conclusion of last week's White House meeting to discuss home building material supply chain issues.

NAHB Urges Congress to Enact Policies to Help Builders Boost Housing Production

National Association of Home Builders CEO Jerry Howard testified before Congress on July 14 and called on lawmakers to enact key policy proposals that will help home builders to expand the housing supply, reduce the housing deficit and improve housing affordability for all Americans.

Commerce Secretary, NAHB Discuss Ideas to Resolve Lumber Issue

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo during a meeting last week with the National Association of Home Builders' senior officer team acknowledged the depth of the lumber price crisis and its effects on the residential construction industry, home buyers and renters. 

DOE Launches Initiative to Modernize Homes, Buildings

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm announced a new national initiative that EERE’s Building Technologies Office will lead to advance clean heating and cooling systems in buildings.

Steel Industry Groups Urge Biden to Keep Steel Tariffs In Place

Seven groups representing the domestic steel industry and labor urged President Joe Biden to ensure steel tariffs, put in place in 2018 to protect national security, are preserved.

Tax Credits for Employers Include Paid Leave for Employee Vaccinations

The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department released further details of tax credits available under the American Rescue Plan to help small businesses, including providing paid leave for employees receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.

NAHB Commends Biden's Infrastructure Plan

President Joe Biden unveiled a comprehensive $2 trillion infrastructure plan in late March that would address roads, bridges and address climate change, racial inequities raising corporate taxes and more.

OSHA Announces National Emphasis Program on COVID-19 Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration launched a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) on COVID-19 worker safety, which will focus on increasing OSHA inspections and enforcement efforts at high-contact worksites.

Biden Administration Announces Changes to Paycheck Protection Program

Last week, the Biden administration announced several changes to the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program, including that small businesses with fewer than 20 employees have an exclusive two-week window to apply for PPP loans beginning Feb. 24 through March 9.

WDMA 2021 National Policy Agenda Outlines Policy Priorities

The Window & Door Manufacturers Association released its 2021 WDMA National Policy Agenda, which outlines policy priorities for the window, door and skylight industry that will boost the housing and construction industry and support continued job creation in the vital U.S. manufacturing sector.

Trump Administration Lifts Reimposed Canadian Aluminum Tariffs

The Trump administration lifted the 10 percent tariffs on aluminum imports from Canada, which had been reimposed in August, according to CBC.CA.

US Reinstates Tariffs on Canadian Aluminum

President Trump reimposed a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports from Canada, effective Aug. 16, reported Politico. Canada issued retaliatory tariffs that will go into effect Sept. 16, according to BBC.

ICC-ES Applauds US-Mexico Canada Agreement, Offers Conformity Assessment Service in All Three Countries

Effective July 1, the United States-Mexico Canada Agreement, negotiated to replace NAFTA, officially entered into force. ICC Evaluation Service certifies products in all three USMCA markets and will continue to offer evaluation services in North America under the agreement.

NLRB Issues Joint-Employer Final Rule

The National Labor Relations Board issued its final rule governing joint-employer status under the National Labor Relations Act. The final rule restores the joint-employer standard that the Board applied for several decades prior to the 2015 decision in Browning-Ferris, but with the greater…

NAHB Commends President Trump on Signing USMCA Trade Deal

Dean Mon, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, issued the following statement after President Trump signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Two San Diego County Firms Settle with EPA for Lead Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made two settlements in San Diego County, California, for violations of federal regulations related to lead. Home Remodeling Center, based in San Marcos, will pay a $22,275 penalty. Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling, based in San Diego, will pay a $20,454…

WDMA Applauds Congress for Ratifying the USMCA

The Window & Door Manufacturers Association released the following statement regarding the vote by the U.S. Senate to ratify the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. 

NAHB Chairman Greg Ugalde Issues Statement about Joint Employer Rule

Trump Strikes Deal with China

The Trump Administration reached a Phase One deal with Chinese officials regarding the trading relationship between the two countries. As a part of this deal, the U.S. will cancel a 15 percent tariff on additional goods imported from China that were expected to go into effect on Dec. 15.

WDMA Criticizes Decision to Reinstate Steel and Aluminum Tariffs on Argentina and Brazil

The Window & Door Manufacturers Association strongly criticized President Trump’s announcement that his Administration will reinstate Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Argentina and Brazil, which had been previously excluded.

President Trump to Impose New 10% Tariff on Chinese Goods

The U.S. may levy a 10 percent tariff on $300 billion in Chinese goods beginning on Sept. 1, according to reporting by the Washington Post.