NWRA Says ANSI/SAE Z 26.1 Changes Will Impact Window Film

The National Windshield Repair Association’s (NWRA) board of directors recently issued a memo to association members alerting them about proposed changes to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Z26 Automotive Glazing Standard. SAE has submitted a revised version of the standard to ANSI for approval. If approved, NWRA says the changes could impact those who install window film, by requiring them to etch information onto treated glass.

“Even though officials of the committee say it does not affect the aftermarket, a reading of the language can leave no mistake,” says Paul Syfko, NWRA president. “The language is aimed at aftermarket treatment of the glass.”

The draft reads:

“7.3 Modified Glazing Markings: All modifications to the glazing materials made by someone other than the original glazing manufacturer shall be permanently marked on the glazing. Such modifications include but are not limited to a change in size, drilling, chemical treatment or repair. All such modifications, even when done with the expectation that compliance to this standard will be retained, shall be designated by subsequent permanent markings in characters at least 1.78mm (0.070”) in height. The markings shall indicate the nature of the change, the date (month and year), the location in which the change occurred, and a unique code that designates the change agent (e.g., body shop code, etc).”

NWRA believes that implementation of the drafted standard would quickly expand requirements to areas outside of glass repair. It has identified a number of groups it believes will be affected, including any company applying film or tint, in the event that adhesive backing is considered a “chemical treatment.”

The draft standard has been released by ANSI for public comment and NWRA is urging those affected to act quickly.
“ANSI procedures require that any comments about the proposed draft Standard be provided to SAE by December 24, 2007. We believe a full frontal assault by as many individuals and as many groups as possible will help us build a case for an ANSI appeal.

We must attempt to get as many comments as possible,” the memo states.

Interested parties can visit www.nwrassn.org for more information. NWRA is offering form letters, but urging personalized correspondence to the following:

John Turnbull, Chairperson
SAE ANSI Z26 Committee
755 W. Big Beaver, Suite 1600
Troy, MI 48084
E-mail: jwturnb@aol.com

Carbon Copy the following persons:

Suzanne Hurst
ANSI, Executive Assistant to General Council
189 L Street, NW
6th floor
Washington, DC 20036

Anne Caldas
ANSI, Director of Procedures & Standards Administration
25 West 43rd Street, 4th Fl.
New York, NY 10036

Jack Pokrzywa
SAE Automotive Headquarters Operations Manager
755 W. Big Beaver, Suite 1600
Troy, MI 48084
Email: jackp@sae.org

Micheline Brussow
SAE Vehicle Systems Group, Standards Specialist
755 W. Big Beaver, Suite 1600
Troy, MI 48084
Email: mbrussow@sae.org

Patrick Smith
NWRA
P.O. Box 569
Garrisonville, VA 22463
Email: psmith@nwrassn.org