Construction and Material Testing Standard for Kitchen Cabinets and Vanities
A New Standard Made in Canada
CKCA is introducing a new benchmark for the Canadian kitchen and vanity cabinet industry, developed as a home-grown solution to the problem of differentiating the proven quality of Canadian-made cabinets from the confusion of imports.
Filling an industry need, the new Construction and Material Testing Standard for Kitchen Cabinets and Vanities will set a recognized national standard for cabinet makers across the country. By adopting the new certification, members of the Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association will have access to a new and effective marketing tool to boost consumer confidence and purchasing convenience.
What it Means
The new certification program is based on a proven, industry-approved standard – the Construction and Material Standards for Kitchen Cabinet and Vanities, 2009.
Developed by a technical committee of key stakeholders within the Canadian kitchen industry, the standard is a result of the collective work of manufacturers, suppliers, housing authorities, environmental agencies, consultants and other experts in the field.
Program Objectives
- To offer manufacturers the opportunity to test and certify the products they sell
- To be responsive to today's Canadian kitchen manufacturers.
- Establish a certification that is recognized by architects, designers, retailers and regulatory authorities across Canada.
The Process
This industry-led initiative has established a minimum standard that Canadian cabinet manufacturers can rely on. The certification program for kitchen cabinets, vanities, and related products will test, using a Standards Council of Canada-recognized testing laboratory, and certify to the standards that are published by the association.
As part of the process, the CKCA staff will help you understand the requirements and deliver the conformity assessment services you need.
Why do it?
As the national trade association, we understand your goal to get your products to market in a timely and efficient, manner. We are seeking to help you achieve just that with a new way to differentiate your products from the confusion of cabinets being sold across the country.
National standards are an accepted measure of performance and product quality, encompassing practically every product or service that today’s consumer encounters,. The CKCA’s new standard provides your customers with the information to make informed, confident decisions when they renovate or purchase a new home.
Like other well-established certification programs, like ENERGY STAR, Canadian Standards Association (CSA), and LEED Rating Systems Certification, this program
offers Canadian cabinet manufacturers the opportunity to build consumer confidence with the promise of consistent quality products they can trust.
The Benefits
- build public trust and prove performance claims
- raise market expectations for cabinet quality
- create a distinct image for certified cabinets with marketing tools that will include point-of-purchase identity materials
- sell more kitchens, vanities, wall and closet systems
How does it work?
Manufacturers who are interested in testing their products must submit test samples to an independent testing body designated by the CKCA. The criteria for submission and conditioning of samples can be found in the CKCA Certification Program Guidelines.
Send in a completed CKCA Certification Testing Program Registration Form along with the required payment (see chart below) to the CKCA office. An acknowledgement will be sent that the application and payment have been received. At that time, sample cabinets and doors may be shipped to:
Exova
2395 Speakman Drive
Mississauga, Ontario, L5K 1B3
Tel.: 905-822-4111, Fax: 905-823-1446
Please ensure that all packages are tagged Attention: Daniel Chira.
Once the samples have been tested against the CKCA Standard, the independent testing body will submit the results to the CKCA Certification Program Office, along with an objective recommendation on whether the test samples conform to the all the requirements of the standard. The CKCA will award certification based on the resulting report and recommendations. Annual re-certification is required to maintain certification status.
Who can Certify?
The CKCA certification testing program is available to active manufacturer members of the Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association. Find out how to become a CKCA member.
What does it cost?
Total costs for initial testing and certification is $1,950* (plus applicable taxes) for each product line that a manufacturer wishes to have tested.
Item |
Cost |
Full Battery of Tests and Verification |
$ 1,750* |
Administration Fee |
$ 200* |
Annual Re-Certification Fee |
$ 100 |
Other Items |
|
Additional Testing – Each set of 2 Cabinet doors |
$ 200 |
Appeals |
$ 100 |
Additional Re-Testing Due to Failure |
$ TBD |
Additional Re-Testing or Deficiencies Administration Fee |
$ 50 |
All shipping costs to the testing agencies will be the responsibility of the manufacturer. Supporting Documentation must be submitted for each product line that member manufacturers wish to have tested.
For further details, contact:
Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association
c/o CKCA Certification Testing Program
1485 Laperriere Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1Z 7S8
Tel: 613-567-9171
Fax: 613-729-6206
info@ckca.ca
|
CKCA Certification Brochure