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Windshield Replacements Not Regulated by Auto Glass Associations
By gguild | June 22, 2008
Windshield Replacements Regulators of Safety and Quality
Windshield replacements and repairs are part of an unregulated industry. Surprising? Standards for automobile windshield replacements are not enforced under federal regulations nor do state laws regulate them. When the windshield is one of the most important restraint systems in the vehicle, it seems odd that auto windshield replacements have no standards governing it.
Without a properly mounted, adhered and installed windshield, not even the air bags, which are known to save lives, will work properly. Instead, the windshield replacements and windshield repairs industry is governed only by itself through the important associations and organizations that represent the memberships.
Key Glass Associations
Auto windshield replacement is an exacting, multi-step process that must be properly executed at every step in the process or the windshield could fail in a collision. The foremost glass association that trains and certifies technicians who perform all vehicle windshield replacements is the National Glass Association, or NGA. Founded over sixty years ago, NGA is now the largest trade association representing automotive and architectural glass products and installations.
How the National Glass Association (NGA) helps
The National Glass Association (NGA) is the storehouse of information regarding all aspects of windshield and safety glass installation provided to all glaziers and consumers. One of the major goals of the NGA in to assure safety for the passengers of automobiles, trucks and other vehicles. NGA is to a resource both to the technicians who install windshield glass and to consumers. The NGA publishes information regarding issues, techniques, trends and advances in auto glass installation, safety, and security. About five years ago, NGA also created an organization called the Coalition for Auto Glass Safety and Public Awareness (CASPA). CASPA was organized to help fill a void in consumer understanding about the critical safety issues involved in auto glass as a modern safety restraint system for all automotive vehicles. CASPA, with the sponsorship of NGA, helps consumers locate quality auto glass replacement technicians among the many, many aftermarket auto windshield replacements outlets.
Windshield replacements and quality technicians
When looking for a windshield replacement installer, look for the National Glass Association (NGA) logo. The NGA logo is nationally recognized and serves as your guide to a windshield replacement business that is committed to doing the best job possible. A properly installed windshield assures the integrity of one of the most important vehicle restraint systems in your car—the windshield.
NGA also certifies auto windshield replacement technicians. Actually, there are two levels of certification for glass replacement technicians: the Level 1 Certified Auto Glass Technician (CAGT) requires at least six months’ experience at an NGA approved facility, and the Level 2 Certified Master Auto Glass Technician (CMAGT) requires that the technician have at least three years’ experience and has previously certified and is a holder of CGAT certification. Noticing this important detail guarantees the consumer that the business will do the best job possible, guaranteeing that the windshield is leak free, fault free, adheres strongly, and stays in place during an accident.
Other Glass Associations
Another association, the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) serves as a nationally and internationally recognized organization providing reliable information on the industry. Focused primarily on keeping its membership informed on issues and advancements, NWRA provides newsletters and subscriptions to the industry on materials and technology pertinent to auto windshield repair as well as replacement of all safety automotive glass of all types.
A guarantee is only as good as the guarantor
The primary governing body supervising correct windshield replacements and repairs is the auto glass industry itself. NGA is the foremost organization representing business in auto windshield replacements and repairs. NGA supports the business and protects the consumer by certifying technicians and providing them with the most up-to-date information on materials and techniques. All consumers should be informed enough to know that seeking out those windshield repair facilities that have membership in the NGA (and other professional organizations) as well as employ NGA-certified technicians is the best way to protect themselves from second rate and substandard materials and practices. Without that assurance, the lives of drivers and passengers alike are at greater risk from windshield failure—causing the overall failure of a vehicle’s safety restraint systems.
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