It depends on where the project is and which product it is for, so tell your sourcing agent both before the quotation. FBM Sourcing’s guide says it asks what test reports or certificates you need before sourcing starts, and that the first step in choosing a factory is checking that it holds the test reports or certifications for that specific product, confirmed before the quotation.
This article lists what to send, then takes the six examples in FBM Sourcing’s client guide (NFRC, Florida approvals, AS 2047, cUPC, WaterMark and UL) and sets out what each scheme’s own publisher says it is, with a link to the page. It does not say which of them your project needs: that depends on your market, the product and the authority that approves the work. For what a factory’s own test report can and cannot prove, see factory test reports versus accredited lab testing.
What to Send Before the Quotation
The client guide asks for four things when you start:
- Drawings, for example window drawings with a requirement list, railing drawings with a list, or a sanitary schedule with specifications and reference links
- A product list or BOQ with quantities
- Reference photos, links or a finish schedule
- Where your project is, so that FBM Sourcing checks the certifications your market requires
The fourth item is the one that settles the certificate question. The guide’s own examples differ by market: for aluminium windows and doors it names NFRC in the US, Florida hurricane approvals for hurricane zones, and AS 2047 in Australia. How to put the first three items together is covered in how to send a BOQ or drawings to a China sourcing agent.
Our suggestion, not a requirement of the guide: if your specification, tender documents or the authority approving the work already names a standard or a certificate, send that wording with the drawings, including the edition or version.
The Six Examples in the Client Guide at a Glance
The table sets each example from the guide beside what the publisher of the scheme says on its own page. The sections below give the detail and the source for each row.
| Product | Market in the guide | Named in the guide | What the publisher’s page says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium windows and doors | United States | NFRC | NFRC describes itself as the nonprofit certification body for the energy performance of windows, doors and skylights. |
| Aluminium windows and doors | Florida hurricane zones | Florida hurricane approvals | Section 553.842 of the Florida Statutes sets up a statewide product evaluation and approval system that works with the Florida Building Code. |
| Aluminium windows and doors | Australia | AS 2047 | Standards Australia lists AS 2047-2014, Windows and external glazed doors in buildings. |
| Sanitary ware | North America | cUPC | IAPMO R&T says products with the cUPC mark comply with applicable American and Canadian codes and standards. |
| Sanitary ware | Australia | WaterMark | The Australian Building Codes Board says the NCC requires WaterMark certification for plumbing and drainage products of a type on the WaterMark Schedule of Products. |
| Fire-rated steel and wood doors; solar systems | US-code markets | UL | For fire doors, UL Solutions names UL 10B and UL 10C among the tests used to certify fire doors in North America and Europe. |
Windows and Doors: NFRC, Florida Approvals and AS 2047
NFRC in the United States
NFRC’s website describes the NFRC label as giving energy performance ratings in several categories: U-Factor, Visible Transmittance, Condensation Resistance, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient and Air Leakage. For commercial buildings it describes Label Certificates as project-specific, carrying the project’s address and contact information together with the certified ratings. It also publishes a Certified Products Directory. Evidence to request: for a commercial building, the label certificate described above, and the matching entry in the directory. The ratings themselves are explained in NFRC ratings and U-factor for US window projects.
Florida product approval
Section 553.842 of the Florida Statutes directs the Florida Building Commission to develop and implement a statewide product evaluation and approval system that operates in coordination with the Florida Building Code. It names categories that the commission must approve by one of the listed methods: panel walls, exterior doors, roofing, skylights, windows, shutters, impact protective systems and structural components as set by rule. The listed methods include a certification mark or listing of an approved certification agency, a test report from an approved testing laboratory, a product evaluation report from an approved product evaluation entity, and a report signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed professional engineer or architect.
The same section says a product may not be advertised, sold, offered or marketed as hurricane, windstorm or impact protection from wind-borne debris unless it is approved under that section or section 553.8425. The statute text read here is the version on the Florida Legislature’s website on 6 November 2026, whose history line ends at chapter 2021-201. The Florida Building Commission’s Product Approval site has a “Find a Product or Application” search. Evidence to request: the approval for the exact product and the conditions of use it is approved for. Miami-Dade and the wider Florida picture are covered in Miami-Dade NOA and Florida Product Approval for Chinese impact windows.
AS 2047 in Australia
The Standards Australia store lists AS 2047-2014, Windows and external glazed doors in buildings, published 23 September 2014. Its synopsis: the standard sets out requirements for materials, construction, installation and glazing for external windows, sliding and swinging glazed doors, including French and bi-fold doors, adjustable louvres, shopfronts and window walls with one-piece framing elements. On 6 November 2026 the store page shows the latest version as AS 2047:2014 Amd 2:2017, with the status “Pending Revision”. Evidence to request: a test report that states the standard and the edition it was issued against. The wider test and certification picture is in whether windows from China meet AS 2047.
Sourcing this for a commercial project?
FBM Sourcing manages the entire China procurement package for overseas construction projects. We work with Developers · General Contractors · Builders · Commercial Project Owners · Interior Design & Construction Companies · FF&E Solution Providers. Send your BOQ, drawings or product schedule for review.
Sanitary Ware: cUPC and WaterMark
cUPC in North America
IAPMO R&T’s Canadian certification FAQ says products listed to Canadian requirements carry a “c” identifier at 8 o’clock of the mark of conformity, for example cUPC or cIAPMO R&T. It states the difference between the marks: a product with the UPC mark complies with applicable American codes and standards; a product with the cUPC mark complies with applicable American and Canadian codes and standards; a product with the cIAPMO R&T mark complies with applicable Canadian standards only. IAPMO publishes listing directories, including one for R&T. Evidence to request: the listing entry for the exact product, and which of the three marks it carries.
WaterMark in Australia
The Australian Building Codes Board’s WaterMark page says the NCC requires any plumbing or drainage product of a type listed on the WaterMark Schedule of Products to be WaterMark certified before it can be installed, and installed by a licensed plumbing practitioner. For a listed product to be installed in Australia, it says the product must be WaterMark certified, marked with the WaterMark trade mark, licence number and applicable product specification, listed on the WaterMark product database, and provided with a Scope of Use statement specifying its intended use.
The same page says it is legal to sell non-certified plumbing and drainage products in Australia, but a licensed plumber is not permitted to install a product of a listed type that is not certified. The product database can be searched by licence number, by product type, brand name, model name or model ID, or by licensee name; if the product cannot be found, the page says to request the certification information from the supplier before buying. Evidence to request: the licence number, the product specification and the Scope of Use statement, then check them in the database.
Fire-Rated Doors and Solar Systems: UL
UL Solutions’ page on fire door tests gives an overview of the common fire door tests used to certify fire doors across North America and Europe, naming UL 10B (Standard for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies), UL 10C (Standard for Positive Pressure Fire Tests of Door Assemblies), CAN/ULC S104 (Standard Method for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies) and EN 1634. UL’s site also lists a database called Product iQ for searching UL-certified products. Evidence to request: the certification record for the exact door assembly, and the test standard it was certified to.
The client guide also names UL for solar systems. This article does not go into solar systems, because the official page for them was not read.
What These Pages Do Not Tell You
- They describe each scheme. They do not say whether a particular factory’s product holds it; the guide’s wording is a certificate or report “for that specific product”, confirmed before the quotation.
- They do not say which scheme your project needs. That depends on your market, the product and the authority that approves the work, which is why the project location goes first on the list above.
- Editions, approvals and statuses change. Every fact above is as read on the linked page on 6 November 2026.
- For how markets compare on windows and doors, see window and door export certifications by market.
Questions About Certificates and Test Reports Before a Quotation
Which test reports and certificates does my project need?
It depends on your market, the product and the authority that approves the work. FBM Sourcing’s client guide gives examples by product and market: NFRC, Florida hurricane approvals and AS 2047 for aluminium windows and doors; cUPC and WaterMark for sanitary ware; UL for fire-rated steel and wood doors and for solar systems. Send the project location with your drawings and BOQ so the right ones are checked.
Does FBM Sourcing check certificates before quoting?
According to its guide, yes. The first step in choosing a factory is checking that it holds the test reports or certifications for that specific product, confirmed before the quotation, and before sourcing starts it asks what test reports or certificates you need.
Is an NFRC rating the same as a Florida hurricane approval?
On the sources above they are different things. NFRC’s page describes energy performance ratings for windows, doors and skylights. Section 553.842 of the Florida Statutes sets up Florida’s product approval system, including the rule on marketing a product as hurricane, windstorm or impact protection.
How do I check a WaterMark claim?
The Australian Building Codes Board says to search the WaterMark product database by licence number, by product type, brand name, model name or model ID, or by licensee name. If the product is not there, it says to request the certification information from the supplier before buying.
What does the “c” in cUPC mean?
IAPMO R&T says the “c” is the Canadian identifier, shown at 8 o’clock of the mark. A UPC mark covers applicable American codes and standards; a cUPC mark covers applicable American and Canadian codes and standards.
How does FBM Sourcing charge for this?
For suppliers you nominate, we charge a 5% commission; for products we source for you, we quote a direct price. Our own team performs one inspection after bulk production is complete and before shipment, and the client’s project team is welcome to attend.
FBM Sourcing manages the entire China procurement package for overseas construction projects. We work with Developers · General Contractors · Builders · Commercial Project Owners · Interior Design & Construction Companies · FF&E Solution Providers.
