Standards Development

APA has a long and extensive history in building codes and standards development activities. It serves as the secretariat for the standing committees of U.S. Product Standard PS 1 for Structural Plywood, the consensus softwood plywood standard, and Voluntary Product Standard PS 2, the U.S. harmonized performance standard developed under the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement. APA has developed performance standards over the years for numerous products, including plywood siding, wood structural panel sheathing, structural glued laminated timber (glulam), wood I-joists, rim board, and cross-laminated timber. APA issues APA Product Reports designed to help manufacturers expedite market entry of their products.

APA Accreditations

APA is accredited by the following state, national or international organizations:

American National Standards Institute (ANSI), as a Standards Developer for development, publication, and promulgation of American National Standards
Standards Council of Canada (SCC), as an accredited Certification Body (ASB SOA 10012) in accordance with ISO/IEC 17065, SCC Requirements and Guidance – Product, Process, and Service Certification Body Accreditation Process
International Accreditation Service (IAS), as an accredited Inspection Agency (AA-649) in accordance with ISO 17020
International Accreditation Service (IAS), as an accredited Testing Laboratory (TL-215) in accordance with ISO 17025
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), as a Product Certification Agency (CER2512)
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), as a Product Testing Laboratory (TST2513)
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), as a Product Quality Assurance Entity (QUA2521)
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), as a Product Validation Entity (VAL3120)
City of Los Angeles, as a Compliance Assurance and Testing Agency (No. 22192)
Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), as a Registered Overseas Certification Body (ROCB), Registration No. 6

ANSI Standards Development

As a national standards developer accredited by ANSI, APA has published or is in the process of developing the following national consensus standards.

Click on a standard to learn more:

APA Activates ANSI A190.1 Committee

May 2021—As an American National Standards developer accredited by American National Standards Institute (ANSI), APA is activating APA Standards Committees for the revision of ANSI A190.1, Standard for Wood Products — Structural Glued Laminated Timber. ANSI A190.1 has been adopted by the International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) in the U.S. for many years. The APA standards committees are operated under the consensus process approved by ANSI, which requires transparent, openness and balanced interest. The committee membership is open to all interested parties under the categories of manufacturer, supplier, user and general interest. Those interested in joining the APA standards committee should contact BJ Yeh by June 30, 2021.

Operating Procedures for Standards Development

Read the operating procedures for development of APA consensus standards.

Procedures for Development of PS 1 and PS 2 Voluntary Standards

Read the Department of Commerce procedure for the development of Voluntary Product Standards related to PS 1 and PS 2.

Contact Help Desk

The APA Product Support Help Desk is a free service available to answer your questions pertaining to the specification and application of engineered wood products and systems.