Cincinnati, Ohio — IAPMO’s Systems Certification Body (SCB) has issued the first certificates under the Aluminum Anodizers Council (AAC) Certification Program, providing independent third-party verification of conformity with established performance requirements for anodized aluminum finishes and products.
The certificates were presented Wednesday during the AAC’s 35th annual Anodizing Conference & Exposition at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati.
“Issuing the first certificates is the culmination of a rigorous process designed to ensure certification decisions are based on objective evidence and established performance requirements,” said Shirley Dewi, executive vice president of IAPMO SCB. “SCB is pleased to bring its auditing and certification expertise to the program and support the AAC in establishing a credible certification process for the anodizing industry.”
The AAC Certification Program provides independent third-party assurance that an anodizing facility has demonstrated conformity with IAPMO 428-2026, Performance Requirements for Anodized Aluminum Finishes and Products. The program gives manufacturers, OEMs, specifiers and purchasers a consistent way to identify facilities whose finished anodized products have been evaluated against defined technical requirements and acceptance criteria.
SCB and the AAC entered into an agreement Sept. 18, 2025, under which SCB provides expert guidance and input on the development of the program’s auditing and quality management systems and administers the certification scheme and related supporting services.
“The first AAC certifications represent an important step forward for our industry,” AAC President Jason Weber said. “AAC and SCB developed this program to establish a meaningful, independently verified benchmark for anodizing quality and performance. For certified anodizers, it provides an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to excellence. For manufacturers, specifiers and purchasers, it provides greater confidence in the capabilities of the anodizing facilities they select. We are proud to see the first certifications awarded and look forward to building on this milestone.”
The program supports conventional sulfuric anodizing, hard anodizing, batch anodizing and continuous coil anodizing. Application segments include architectural, building and construction; transportation, including aerospace and defense; industrial manufacturing; and decorative and functional applications.
Performance areas evaluated under the program include oxide thickness and density, corrosion and abrasion resistance, UV and heat stability, hardness, seal quality and color.
Certification follows a controlled, evidence-based process that includes an independent audit, corrective action where necessary, technical review and an independent certification decision. Certification is maintained through annual audits, continued conformity and fulfillment of program obligations.
IAPMO 428-2026 establishes requirements for anodized aluminum products across architectural, transportation and industrial applications. It addresses batch and coil anodizing and provides test methods and acceptance criteria for functional and decorative finishes.
The program requirements are available free of charge to interested manufacturers through IAPMO Standards.
The AAC Certification Program is designed to provide greater supplier confidence and clearer purchasing expectations while allowing certified facilities to demonstrate a commitment to controlled, independently evaluated performance.
Photos are available upon request by emailing media@iapmo.org.
ABOUT SCB
SCB is the management systems certification unit of IAPMO and an ANAB-accredited third-party certification body. SCB provides certification services for quality, safety, environmental, supply chain, IT and cybersecurity management systems, helping organizations of all sizes maintain safe and compliant operations. SCB has issued thousands of certificates to organizations in the aerospace, medical device, manufacturing, government and service sectors. SCB may be reached at info@iapmoscb.org, by phone at (909) 390-4065, or online at iapmoscb.org.
ABOUT AAC
The Aluminum Anodizers Council (AAC) is the international trade association of firms engaged in aluminum anodizing and whose mission it is to support members and users of anodized aluminum through education, advocacy and promotion. AAC is a progressive and influential industry force, a reputation proudly earned through years of dedication, commitment, and involvement by its members. Members gain exposure to non-members and potential customers through the AAC brand. AAC may be reached at mail@anodizing.org, by phone at (847) 526-2010, or online at anodizing.org.
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