Background Information

Solid Surface Performance Standard Chronology

• The ICPA Research & Development Committee designates a subcommittee to develop a solid surface standard.

December 1994

• ICPA forms a Solid Surface Section to promote quality solid surface products, and dedicated to setting standards for quality among manufacturers, fabricators and installers.

January 1995

• The ICPA Solid Surface Section conducts the first organizational meeting with 50 members in attendance. The section members develop ideas for articles and educational sessions. Members of the new section include technical representatives of national brand manufacturers, regional manufacturers and suppliers of materials and equipment to the industry.

March 1997

• ICPA issues Performance Standard for Solid Surface Materials, ICPA SS-1-1997. The new standard is the result of nearly five years of work by the major national brand manufacturers, suppliers of materials and other industry leaders. The purpose of the standard is to establish a common definition and performance criteria for solid surface materials. With release, ICPA announces plans to seek development of a new national standard.

July/August 1997

• SolidSurface magazine profiles “ICPA-SS-1-1997, Performance Standard for Solid Surface Materials.” The magazine reports on ICPA’s plan to use the standard as the foundation for a new national standard through ANSI procedures.

May 1998

• ICPA petitions ANSI to become an accredited standards developer.

December 1998

• ICPA is approved by ANSI as an accredited standards developer. ICPA begins development of a national standard for solid surface using the ANSI Canvass Method.

March 1999

• ICPA circulates draft standard for review/comment to Canvass Group.

April 1999

• ICPA Board of Directors meets with ISSFA Executive Director and President to provide briefing on new standard development process.

June 1999

• Comment period closes on draft standard.

August/September 1999

• ICPA distributes compilation of comments on draft standard to Canvass Group. ICPA convenes meeting of Canvass Group and develops revisions to draft standard.

March, June 2000

• ICPA convenes meetings of Canvass Group to develop final revisions to draft standard.

August 2000

• ICPA distributes Recirculation Letter Ballot on Performance Standard for Solid Surface Materials.

October 2000

• Comment period ends on Recirculation Letter Ballot.

January 2001

• ANSI announces in Standards Action the proposed new Performance Standard for Solid Surface Materials is available for public inspection and comment.

February 2001

• Comment period ends for ANSI public inspection review.

March 2001

• ICPA submits final report and recommendation for adoption of new Performance Standard for Solid Surface Materials as national consensus standard by ANSI.

April 2001

• The ANSI Board of Standards Review announces approval of Performance Standard for Solid Surface Materials as the national consensus standard.

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