AGA Design Certification Program for Gas Appliances and the AGA "Blue Star" Seal
Some FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What was the AGA Design Certification Program?
For more than 70 years, ending in 1997, AGA conducted a program to certify to a manufacturer that the design of a natural gas product model complied with the appropriate national consensus standards.
What was the AGA “Blue Star” seal or certification mark?
The AGA “Blue Star” seal or certified mark was a small blue star in a double circle affixed by the manufacturer to certain models of natural gas appliances and equipment and indicated that the model design met a defined nationally recognized consensus standards at the time of manufacture (generally the ANS Z21 and Z83 standards).
What happened to the American Gas Association Laboratories and the AGA “Blue Star” Seal?
AGA phased out its appliance testing, certification, research and similar programs over a period of years ending in 1997. The AGA “Blue Star” seal is no longer affixed by manufacturers to products. CSA International expanded its program in the United States to include design certification programs for natural gas and propane appliances.
What is CSA International?
CSA International (CSA) is a well-respected testing and certification agency with laboratories in the U.S. and Canada. CSA International’s Cleveland facility tests and certifies products, and also serves as the secretariat to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards for U.S. gas appliances, equipment and components. CSA International generally tests and certifies natural gas appliances and equipment to ANSI standards.
Which types of authorities recognize CSA International?
AGA understands that the CSA International marks are recognized and accepted in the United States by federal, state and municipal officials. The CSA marks indicate that gas appliances and equipment designs meet minimum defined safety and performance standards, including the appropriate ANSI standard.
How many products currently carry markings from CSA International?
More than one billion in the U.S. and Canada and this number continues to grow.
Where can I see the CSA marks?
They are posted on the website of CSA International: www.csa-international.org/certmarks/
What role does the American Gas Association currently have in testing and design certifying gas appliances?
AGA members are now largely municipal or public local natural gas distribution companies. Most AGA members are not involved with the sale or installation of natural gas appliances and AGA no longer tests or certifies the design of gas appliances. Inquiries about natural gas appliances might be directed to the manufacturer of the equipment or the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (www.gamanet.org/). Inquiries about gas appliance certification might be directed to CSA International at www.csa-international.org or to the following numbers:
CANADA – HEADQUARTERS
certinfo@csa-international.org
Tel: (416) 747-4000 /1 800 463-6727
Fax: (416) 747-4149
178 Rexdale Boulevard
Toronto, Ontario
M9W 1R3
UNITED STATES – TESTING FACILITIES
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