The anodizing industry has crossed a new threshold. IAPMO’s Systems Certification Body (SCB) has awarded the first certificates under the Aluminum Anodizers Council (AAC) Certification Program, marking the arrival of independent third-party verification for anodized aluminum finishes and products. The move gives manufacturers, specifiers, and purchasers a much-needed, consistent benchmark for quality.
The certificates were presented Wednesday at the AAC’s 35th annual Anodizing Conference & Exposition, held at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati. Representatives from Aacron Anodizing and Lorin Industries were on hand to receive the credentials, joined by IAPMO SCB’s Shirley Dewi, Michael Madewell, and Brett Pollock.
“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.”
At the heart of the new program is IAPMO 428-2026, the standard titled Performance Requirements for Anodized Aluminum Finishes and Products. Certification under the AAC scheme provides independent third-party assurance that a facility’s output meets those defined technical requirements and acceptance criteria. For OEMs, specifiers, and buyers, it creates a straightforward way to identify facilities whose finished anodized products have been formally evaluated.
The partnership between SCB and the AAC dates to an agreement signed Sept. 18, 2025. Under that arrangement, SCB provides expert guidance on the program’s auditing and quality management systems, while also administering the certification scheme and all related supporting services.
AAC President Jason Weber called the first certifications an important step for the sector. “AAC and SCB developed this program to establish a meaningful, independently verified benchmark for anodizing quality and performance,” Weber said. “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 certification program covers a broad range of processes, including conventional sulfuric anodizing, hard anodizing, batch anodizing, and continuous coil anodizing. Its application segments span architectural, building and construction work; transportation, including aerospace and defense; industrial manufacturing; and decorative and functional uses.
Performance areas evaluated under the program include oxide thickness and density, corrosion and abrasion resistance, UV and heat stability, hardness, seal quality, and color. The certification pathway itself follows a controlled, evidence-based process: an independent audit, corrective action where needed, a technical review, and an independent certification decision. Maintaining certification requires annual audits, continued conformity, and fulfillment of all program obligations.
IAPMO 428-2026 establishes requirements for anodized aluminum products across architectural, transportation, and industrial applications, addressing both batch and coil anodizing. It 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 give suppliers greater confidence and purchasers clearer expectations, while allowing certified facilities to demonstrate a commitment to controlled, independently evaluated performance.
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.
Mike Flenniken
IAPMO
media@iapmo.org
Why it matters: This certification program transforms anodizing from a process judged largely on reputation into one backed by objective, third-party evidence. For specifiers and buyers across aerospace, construction, and manufacturing, it means a clearer path to verifying quality. For the industry itself, it sets a new, verifiable standard for performance and accountability.
