The Auto Glass Safety Council™ (AGSC) was founded in the late 1990s when installation professionals together with windshield manufacturers, car makers, adhesive companies and auto glass retailers came together with the goal of defining auto glass safety. This group began the process of establishing a safety standard for the auto glass industry.
By 1999, AGSC had developed the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standard™ (AGRSS) in partnership with the American National Standards Institute. Since that time, many safety conscious auto-glass retailers have voluntarily agreed to follow the AGRSS Standard, giving the consumer an increased level of safety. The AGSC has provided the necessary standard for auto glass retailers to follow to make sure all precautions are taken to ensure driver and passenger safety.
Prior to the formation of the AGSC, the auto glass replacement industry had no standard for windshield installation. There was no consensus in the industry regarding proper installation methods. Unfortunately, this resulted in lives lost and serious injuries that could have been prevented. The lack of responsibility for providing a proper windshield replacement has also exposed many auto glass shops and their insurance providers to legal actions from unsuspecting automobile passengers who thought their glass replacement was performed correctly and safely.
The AGRSS Standard was updated in 2002, 2015 and again in 2018 and is continuously monitored by the Council.
The AGRSS Standard addresses six critical areas relative to the installation process, including:
- Vehicle assessment;
- Selection of glass and retention systems;
- Installation standards for adhesive bonded glass;
- Installation standards for rubber gasket set glass, as well as additional requirements for all other glass in a vehicle;
- Continuing education for auto glass technicians; and
- Consumer interaction
In an effort to increase consumer safety further, the AGSC added an additional requirement of its members in 2009. Every AGSC Registered Member company is required to undergo an extensive, onsite audit performed by an independent third-party auditor. These audits are conducted on a regular basis and validate the commitment of each Member to follow the AGRSS Standard.
In addition, the AGSC is also the developer and administrator of the industry-wide technician certification and testing program through which technicians can be recognized as Accredited and Certified Auto Glass Technicians and Accredited Master Auto Glass Technicians by completing an online exam through which they demonstrate their expertise in safe auto glass installation.
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