ANSI/HPVA HP-1
Hardwood plywood Certification Program
What is HP-1?
The ANSI/HPVA HP-1-2024 standard is the only American National Standard for decorative and hardwood plywood. HP-1 establishes nationally recognized marketing classifications, quality criteria, test methods, and definitions for plywood produced primarily from hardwoods. With performance requirements like glue bond performance, moisture content, panel dimension tolerances, formaldehyde emissions limits, and veneer grade specifications, ANSI/HPVA HP-1 is the crown jewel of the hardwood plywood industry's efforts to establish a rigorous but achievable standard for their products.
Why Certify?
Independent Verification
Capital Testing's hardwood plywood certification program provides independent, accredited proof that your hardwood plywood panels comply with the rigorous requirements of this standard. By establishing a quality control system and allowing Capital Testing to evaluate your product's glue bond performance, moisture content, dimensional tolerances, and other metrics against HP-1 specifications, you and your customers can have full confidence in the quality and legality of your products.
product differentiation
Differentiate the quality of your plywood from that of uncertified imports and other competitors.
ReduceD risk and improveD consistency
A common result of third party certification: improved production consistency and reduced claims!
ProveN compliance
HP-1 is referenced in a range of federal regulations, product standards, and green building codes (see table below). Third-party certification is the most full-proof way to demonstrate your products comply with these requirements.
The Certification Process
The certification process is simple. It begins with a discussion to determine the program's scope (e.g. number of product constructions, number of facilities, etc.). Once the scope is set, your facility will establish a quality control manual which outlines how they control production parameters, sourcing procedures, product labeling, and other factors to ensure their products meet HP-1's performance criteria. Once approved, Capital Testing arranges the initial on-site inspection of the facility. During the inspection, samples are selected for third-party qualification testing back at Capital Testing's laboratory. If the qualification test results pass and all non-conformances from the inspection are resolved, the facility receives their certification certificate and authorization to use our certification mark! On-going certification then requires an annual on-site inspection and semi-annual product testing to verify continued compliance.
REGULATIONS and STANDARDS referencing hp-1
2024 International Building code (IBC)
Part 2303.3 Hardwood and plywood
The IBC establishes minimum requirements for building systems using prescriptive and performance-related provisions. While not an enforceable code itself, it is typically adopted in the U.S. at the state and local levels "as written" unless there are locality-specific revisions needed. From a practical standpoint, the IBC's contents often become the rule-of-law when it comes to building requirements in the U.S.
Chapter 23 of the IBC governs minimum requirements for the design of buildings and structures that use wood and wood-based products. Part 2303.3 specifically covers hardwood and decorative plywood, and simply states:
"Hardwood and decorative plywood shall be manufactured and identifies as required in HPVA HP-1."
2024 international residential code (IRC)
PART R702.5
Other Finishes
The IRC is similar to the IBC, but establishes minimum requirements for one- and two-family dwellings instead. Chapter 7 Wall Coverings establishes teh various types of materials permitted as wall coverings. Part R702.5 includes the the following statement regarding the use of wood veneer paneling (hardwood plywood wall panels):
"Wood veneer paneling not less than 1/4" nominal thickness shall conform to ANSI/HPVA HP-1."
Architecutral Woodworking institute (AWI) Standards
The AWI standards establish a roadmap that helps woodworking firms achieve and demonstrate excellence in architectural woodwork. Their standards for materials (AWI 300), countertops, and architectural wood casework all reference HP-1 for quality and visual grade compliance.
U.S. Department of housing and urban development (HUD)
24 CFR 3280
Part 3280.304
The HUD 24 CFR 3280 regulation establishes the federal building code for design, construction, strength, durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency, and quality of manufactured homes built in the U.S.
Part 3280.304 references the HP-1 standard as the default standard for hardwood plywood used in manufactured home construction.
Section 12370 of the HUD guide specifications for residential cabinets
ICC/ASHRAE 700 National Green Building standard (NGBS)
Section 901.4 Wood materials
The NGBS is a voluntary green building standard for residential construction which provides a rating system for green residential buildings (similar to LEED, but focused on homes).
Section 901.4 Wood Materials states that using hardwood plywood produced in accordance with HP-1 grants the builder 2 points towards achieving the desired Indoor Environmental Quality level (i.e. Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Emerald).
Help us help you!
HP-1 certification helps you differentiate your products from the competition, reduce claims, improve production consistency, and easily prove compliance with building codes and product standards. Contact Capital Testing today for a quote!
This program also fits perfectly with our formaldehyde emissions, legal timber due diligence, and flame spread programs. Ask about our multi-program discounts when you reach out!
Did You Know?
ANSI/HPVA HP-1 has deep roots. The standard was first published as a commercial standard for hardwood plywood called CS35-31 by the Commodity Standards Division of the National Bureau of Standards, U.S. Department of Commerce, in April 1931!
