The Auto Glass Safety Council™ (AGSC) was founded in the late 1990s when installation professionals together with windshield manufacturers, car makers, adhesive companies, insurers 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.
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.
By 1999, AGSC had developed the first Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standard™ (AGRSS Standard for short) under the auspices of 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 confidence in the safety of their auto glass installation. 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.
The AGRSS Standard was updated in 2002, 2015, 2018 and again in 2022 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, retention systems, and ADAS recalibration/calibration equipment;
- Installation standards for adhesive bonded glass;
- Installation standards for rubber gasket set glass;
- Additional requirements including requirements for all other glass in a vehicle; and
- Continuing education for auto glass and ADAS recalibration/calibration technicians as well as other company employees.
In an effort to increase consumer safety further, the AGSC developed a random, third-party audit program. Every AGSC Registered Member Company is required to undergo an extensive, onsite audit. These audits are conducted on a regular basis and validate the commitment of each member company to follow the AGRSS Standard.
In 2011, the AGSC began to administer a technician certification program by which comprehensive testing is provided to auto glass technicians. AGSC not only continuously updates the technician certification test but it also provides continuing education and training to technicians throughout the country.
In an effort to harmonize the company registration and technician certification programs and to provide a unified message to consumers and insurance agents, the AGSC membership requires that all auto glass replacement technicians employed by AGSC Registered Member Companies must be AGSC Certified or AGSC Certified Master Technicians.
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