# Third-party Certification Agency: Building Code Definition

> How the IPC 2009 define third-party certification agency, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.

- Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/third-party-certification-agency/
- Last updated: 2026-09-07
- Data source: Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Defined in | IPC 2009 (2009 editions transcribed in this corpus) |
| Primary source | IPC 2009 Definitions (model text, not a jurisdiction's adopted text) |
| Chapters using the term | 3 (counted across the codes hosted here) |
| Wording identical across codes | Single code (compare before citing one code's wording under another) |

## Direct answer

Third-party certification agency is a defined term in the International Plumbing Code (IPC) 2009, in Definitions. The code's own words are: “An approved agency operating a product or material certification sytem that incorporates initial product testing, assessment and surveillance of a manufacturer's quality control system.” No other I-Code in this corpus defines it, so the IPC 2009 definition is the one to work from. The term is used in 3 chapters of this corpus, most often in Definitions (IPC 2009), General Regulations (IPC 2009), General Plumbing Requirements (IRC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted. Record the jurisdiction, the adopted edition, the application date and any local amendment that rewrites the definition before you use it on a live project, because a term redefined by amendment changes every requirement that depends on it.

*Content and cited inputs reviewed by [Scott Barrington](https://nz.linkedin.com/in/barrington), Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.*

## What does this term mean?

**Third-party Certification Agency** — IPC 2009, Definitions:

> An approved agency operating a product or material certification sytem that incorporates initial product testing, assessment and surveillance of a manufacturer's quality control system.

![Labeled code-term definition diagram: Third-party Certification Agency: Building Code Definition](https://efwwel0vyt9vy5so.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/images/glossary/third-party-certification-agency/diagram-1344.webp)

*How the IPC 2009 define third-party certification agency, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.*

## What must be verified before using this guidance?

**Third-party Certification Agency** is defined once in this corpus, in the [Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/new-hampshire/ipc-2009/definitions.md) chapter of the International Plumbing Code (IPC) 2009:

> An approved agency operating a product or material certification sytem that incorporates initial product testing, assessment and surveillance of a manufacturer's quality control system.

## Where third-party certification agency is used in the code

The term appears in 3 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next.

| Chapter | Code | Mentions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/new-hampshire/ipc-2009/definitions.md) | IPC 2009 | 3 |
| [General Regulations](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/new-hampshire/ipc-2009/general-regulations.md) | IPC 2009 | 1 |
| [General Plumbing Requirements](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/general-plumbing-requirements.md) | IRC 2009 | 1 |

### The term in use

How the code actually writes about third-party certification agency, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here:

> When required by Table 303.4, plumbing products and materials shall either be tested by an approved third-party testing agency or certified by an approved third-party certification agency.

— [IPC 2009 §303.4](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/new-hampshire/ipc-2009/general-regulations.md)

> Where required by Table P2608.4, plumbing products and materials shall either be tested by an approvedthird-party testing agency or certified by an approved third-party certification agency.

— [IRC 2009 §P2608.4](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/general-plumbing-requirements.md)


## The terms third-party certification agency is built out of

The definition above leans on 4 other defined terms. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what third-party certification agency covers:

- **[Approved Agency](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/approved-agency.md)** — IBC 2009: An established and recognized agency regularly engaged in conducting tests or furnishing inspection services, when such agency has been approved.
- **[Approved](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/approved.md)** — IBC 2009: Acceptable to the code official or authority having jurisdiction.
- **[Control](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/control.md)** — IRC 2009: A manual or automatic device designed to regulate the gas, air, water or electrical supply to, or operation of, a mechanical system.
- **[System](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/system.md)** — IFC 2009: An assembly of equipment consisting of a tank, container or containers, appurtenances, pumps, compressors and connecting piping.

## Third-party Certification Agency: what to open, and in what order

Every row is a document this term depends on. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) cover the middle rows.

| Check | Where | Confirmed |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Read the definition in the adopted IPC | Definitions | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IPC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | General Regulations (IPC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | General Plumbing Requirements (IRC 2009) | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Approved Agency | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Approved | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Control | |
| Local amendment to any of the above | Jurisdiction's amendment list | |

**A research aid, not a code determination.** The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply.

## Where can you explore related guidance?

- [Explore all glossary guidance](https://harth.build/resources/glossary.md)
- [Approved Agency: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/approved-agency.md)
- [Approved: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/approved.md)
- [Control: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/control.md)
- [System: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/system.md)

## Sources and method

Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.

### Source links

- [codes.iccsafe.org](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes)

- [iccsafe.org](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the code definition of third-party certification agency?

The International Plumbing Code (IPC) 2009 defines it in Definitions as: “An approved agency operating a product or material certification sytem that incorporates initial product testing, assessment and surveillance of a manufacturer's quality control system.” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally.

### Which parts of the code depend on third-party certification agency?

In this corpus the term is used across 3 chapters, led by Definitions in the IPC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own.

### What is a third party inspection certificate?

Inspection Certificate is a separate defined term. The IBC 2009 defines it as: “An identification applied on a product by an approved agency containing the name of the manufacturer, the function and performance characteristics, and the name and identification of an approved agency that indicates that the product or material has been inspected and evaluated by an approved …” That is not the same as third-party certification agency, which the IPC 2009 defines as “An approved agency operating a product or material certification sytem that incorporates initial product testing, assessment and surveillance of a manufacturer's quality control system.” — read both before applying either, and confirm the wording in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted.

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