Marketplace confusion, installation problems, and even liability concerns can result when entities misrepresent non-porcelain tile in the marketplace.
To address these issues that can result from mislabeled products, the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) launched the Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) to certify porcelain tile.
What is Porcelain Tile?
Standards define porcelain tile as an impervious tile with a water absorption of 0.5% or less, as measured by the ASTM C373 test method. However, there are many instances in which entities advertise and sell tile not meeting this standard as porcelain tile.
Under the PTCA certification program, manufacturers who want to prove that their tile is porcelain — meeting the 0.5% water absorption criteria — can have independent testing of their products to determine compliance with that requirement. Then, they may use the PTCA certification mark on their product packaging, marketing materials, and more as confirmation of that compliance.
Benefits of Porcelain Certification
The Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) provides a means for manufacturers and distributors to prove their products comply with the criteria for porcelain tile. Certfication is important because it provides: `
Credibility & Trust – Certification provides independent verification that products meet the rigorous water absorption requirement, removing doubt in the marketplace.
Market Differentiation – With some entities misrepresenting non-porcelain as porcelain, PTCA certification helps legitimate products stand out and be easily recognized.
Sales Advantage – Distributors and retailers can promote PTCA-certified products with confidence, offering assurance to customers, specifiers, and end users.
IPA Laboratories is the only PTCA-authorized U.S. lab for porcelain tile certification.