AS2047 compliance for Chinese windows: what Australian builders need to verify
22 May 2025 · 6 min read
What is AS2047?
AS2047 is the Australian Standard for Windows in Buildings. It covers the performance requirements for windows installed in habitable spaces in residential and commercial construction.
It's a performance standard, not a manufacturing standard. It specifies what a window must be able to do (resist structural load, keep out water, allow safe egress) rather than how it must be made. This means a Chinese-made window can comply with AS2047 if it has been tested and meets the performance criteria. It doesn't need to be made in Australia.
What AS2047 actually requires
The standard covers three main performance areas:
Structural performance The window must withstand the design wind pressure without permanent deformation or failure. Windows are classified into performance groups (P1–P6) based on the wind load they can resist. The correct group for your project depends on the wind zone (AS4055), with coastal and elevated sites requiring higher-rated windows.
Water penetration resistance The window must prevent water ingress at a specified test pressure. This is typically the first point of failure for lower-quality windows. Inadequate drainage channels, poor gasket seating, or insufficient glazing bead retention allow water in under driving rain.
Thermal performance AS2047 includes thermal performance requirements that feed into NCC energy efficiency calculations. U-values and Solar Heat Gain Coefficients are required for NCC Section J compliance.
Does a Chinese window automatically fail AS2047?
No, and this is the most common misconception.
AS2047 compliance depends on testing, not origin. A window made in China by a factory that has invested in NATA-accredited testing, with documented structural and water test results, can fully comply with AS2047. Many do.
The issue is verification. Not all factories have done this testing, and some factories will claim compliance they can't substantiate.
What documentation to ask for
Before ordering any window for a habitable room installation in Australia:
1. Test reports to AS2047 These should be from a NATA-accredited laboratory (or equivalent accredited body). The test report should specify:
- The product series being tested
- The specific performance classification achieved
- The test date (standards and testing labs get updated; look for currency)
2. Wind load performance classification Confirm the window achieves the performance group required for your site's wind zone. Don't accept a generic "complies with AS2047" statement. Ask for the performance class.
3. Safety glazing compliance (AS1288) Glazed areas in high-risk locations (low-level glazing, adjacent to doors, in bathrooms) require safety glazing to AS1288. Confirm the glazing specification includes laminated or toughened safety glass where required.
4. Energy performance data U-value and SHGC for NCC Section J. Some certifiers will accept factory data; others require WERS (Window Energy Rating Scheme) ratings. Clarify with your certifier before ordering.
The factory selection shortcut
Rather than working through documentation retrospectively, start by asking: "Has this factory supplied windows to Australian residential projects before, and can they provide references and documentation?"
Factories with an established Australian export track record have already navigated this process. They have the documentation, they know what certifiers ask for, and they've addressed any issues in previous shipments.
New-to-Australia factories, even good ones, are navigating this for the first time on your project, with your timeline and your money.
What certifiers actually accept
In practice, certifiers in Australia take varying approaches to imported windows:
- Some will accept NATA-accredited test reports at face value
- Some require the product to be listed on a certified product register (e.g., WindowsMAKE)
- Some require a structural engineer to verify compliance for the specific installation
The safest approach: contact your certifier early (before ordering), tell them you're importing windows, and ask what they'll need to sign off. Get this in writing. Then source documentation accordingly.
We've navigated this with multiple certifiers across Australian states and can tell you what's typically required in your jurisdiction.
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