Why Every Fastener Has a Report Number: Understanding ICC-ES Evaluation Reports

ICC-ES evaluation report basics

An ICC-ES Evaluation Report (commonly called an ESR) is a technical document that confirms a building product meets model codes such as the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC). 

Issued by ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) – a subsidiary of the International Code Council – each report summarizes how a product was tested, reviewed, and approved under an ISO/IEC 17065, which is the global standard for product certification bodies.

For fasteners, the ESR number serves as a permanent link between what was tested, what was approved, and what is installed.

The number connects to a live digital report listing the product’s scope, performance, installation instructions, and identification marks. (ESR)

Code officials rely on ESRs because they condense complex engineering data into one trusted document that supports quick, consistent approvals.

Each report defines:

• Where the fastener can be used
• The allowable design values
• Installation requirements
• Labeling and packaging details

This standardization lets designers, contractors, and inspectors approve and install products confidently using verified data. 

‍

Key Points

• ICC-ES evaluation reports (ESRs) are technical documents that prove building products meet model building codes through independent third-party testing and factory inspections, providing code officials with trusted documentation for quick approvals.
• Fastener report numbers directly link products to their verified properties, load tables, installation requirements, and approved uses - allowing architects, engineers, and inspectors to quickly confirm compliance on-site through digital reports and QR codes.
• ESRs follow a dual-track certification process combining accredited lab testing against specific acceptance criteria (like AC116 for nails, AC233 for threaded fasteners) with ongoing factory quality inspections to ensure consistent manufacturing.
• Load tables in ESRs provide both ASD allowable loads and LRFD design strengths for tension, shear, and withdrawal across different materials and thicknesses, but users must carefully match table assumptions and conditions of use to their specific project requirements.
• ESR certification is an ongoing process with annual renewals and periodic surveillance inspections, making it more valuable than one-off test reports because it provides continuous compliance verification that scales trust as manufacturers grow.

Why fasteners have report numbers

That short ESR number on the box ties each fastener to its verified properties, approved uses, installation instructions, and labeling requirements. It connects field products directly to their tested and certified data.

Architects and engineers use the number to pull the current digital report and confirm the product fits the project’s design scope.

Inspectors can scan the linked QR code to check installation details and conditions of use in minutes.

You’ll see this applied in practice across well-documented systems such as Simpson Strong-Tie, where specifiers routinely reference ESR numbers to streamline selection, ensure compliance, and secure faster approvals.

How an ICC-ES evaluation report proves code compliance

An ICC-ES Evaluation Report (ESR) is the outcome of an independent, third-party certification process that verifies a product’s compliance with model building codes through both testing and quality oversight.

ICC-ES collaborates with applicants – and, when needed, its Evaluation Committee – to identify the correct acceptance criteria (AC) defining how the product must be tested.

The ESR process follows several key phases:

• Testing: Accredited laboratories perform all structural and material tests per the assigned acceptance criteria.
  Documentation review: ICC-ES evaluates the manufacturer’s technical data, calculations, and quality documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Factory inspection: Inspectors confirm that the quality system is documented and operational before a report can be issued.
• Peer review and publication: Once all results are validated, ICC-ES publishes the ESR with defined limits, design values, and installation rules tied to the IBC and IRC (Evaluation Process).

Impartiality is a core safeguard. ICC-ES operates under ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation, which ensures evaluations remain neutral and trusted.

Code officials and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) rely on ESRs because they consolidate all technical evidence into one authoritative, review-ready document.

From Testing to Verified Compliance

After testing, accredited labs compile raw data curves, photos, and calibration records into a technical dossier for ICC-ES reviewers. 

The review process may involve clarifications on fastener sourcing, moisture content, or load variances; timely responses keep evaluations on schedule.

Most programs take 18–24 months from test plan approval to final publication. 

Common delays arise from incomplete documentation, missing traceability records, or postponed factory audits.

To reduce risk and save time:

• Seek ICC-ES pre-approval of your test matrix and boundary conditions.
• Budget for potential re-tests if samples show unexpected deformation.
• Maintain clear, current documentation for all test materials and plant audits.

The reward for proactive management is smoother permitting, faster listing, and fewer approval disputes.

Finally, factory verification closes the loop. Certification programs require periodic audits confirming that production matches tested samples, ensuring the ESR reflects consistent, real-world performance.

Reading an ICC-ES evaluation report

An ICC-ES Evaluation Report (ESR) follows a consistent, standardized format so readers can locate critical information quickly.

Each report typically includes sections such as:

• CSI Division number
• Report holder and evaluation scope
• Properties evaluated and approved uses
• Product description and installation details
• Conditions of use and evidence submitted
• Product identification

Digital ESRs make navigation even easier. They now include internal hyperlinks, external references, and QR codes that let users pull the latest version directly from the field.

For fasteners, two sections matter most during specification and inspection:

• Load tables: provide the calculated tension, shear, and withdrawal values across different materials and thicknesses.
• Conditions of use: outline installation requirements, environmental limits, and notes that govern when and how those numbers apply.

You can see these sections in action by reviewing sample ESRs such as ESR-1679, ESR-1622, and ESR-5422, where load tables and usage notes work together to confirm safe, code-compliant installation.

Fastener acceptance criteria you’ll face

Fastener evaluations reference specific ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria (AC) that define the required tests for each product type.

Key examples include:

• AC116 – Nails
• AC118 – Tapping screws
• AC233 – Threaded fasteners in wood
• AC257 – Corrosion resistance

Knowing which AC applies to your product helps teams prepare accurate test plans, choose the right lab protocols, and anticipate the performance metrics that ICC-ES reviewers will expect.

Application details and realistic timelines

ICC-ES evaluation reports follow a predictable sequence, though timing depends on product scope and completeness of documentation.

Most programs move through four main phases:

1. Application and fees: Initial submission of forms and payment.
2. Product review and scope: ICC-ES confirms the correct Acceptance Criteria (ACs) or develops new ones if necessary 
3. Product evaluation: Accredited lab testing, AC10 quality documentation, and scheduling of the qualifying inspection
4. Report issuance and invoicing: Final publication once data and audits are approved .

Timelines vary with product complexity, whether relevant criteria already exist, and how promptly complete data are submitted.
Common delays come from missing test reports, incomplete quality documentation, or postponed inspections .

Minor product changes don’t always require a full re-evaluation:

• Small adjustments, such as minor geometry or label updates, can often be managed through documentation updates within the existing report.
• Significant design or material changes, however, may trigger new testing and a revised ESR.

Engage your evaluator early to confirm the correct path and avoid unnecessary retesting .

Planning ahead and maintaining open communication with ICC-ES reviewers can prevent costly delays and keep the certification process on schedule.

‍

Testing, inspections, and AC10 quality

Every ICC-ES Evaluation Report relies on two parallel tracks of verification that meet at certification:

• Laboratory testing confirms that the product meets all required performance standards under the relevant Acceptance Criteria (ACs).
• Factory inspections verify ongoing compliance with AC10, the quality system standard that governs documentation, materials, and manufacturing consistency .

Follow-up surveillance inspections – typically annual or biannual – sustain ESR validity by ensuring production continues to match the tested product.

Together, AC10 and recurring surveillance form the quality backbone that keeps every report credible over time .

Marking and identification on fasteners

Products covered by an ESR must be clearly identifiable so inspectors can confirm compliance on site.

Labeling requirements typically include:

• Report holder’s name
• Product name
• ESR number

If the ICC-ES conformity mark is used, it must appear only on products that match a current, valid report.

For fasteners, packaging should display the fastener type and part number, while the fastener itself may include embossed marks when size and manufacturing processes allow .

Prefabricated components covered by ESRs are often serialized, allowing each unit to trace back to specific plant inspection records.

Clear, consistent labeling ensures that approved products are installed correctly, prevents mix-ups in the field, and maintains traceability throughout the project lifecycle.

Load tables and design values

ESR load tables provide both:

• Allowable Stress Design (ASD)
• Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)

These values cover tension, shear, and withdrawal, each tied to specific base materials and thicknesses .

When using ESR data, always match the table assumptions to your project conditions:

• Verify base thickness, edge and spacing limits, and fastener type.
• Review installation notes carefully.
• Confirm conditions of use, which may adjust values for certain environments or applications.

Accurate use of load tables ensures designs remain both code-compliant and true to tested performance, reducing risk during approval and inspection.

Regional supplements to expand access

Regional supplements are optional add-ons to a primary ESR that address state or local code provisions – such as those for the Florida Building Code, Los Angeles, or Chicago.

These supplements may include wind, seismic, or material-specific addenda that local officials require for approval.

By consolidating all documentation into a single, updated package, they streamline acceptance across jurisdictions and reduce the need for separate submittals.

For manufacturers, adding the right regional supplement can significantly expand market access while maintaining consistency in code compliance and documentation.

Renewals and current discounts

ICC-ES Evaluation Reports renew on either an annual or biennial cycle.

Report holders receive notice at least 60 days before the renewal date, and payment is due on or before that deadline.

ICC-ES has announced a renewal pricing freeze through 2026, along with a 7% discount on base fees for two-year renewals, helping manufacturers plan costs with more predictability .

Applications that remain under consideration for more than three years without issuance of a report may face added fees or closure, though revisions to issued reports can be requested at any time with the proper application .

Multi-year renewals also reduce administrative workload for stable product lines while maintaining the regular surveillance inspections that preserve AHJ confidence .

Continuity of oversight ultimately matters more than a small fee reduction—steady inspection schedules keep your approvals valid and your market access uninterrupted

Independent evaluation vs one-off tests

A single lab test can demonstrate that a product passed once – but certification verifies continued compliance over time.

True certification is independent and ongoing, combining several safeguards that keep approvals credible:

• Standardized testing: verifies performance under established Acceptance Criteria.
• Factory audits: confirm that manufacturing processes remain consistent with tested samples.
• Periodic surveillance: ensures long-term quality and detects any deviations early.

Accredited laboratories strengthen this process by proving their own competence through ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Their results are accurate, reliable, and traceable, providing confidence for decisions that impact safety.

This is why ICC-ES Evaluation Reports carry far more weight with officials than standalone test results.

They combine neutral evaluation with continuous oversight – building scalable trust as manufacturers grow.

‍

Conclusion

ESRs are the shared language of code compliance for fasteners. They unite design, inspection, and installation under verified performance and continuous quality oversight – helping projects move faster and approvals flow more smoothly.

Treat your ESR strategy as part of your go-to-market plan, not paperwork at the end. When testing, inspections, and documentation start early, approvals come easier, and adoption accelerates.

‍