IAPMO R&T – Water Systems will be at Booth #606 in Hall 1.2, Aug. 31 - Sept. 2, at Aquatech China, held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. Come visit us to discuss our your testing and certification needs!

This week global standards organizations ASTM International and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) to promote collaboration in initiatives that advance public health and safety. The MOC relates directly to water sanitation and hygiene in Indonesia, the Philippines, and other selected member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASTM International President Katharine Morgan signed the document with IAPMO CEO GP Russ Chaney. Collaboratively advancing the incorporation of IAPMO model codes and ASTM International standards cited in the IAPMO codes in the national technical regulations and related codes of Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as other member nations of ASEAN.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its final regulation on the “Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder and Flux for Drinking Water,” which will directly affect water treatment products, including point-of-entry and point-of-use water treatment products and components, and plumbed in devices such as drinking water coolers. The rule’s goal is to reduce lead in drinking water and assure that states, manufacturers, inspectors and consumers have a common understanding of “lead-free."

The final rule requires manufacturers with 10 or more employees to obtain third-party certification by an ANSI-accredited certification body in order to demonstrate, with some exceptions, that any product intended for providing water for human consumption meets the EPA’s definition of “lead free.” Certification is mandatory for new products.

EPA recognizes NSF/ANSI Standard 372 lead-free certification for products intended for providing water for human consumption. NSF/ANSI 372, Drinking Water System Components – Lead Content, establishes a standardized methodology for the determination and verification of product compliance to minimize lead contaminants.

Any product sold for installation, or use, in a new system where water passing through the device may be consumed must comply with this final rule. Existing products will have three years after the publication of the rule to be evaluated and certified using the NSF/ ANSI 372 lead content methodology; new products must be certified when introduced into commerce.

As an ANSI-accredited certification body, IAPMO R&T can evaluate products per NSF/ANSI Standard 372 and provide nationally recognized certification. With successful completion of that evaluation and certification, manufacturers will be authorized to use IAPMO certification marks to prove that they meet RLDWA.

To view a helpful flyer explaining the new rule, click HERE or the button below.

To read the rule in its entirety and learn more about it, direct your web browser to the following URLs: