Codes, Standards &
Conformity Assessment
GP Russ Chaney
CEO, The IAPMO Group
russ.chaney@iapmo.org
Objective
• Provide an overview and the interrelationships of :
Codes and
Regulations
Product
Standards
Conformity
Assessment
• Why it should matter to industry and consumers?
Plumbing Codes & Regulations
• Provide the legal framework for setting
mandatory plumbing product requirements
• Enacted with:
– Various degrees of application
– Various degrees of enforcement responsibility
– Variety of update mechanisms
– Many different schemes in use throughout the
world today...
Plumbing Code – Common Provisions
• Scope (typical) ~ The code shall apply to
the installation, alteration, repair,
relocation, replacement and maintenance
of plumbing systems within the
jurisdiction...
4
Plumbing Code – Common Provisions
• Approval – All products used in the
plumbing system shall conform to the
applicable standards referenced in the
code and approved by the governing
jurisdiction...
5
Codes and
Regulations
Product
Standards
Conformity
Assessment
What is a Plumbing Product Standard?
• An acknowledged measure of comparison
for quantitative or qualitative
characteristics of a product...
• Examples of organizations that develop product
standards...
–
–
–
–
–
–
SA
CSA
IAPMO
BIS
BSI
DIN
Product Standards
• Ensure that products are consistent and safe
• Reduce antitrust and product liability
exposure
• Reduce trade barriers
• Referenced in plumbing codes and building
specifications
• Essential part of product approval process...
Product Standards...
• Voluntary documents unless...
• Mandatory when adopted by government
• Must produce reproducible and repeatable
results
• Must comply with well accepted
engineering standards
• Latest edition used by certifiers/CABs...
Plumbing Industry ANSI
Accredited SDOs
11
Principles
ofofStandards
Cardinal
Principles
the U.S. System
Development Internationally
Due Process
Consensus
Openness
Transparency
Industry
Consumers and
Labor Interests
Trade
Associations
Government
Professional
Societies
Academic
Institutions
Standards
Developers
Other
Stakeholders
Codes and
Regulations
Product
Standards
Conformity
Assessment
What is Conformity Assessment?
A process used to show that a
product, process or system
meets specified requirements
Why is Conformity Assessment
Important?
• Demonstrates compliance to customers and
regulators
• Gives specifiers, customers and end-users
confidence when selecting products
• Allows manufacturers and consumers to
distinguish products from competitors
• Creates a level playing field
• And in many cases, CA is required by law...
Types or Levels of
Conformity Assessment
• First Party Certification:
– Manufacturers self declaration
– Customers frequently rely on this
– Acceptable to regulators in some instances
once authorization has been granted...
Types or Levels of
Conformity Assessment...
• Second Party Certification:
– Product purchaser's declaration of compliance
Types or Levels of
Conformity Assessment...
• Third Party Certification:
– Declaration from authoritative, independent,
and objective party
– ISO Guide 65 (17065) utilized as criteria by
which third-parties are evaluated and
accredited...
Where is Third-Party
Accreditation Required?
• Most plumbing codes require that CABs
– Be third-party accredited
– The CAB must:
•
•
•
•
Perform initial and ongoing testing
Perform periodic inspections & witness audits
Make their listings publically available
Must themselves submit to audits of their
processes
• Renew their accreditations annually...
Third-Party Accreditation in
Accordance with ISO 17065
• Establishes minimum acceptable level of
performance
• Identifies competent product certifiers
• Ensures highest level of confidence of
compliance
• Levels playing field for certifiers and
manufacturers alike...
The Process of Third-Party
Certification of Products?
• Accreditation of third-party agency
• Testing of product
• Examination of test reports, drawings,
calculations, physical dimensions
literature, etc.
• Initial and ongoing audits/inspections
• Certificate of Compliance issuance
• Legal recognition of certification...
Interrelationship
• Each plays a vital role
Codes and
Regulations
Product
Standards
• Effective framework
• Level playing field
• Substantial industry
involvement
Conformity
Assessment
25
Summary
• Codes and Regulations are intended to
protect health and safety
• Standards dictate specific product
performance requirements within the
codes.
• Conformity assessment is a process to
help to ensure the mandates within the
codes, standards and regulations are
met...