The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) is seeking technical experts to participate on a United States Technical Advisory Group (U.S. TAG) to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Project Committee (PC) 316 for the development of a standard on Water Efficient Products/Banding. As the U.S. TAG administrator, IAPMO seeks TAG members for the following categories:

• Producer
• User
• General Interest

The U.S. TAG will operate in accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Procedures for U.S. Participation in the International Standards Activities of ISO. The development of this ISO standard results from a proposal from Standards Australia to develop an international standard that would work to “encourage the development and marketing of water efficient products, enable consumers to clearly identify and purchase the best products within the industry, and positively influence manufacturing to improve the performance of their products through consumer power and information.”

The scope of ISO/PC 316 will include the establishment of water efficiency flow rates and consumption values along with key performance test requirements for plumbing products and appliances, specifically: showerheads and mixing valves, faucets/taps, flow control devices, toilets (all types), urinals, flushometer valves, dishwashers for domestic use, clothes washers for domestic use, and the dryer function of combination washer/dryers, where water is used to dry washing loads.

Meeting the requirements of the standard will allow manufacturers to apply an internationally recognized label to their products, identifying them as being both high performing and water efficient. The standard will also be designed to work seamlessly with existing national-based consumer labeling programs already in place, such as the U.S. EPA’s WaterSense program, which has been credited with saving trillions of gallons of potable water and billions of dollars for consumers in reduced water utility bills.

The U.S. TAG will work to develop consensus positions from U.S. stakeholders on the provisions of the standard, which will be submitted to ISO by ANSI.

Founded in 1926, IAPMO is a worldwide leader in the promotion of heathy and safe plumbing and mechanical systems. IAPMO has developed industry standards for more than 30 years, with a focus on plumbing products, water efficiency, solar heating systems and components, mechanical products (including heating, ventilation, cooling and refrigeration system products), and products used in the recreational vehicle and manufactured housing industry.

Interested parties wishing to serve on the U.S. TAG are invited to contact Pete DeMarco at pete.demarco@iapmo.org and include a résumé.