BUSINESS AND TRAINING
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To give effect to the goals set by the industry for
the SA Watermark, a set of rules was compiled that
governs how a product can be added to the
SA Watermark register.
These rules apply equally to any and all companies
that want their products to be listed. These rules
respect all relevant legislation and are aligned with
international best practices and trends.
This means that any company, irrespective of its size,
association, country or any other categorisation, can
list their products on the SA Watermark, as long as it
complies with the published rules.
Governance
To govern the SA Watermark, an executive board
consisting of at least 13 members has been
established.
This board comprises of a variety of representative
members from the industry so that the different
perspectives of the industry are recognised. The board
includes up to five manufacturer members, up to three
members from different industry associations, up to
two representatives from government departments
and up to two merchant members.
This means that different points of view are considered
at all times and that individuals will not be able to
manipulate any decisions or processes.
The complaint lodged at the Competition Commission
alleged that the existing industry organisations –
the Institute of Plumbing South Africa (IOPSA), the
Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB) and
the Joint Acceptance Scheme for Water Services
Installation Components (JASWIC) – are colluding
to create barriers for new and emerging players in
the market. It was alleged that this was done by
establishing the SA Watermark.
These complaints were lodged by a private test
laboratory and private certification organisation.
During the course of the investigations, the different
organisation’s structures and operations were
investigated. More importantly, the rules and governing
structures of the SA Watermark was scrutinised by the
Commission.
In one of the communications received from the
commission, it was stated that: “The Commission
acknowledges the need for the scheme in the
plumbing industry…”
In the same communication, the commission
expressed: “...the Commissioners have decided that
the scheme should be administered by a neutral
independent company...”
The full details of the company administering the SA
Watermark have been submitted to the Commission.
This company is a registered non-profit organisation
named the South African Independent Auditing
Services (SA-IAS).
January 2020 Volume 25 I Number 11
"The SA Watermark re-confirmed their
commitment to serve the industry in a
manner that will encourage compliance
and that will be accessible to all sectors
of the industry."
On 29 October 2019, the Commission announced that
the complaint will not be taken further. This confirms
that the investigation did not reveal collusion as
was alleged.
No collusion
Although the SA Watermark never doubted that this
would be the outcome, we are happy that this issue
came to a conclusion so that we can ultimately put
this behind us.
We appreciate the professional manner in which the
commission did their duty to investigate and to keep
us informed of the outcome.
What's next for the SA Watermark?
We are happy to confirm that the industry participation
keeps growing and that we receive more inquiries on a
consistent basis.
In order to assist new companies that want to list their
products on the SA Watermark register, we appointed
two sales representatives that will be able to assist
companies with information and lead them with their
application processes.
In the Western Cape, we welcome Richard Baily to our
team and in Gauteng Natie van der Westhuizen.
The SA Watermark re-confirmed their commitment
to serve the industry in a manner that will encourage
compliance and that will be accessible to all sectors of
the industry. PA
www.plumbingafrica.co.za