32 HEALTH AND SANITATION
Online marketplaces have made it easier than ever for consumers to compare prices and purchase plumbing fixtures and systems directly. However, those lower-priced options may come with hidden risks. Hotarek said showroom professionals often lose sales to online retailers where customers assume filtration products are interchangeable commodities, even when those products may not meet code or performance standards.
The issue extends beyond filtration systems. Decorative faucets, shower systems and high-end smart toilets are also frequently replicated or imitated.“ This happens all the time. We sell smart toilets, we sell faucets. Brass is a big part of our showroom business. We sell a lot of faucets and shower systems and stuff like that. It’ s common for people to buy a counterfeit faucet online. Smart toilets are being copied a lot these days. You’ ll see something that looks just like a Toto and it’ s a fraction of the price, and you’ re like, something’ s wrong.”
He added that consumers often do not realise the risks. Hotarek said imitation products frequently mimic premium brands while lacking the engineering, durability and certification required for safe installation.
“ Consumers are frequently ensnared by what I call the‘ fast-fashion trap’ – buying into a look without understanding the engineering. They see a targeted ad for a toilet that promises a USD5 000 savings compared to a reputable brand, but they don’ t realise they are actually spending thousands of dollars on a substandard product that won’ t last. They aren’ t finding a deal; they are purchasing an expensive liability.”
Education drives safety For DPHA members, access to reliable technical information and credible sources is essential not only for protecting consumers but also for supporting professional sales and installation practices.“ Personal opinion only goes so far in a sales consultation. By utilising IAPMO’ s certification standards, we move beyond anecdotal warnings and provide our clients with a professional, third-party source that validates why choosing a compliant product is the only responsible choice,” Hotarek said.
Clearer information about product certification and compliance can help showroom professionals guide customers and avoid potential issues. Hotarek said the partnership will help DPHA members move beyond traditional product sales discussions and toward deeper conversations about safety, certification and compliance.
Partnership takes shape The initial engagement between IAPMO and DPHA has already sparked interest in ongoing collaboration. Potential initiatives discussed include joint articles, educational webinars, podcast conversations and presentations at DPHA events to provide updates on code developments, product compliance trends and emerging risks.
For IAPMO, the partnership represents an opportunity to extend outreach beyond traditional audiences of inspectors, engineers and contractors to include professionals who influence product selection earlier in the process.
“ For 100 years, IAPMO’ s mission has centred on protecting public health and safety through codes and standards,” Madonna said.“ When showroom professionals understand compliance, they play an integral role in preventing non-compliant – even dangerous – products from reaching homes and businesses. These professionals influence product decisions long before an inspector or contractor ever sees the job, so when they understand what compliance really means – and what can go wrong if it’ s ignored – they become a vital part of the safety chain. By sharing what we’ re seeing in real time, we can help showroom professionals guide consumers toward products that are certified, compliant and safe.”
Madonna said the issue extends beyond isolated incidents and reflects a broader trend the organisation is monitoring across the industry.“ We’ re seeing more non-compliant and counterfeit plumbing products enter the market than ever before, especially through online channels. Many of these items appear legitimate on the surface, but they haven’ t been tested to industry requirements, they don’ t meet code and in some cases they pose real safety risks. Education at the point of sale is an effective tool to protect consumers. The challenge is growing, and awareness is the first step,” Madonna said.
DPHA leadership views the relationship as mutually beneficial, providing members with access to technical expertise while supporting broader industry efforts to maintain product quality and safety. Hotarek said:“ As a plumber, I’ m excited. I’ m always trying to share my knowledge with the group, but it’ s better when there’ s more organisations and more people contributing to that. Having IAPMO as a credible source helps everyone. It supports the trade, it supports professionals, but ultimately it keeps the end user safe.”
Industry-wide challenge With more plumbing products being purchased online, concerns about compliance and product quality are growing. Better awareness and education can help showroom professionals and contractors guide customers toward safer, code-compliant choices.
For both organisations, the recent meeting served as an introduction and a starting point for continued collaboration.“ This is about awareness and education. If we can keep that loop going and keep people informed, it helps the entire industry and it helps keep people safe,” Hotarek said. PA
Editor’ s note: Brenda Madonna, who served as IAPMO’ s business development director when this article was written, is no longer with the organisation.
www. plumbingafrica. co. za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline November 2026 Volume 32 I Number 09