It is all for the best .

Rory Macnamara

The certification of products has been perplexing , so we are doing our bit to remove the confusion .

We have produced a Certification Body Matrix listing the products related to plumbing and the Certification Bodies ( CB ) that certify each product .

Industry , including municipalities , must appreciate and understand that each CB is equal to the other and their individual mark on the product shows they have followed all the testing procedures and audits required by the South African National Accreditation System ( SANAS ).

The insistence by some that the product must carry the SABS Approved mark no longer applies and such thinking is outdated and non-acceptance of any of these other marks could lead one into some heavy litigation .

In the case of municipalities carrying only one mark in their bylaws , this needs to be changed to reflect the current situation . All marks are equal .

The South African National Standard ( SANS ) applicable to the product will appear alongside the respective CB ’ s mark together with the required indelible marking required .

There are seven CBs that are certifying in the plumbing area , namely :
1 .	AENOR ,
2 .	Africa Standards and Certifications ,
3 .	Conformity International ,
4 .	South African All Brothers Products Systems Certification ,
5 .	South African Bureau of Standards ( SABS ),
6 .	South African Product Certification Services ( SAPCS )
7 .	South African Technical Auditing Services ( SATAS ).

Typical markings every one metre .

Manufacturers are now spoilt for choice and have no reason not to obtain certification of their products or systems .

Furthermore , should one be dissatisfied with the service provided one needs to report to SANAS and they will investigate and if need be , suspend the body .

I order to maintain the accuracy of the matrix ; it will appear online only alongside the digital version of Plumbing Africa journal enabling CBs to have information updated .

The advantage to the reader / user is that one has immediate access to the CBs operating in the country as well as the product that has been certified .

Plumbing Africa print version will maintain a regular notice of changes as well as the fact that such a useful instrument is available .

The fact that there are a few CBs is good news in itself , and that , together with an independent list of CBs and the products / systems , are available quickly is all for the best and no more confusion . PA

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August 2024 Volume 30 I Number 6 www . plumbingafrica . co . za

PlumbingAfrica_August_2024_digital Plumbing Africa | Page 3

It is all for the best .