ASSOCIATIONS 3
From the executive director
By
Steve Brown, executive director of IOPSA
In this second month of 2026, compliance remains as important as ever.
I sometimes believe that as plumbers, we do not fully understand the impact – positive or negative – that we have on the environment, as well as our role in protecting the earth’ s most precious resource, water.
Compliance across the whole supply chain is critical, and there cannot be a place for non-compliance.
The fact is that reputable plumbers are suffering because of pricing, caused by individuals who support non-compliant products and do not follow compulsory installation standards. Consequently, reputable plumbers just cannot compete on a level playing field.
– this is critical for sustainability, and for protecting the plumbing industry and our consumers.
IOPSA, under direction from our members and stakeholders, are working together to formulate a way forward.
© Plumbing Africa
Ask yourself, when was the last time you saw a fully compliant geyser installation, or a property that fully complied with venting standards?
Remember when we used to ask the question,‘ Is this a SABSapproved product?’
We as the plumbing industry need to address these challenges as a collective. As an IOPSA member stated in a previous meeting, we are past the bottom of the barrel.
South Africa needs investment, jobs and compliant plumbing systems
The question we need to start with is,“ Is this item an approved product?”
Steve Brown, executive director of IOPSA.
We have a long way to go on this journey to full compliance, but every journey starts with one step, and as an industry we are on that journey and the first step has been taken.
We can make a difference working together for the betterment of our industry. PA
February 2026 Volume 31 I Number 12 www. plumbingafrica. co. za