Plastic pipes body insists on high standards
The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association
(SAPPMA) has reiterated its insistence that only top-
quality pipes manufactured by members who adhere to the
association’s Code of Conduct and who meet the stringent
quality standards, will be allowed to bear the SAPPMA mark.
Jan Venter, SAPPMA’s chief executive officer, says
board members will focus on quality and will take an
uncompromising stand when it comes to pipe manufacturers
who fail to comply or are found guilty of misconduct. SAPPMA
remains resolute in its decision not to lower standards, even if
it runs the risk of losing long-term members through expulsion.
The failure of the SABS and the gap between supply and
demand have created an environment where corners are cut
as margins come under pressure, coupled with rising raw
material prices, specific to HDPE pipe.
“Due to enormous expenditure on research and
development by polymer manufacturers, modern pipe grade
materials have such excellent properties that it is now
impossible for any pipe engineer to ignore them,” he adds.
SAPMA represents more than 80% of the pipe
manufacturers in South Africa who abide by a Code of
Conduct, voluntarily committing to maintaining the highest
ethical standards in all their professional dealings. Seeing the
SAPPMA mark displayed on pipes assures quality and that the
product will last more than 100 years without failure, because it
was manufactured according to the highest standards.
SAPPMA urges specifying engineers and decision-
makers to ensure that they insist on SAPPMA or IFPA
membership when drawing up specification, and that
only pipes bearing the association’s logo be used
for projects. They also encourage the public or concerned
parties to submit pipes for independent testing should they
have concerns about irregular or substandard pipe.
Venter maintains that there is a clear difference between
pipes bearing the SAPPMA logo and that were manufactured
by 5-star members, versus cheap imports or locally produced
pipes that use inferior-quality raw materials or include
recycled content. u
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