My colleague Terry Burger has written in detail about ASSE’s latest efforts to harmonize performance standards. Often the question asked is, “How does this ultimately affect the ability to certify products?” First, a potential listee can design their product(s) to adhere to one set of testing criteria. With harmonized standards, gone are the quirky issues that might arise by slightly different testing criteria. This simplification also leads to listees being able to choose one certification body to cover the Canadian and U.S. markets, assuming the certification body is recognized in both jurisdictions.
In 2021, ASSE International was proud to announce the registration of its trademarked cASSE seal for Canada. As ASSE is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), ASSE is able to certify products to a variety of standards from across the industry. These include standards authored by ASME, IAPMO, AWWA, CSA, NSF, and of course, ASSE. The cASSE seal is used for certification to recognize Canadian standards. When you display the cASSE seal, you demonstrate that your products have gone through a single, rigorous, bi-national process. It is a distinct mark that’s used to show that products are compliant to both U.S. and Canadian requirements.
One of the benefits to using one certification body such as ASSE is the ability to eliminate redundant factory audits. Since each certification body is required to employ independent inspections, certifying products to a harmonized standard with a single certification body can reduce the number of annual factory audits. Likewise, continuous compliance testing can be redundant and not on the same schedule when multiple certification bodies are employed. Choosing a certification body that can list products to both markets can eliminate this costly superfluous expense.
One area ASSE has a proven record of excellence is backflow prevention. Over the last year, ASSE 1013, Performance Requirements for Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assemblies, has undergone the process of being harmonized with its Canadian equivalent, CSA B64.4. The harmonization process is expected to be completed later this year. The next standard(s) in queue to be harmonized will be ASSE 1015, Performance Requirements for Double Check Backflow Prevention Assemblies, and its Canadian equivalent, CSA B64.5. Once these standards have been harmonized, clients will have the ability to choose one certification body that that will evaluate the client’s products to a single standard that covers both jurisdictions under one listing.
Again, this will allow listees to take advantage of the previously mentioned benefits that come with certifying products to a harmonized standard.
For certain standards, ASSE is considered to be exemplary. Often plumbing inspectors have a preference for the ASSE symbol when certified to certain standards. Certifying with ASSE to standards such as ASSE 1013 and 1015 as well as the below can help to address this.
- ASSE 1002/ASME A112.1002/CSA B125.12, Anti-Siphon Fill Valves for Water Closet Tanks
- ASSE 1016/ASME A112.1016/CSA B125.16, Performance Requirements for Automatic Compensating Valves for Individual Showers and Tub/Shower Combinations
- ASSE 1070/ASME A112.1070/CSA B125.70, Performance Requirements for Water Temperature Limiting Devices
While most harmonized standards discussed in this article have focused on Canadian/U.S. harmonization, domestic harmonization opportunities are also being explored. When these efforts come to fruition, ASSE will be ready to fulfill these listing opportunities as well.
ASSE-listed products are tested by qualified and accredited laboratories to the strict performance requirements of industry standards. Test reports are reviewed by in-house technical services staff and the ASSE Seal Control Board (SCB). The SCB is a cross-section of the plumbing industry — manufacturers, inspectors, contractors, and professional engineers, with no more than one member from each segment allowed to vote on the certification of a product. Listed products are inspected for compliance annually and retested every five years.
ASSE encourages current clients to adopt the cASSE mark whenever possible. With the ever-increasing list of harmonized standards, the cASSE mark will become increasingly common. The time and money associated with keeping multiple certifications increases with a listee’s ever-changing product portfolio. At ASSE, you have a certification partner who understands the importance of speed to market, simplification, and cost reduction. ASSE’s expanded testing capabilities mean that both new and existing clients can now consolidate all their certifications, to multiple industry standards, under one umbrella — ASSE International.
To update your certifications, please contact: staffengineer@asse-plumbing.org.
