Three prominent North American standards development organizations, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE), and CSA Standards have signed an agreement to harmonize five standards concerning automatic compensating valves, anti-siphon fill valves, trap seal primers, pressurized flushing devices (flushometers), and water temperature limiting devices. This harmonization agreement is designed to help bring clarity to the plumbing community; especially to the manufacturers of devices covered by the harmonized standards.
The agreement between the three organizations states that the purpose of the harmonized standards is to assist U.S. and Canadian manufacturers by eliminating duplicate efforts of writing standards for the same products in different countries. This will allow each product to be designed, manufactured, and tested to a common standard. This will help provide assurance of consistent, high quality products, help reduce costs (for producers and consumers), and also help to provide a common basis for product comparisons.
The first harmonized standard, for Performance Requirements for Automatic Compensating Valves for Individual Showers and Tub/Shower Combinations, is expected to be completed and ready for distribution later this year.
Each of the ASME/ASSE/CSA harmonized standards will allow comparable testing of products for the U.S. and Canadian markets. The harmonized standards have an ultimate goal of requiring compliance to one standard and one test, providing a fair process for assessment for manufacturers and buyers in different countries, and helping maintain or improve on the current level of product performance. The harmonized standards will be maintained on an ongoing basis to address new technologies, allow for regional or regulatory differences, and move towards performance based requirements and standards where it is practical and possible.
The signed harmonization agreement between CSA, ASME, and ASSE went into effect December 1, 2009. The initial effort to develop joint standards began in October of 1991 when CSA and ASSE signed a Memorandum of Understanding. After several years of collaboration, a Joint Harmonization Task Group was formed in 2007 to harmonize the requirements of ASME A112.18.1-2005 / CSA B125.1-05, Plumbing supply fittings, and ASSE 1016, Performance Requirements for Automatic Compensating Valves for Individual Showers and Tub/Shower Combinations. During these meetings, it became evident that an agreement between CSA, ASME, and ASSE would be necessary to lay the ground rules for harmonizing documents. On April 22, 2009, representatives of the three organizations held a meeting to set the agreement in motion and begin the harmonization process which ultimately led to the joint agreement.
About American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.
For more information, visit Http://www.asme.org.
About the American Society of Sanitary Engineering
ASSE is an ANSI Accredited standards developer and professional qualifications body that is comprised of individual and sustaining members who represent all disciplines of the plumbing industry. Its mission is to continually improve the performance, reliability, and safety of plumbing systems. ASSE’s product performance standards, professional qualifications standards, professional certification and product listing programs are developed in the interest of public health and the society’s motto: “Prevention Rather Than Cure.”
For more information, visit http://www.asse-plumbing.org
About CSA Standards
CSA Standards is a leading standards-based solutions organization serving industry, government, consumers and other interested parties in North America and the global marketplace. Focusing on standards and codes development, application products, training, advisory and personnel certification services, the organization aims to enhance public safety, improve quality of life, preserve the environment and facilitate trade. CSA Standards is a division of CSA Group, which also consists of CSA International, which provides testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers.
For more information visit http://www.csa.ca
