At the urging of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Congress is encouraging the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to utilize American standards in the global water and sanitation infrastructure projects it funds.

 

Language recommended by IAPMO has been included in the latest U.S. House of Representatives appropriations bill relating to USAID's use of codes and standards for global WASH projects. "The Committee encourages the USAID Administrator to utilize American standards in the design and implementation of relevant development programs, such as water and sanitation projects," language in the bill reads. "USAID is directed to consult with the Committees on Appropriations on the use of such standards in the design and implementation of development programs."

 

The entire appropriations bill may be viewed at bit.ly/3jv1d0q.

 

Similar language has been included in previous bills and IAPMO advocated strongly for its continued inclusion in order to ensure the sustainability of major WASH projects to meet strong, accepted standards.

 

"For over a decade, IAPMO has been a proud supporter and partner of USAID in water projects around the world," said Dain Hansen, IAPMO executive vice president of Government Relations. "This language from Congress emphasizes the role that standards play in the governance of sustainable WASH systems and the development of local industry. We look forward to working with USAID in its implementation."

 

IAPMO's Codes and Standards department represents IAPMO in many standards-writing organizations throughout North America. These organizations include the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), and the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). IAPMO's Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) are the only stand-alone American National Standards governing installation and maintenance of these systems.

 

For more information, contact Hansen at 202-445-7514 or dain.hansen@iapmo.org.