Over the last ten years, IAPMO India has emerged as vibrant and popular in Plumbing and Mechanical industry with its flagship programs on code development and educational/professional certification in partnership with IPA & ISHRAE. In 2018, IAPMO India has added water system division and I am privileged to get an opportunity to work in IAPMO India to initiate codes/standard development in water quality and educational/professional certification in the water treatment sector. The timing is right that IAPMO India has partnered with Water Quality India Association to run their operations in India. IAPMO India will play a key role in bringing IPA and WQIA closer so that several milestones to be achieved in water conservation and improvement of water quality and skill enhancement of Plumbers & Service engineers of water treatment equipment. IAPMO India is going to be one point of contact for product and professional certification requirements in Plumbing, Mechanical and Water Systems programs and has an excellent staff in place to execute professionally. IAPMO India has embarked into many initiatives:
Executing the WQIA’s operations as consulting organization to help the association achieve its strategic goals. IAPMO India is also involved with WQIA for Standard development for RO efficiency and Minimum quality standard for RO technology.
Launched and started offering Certified Service Technician program- Residential drinking water segment to enhance the technical knowledge for service/support of drinking water treatment systems
Developing E - learning platform for plumbing professionals
One day UIPC-I Awareness Programs
CPE/ CPS Professional Certification
Additional Product Testing capabilities and Certification of Plumbing, Mechanical and Water systems products
Setting up new programs along with IAPMO R&T to offer product testing and certification for water-conditioning and treatment products against international standards so that companies will have access in international markets.
IAPMO India as Certification body will promote “Seal of Purity” product certification program of Water Quality India Association (WQIA) against WQIA Microbiological standard IP-100.
Standard(s) awareness training programs so that industry players can achieve a better understanding of global regulatory requirements that help industry for opening international market opportunities.
Engaging with trade associations to help their members understand international market requirements, product testing/certification needs, and provide education and training.
IAPMO India Private Limited’s Product Certification Program is dedicated to providing public health and safety services besides water and energy efficiency, throughout the India while maintaining expert service, superior reputation, and fair pricing.
Enhancing the efforts of IAPMO India and Indian Plumbing Association[IPA], IAPMO India provides Product Certification services to manufacturers in India for various Plumbing, Mechanical HVAC-R and Water Systems, to respective performance standards in conjunction to IAPMO India’s product codes, such as the Uniform Illustrated Plumbing Code - India (UIPC-I), 2017 Uniform Mechanical Code - India (UMC-I) and/or Water Efficient Products India (WEP-I), besides green products certification, to the respective publication Green Plumbing Code Supplement - India (GPCS-I) and Green Mechanical Code Supplement India (GMCS-I) as well as for their respective points ratings from IGBC (India Green Building Code), LEED® India, and GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) for ‘GREEN’ product certification in conjunction with applicable products performance and code certification. Click here to download a brochure that briefly describes IAPMO India and its product certification programs, and kindly visit our website for more details. Our product certification programs evaluate products upon their compliance to national and International standards testing requirements and certify/lists products that comply with the test requirements per applicable standard/s.
NSF/ANSI –61/UIPC-I & UMC-I and NSF/ANSI –372/ UIPC-I & UMC-I Certification: IAPMO has extensive experience in successfully certifying products for toxicity and low-lead standards such as : NSF/ANSI 61, Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects, for toxicity certification and NSF/ANSI 372, Drinking Water System Components –Lead Content, for low-lead certification, Products certifiable to standards NSF/ANSI 61 and 372 are: faucets, fittings, flexible connectors, pipe, tubing, valves, and various materials, components, products, or systems that contact potable drinking water, which evaluate products upon their compliance to respective standards testing requirements and certify/lists products that comply with the test requirements per applicable standard/s, certification in India and authorize listed clients to use IAPMO India-NSF/ANSI 61 logo with or without UPC-I and UMC-I mark of conformity, on the certified products upon their compliance to the standard.
Mechanical Education to Employment Program [MEEP]: The need for establishment of skill development programs and continuing education systems will provide an institutional mechanism to facilitate greater and active participation of the industry, and to better link skill development with the country’s employment demands. Skills and knowledge are the engines of economic growth and social development in any country. The shortage of a skilled workforce across many industries is emerging as a significant and complex challenge to India’s growth and future. The growing skills gap is reflecting slim availability of high quality professionals in India and the galloping pace of the country’s construction and allied service driven economy, which is growing faster than most countries in the world. As businesses propose to double and triple their workforces and IAPMO India strives to maintain its position in the global marketplace, it has become imperative to prepare and plan for a world-class, competent, and innovative workforce.
IAPMO India is playing a pivotal role in nation building by introducing the cutting-edge concept of MEEP (Mechanical Education to Employment Program) training to university students at the entry level industry in order to tackle the impeding shortage of knowledge workers in different levels. This strategy will provide fresh Engineering graduates, Diploma holders, ITI graduates and high school dropouts, this skill development program will mitigate the existing shortfall of trained professionals at entry level for which companies today have spent a lot. MEEP graduates of the multi-level education programs created will be given the option of obtaining professionally qualified certifications credentials such as Mechanical System Design (MSD) Program, Mechanical Supervisors Program (MSP), Mechanical Technicians (MT), and various Short-Term HVAC-R Technicians Programs to help get employment opportunities to the unemployed youth of India (click for more details).
At IAPMO India, we take immense pride in pioneering innovation. In 2019, we achieved a significant milestone by introducing the industry's first independent standard for Water Purifiers. Our commitment to quality, underscored by R&T certification, empowers the endorsement of superior products and fosters water purity and conservation. Our state-of-the-art laboratory for Water products/purifiers, Plumbing Products, and Water efficiency testing is a testament to our dedication to excellence.
IAPMO India is one of the leading water components and purifiers testing laboratory as per National and International standards.
Since our inception, we have been on a remarkable journey, driven by a passion for delivering top-notch services and a vision to make a positive impact in the lives of our customers and communities. Our team's relentless efforts and dedication have enabled us to overcome challenges and embrace opportunities, which has led to our continued growth and success.
At IAPMO, we believe in every aspect of our business, we prioritize transparency, integrity, and reliability. We believe that open communication and trust are the foundation of strong relationships with our stakeholders.
As we continue to grow, we are mindful of our responsibilities towards society and the environment. Sustainability is not just a buzzword for us; it is an integral part of our corporate DNA. We are committed to minimizing our environmental footprint and giving back to the communities we serve.
The plumbing industry has grown a strong voice and presence through IPA, and not just in the Construction sector but also in all of Indian industry and politics. IAPMO India has grown with it. What was just a dream only a few years ago has become achievable and, in many instances, a reality!
This Year In Review reminds me that the Uniform Plumbing Code – India started as just such a dream. Now working with IPA, IAPMO India has achieved a full set of Uniform Codes that are equal to or better than any other codes in the world and are recognized not only by the industry, but more and more political jurisdictions and entities throughout all of India and surrounding countries.
Previously, the quality of products coming into India and being sold were sometimes questionable. Now, however, there is a Product Certification process and mark that assures everyone that the certified products are what they should purchase.
India has been a true example to the world in energy conservation and the green movement. IAPMO India, working with IPA, stepped up and improved the water and energy conservation embedded within the codes by more than 30 percent. A look back can be rewarding. It can also show the way to the future. This Year In Review shows that amazing progress has been made and the future looks very bright indeed!
Another year gone by — it seems just yesterday that we last sent an update on activities in India. With the theme for this year’s report being “I is for International,” IAPMO India, established since 2007, faces a unique situation where nothing relating to plumbing, mechanical or air conditioning is mandatory — neither product nor personnel certification. This leaves us in a scenario where we are asking clients to enlist our services solely by choice. But India is a market where a majority only go by the existing mandatory requirements to be fulfilled. Nobody wants to spend any extra pennies unless they see benefit derived in long run.
We started by establishing ourselves as the key training providers in plumbing by offering customized training programs with the UIPC as a base document. We further went ahead by introducing the Additional Skill Acquisition Program (ASAP) of Kerala, implemented by general and higher education departments together. IAPMO India has designed a curriculum with 50 hours of theory, 150 hours of practical, and 24 hours internship for the Plumbing Apprentice Program, which is compliant with the National Occupational Standards of Plumbing General Assistant role (QP No. PSC/ Q 0102 NSQF Level :2) of Indian Plumbing Skill Council (IPSC). This course equips the students with knowledge in topics including “Introduction to Plumbing,” “Building Sewer (External),” “Drainage, Waste and Vent (Internal),” “Occupational Health & Safety,” “Water Supply (Internal),” “Engineering Drawing,” “Plumbing Fixtures,” “Uniform Plumbing Code – India,” and “Introduction to Plumbing Systems.”
We have delivered this program at all districts each year and have continued to do so to the point where more than 2,000 students, who chose this program out of their choice, a handful of them being women, were trained. Interested students are facilitated employment, too. A proposal on “Community Plumbing” has also been proposed to ASAP to support upgrading toilet facilities of centers where the classes are conducted. This will facilitate the internship attachment of students for site and practical experience and upgrading toilet facilities of the government school where the trainings are conducted. Once ASAP accepts this proposal, all centers where classes are conducted are sure to get better sanitation and hygiene facilities.
This has opened the gates to other institutions like Kohler, Sulabh International, etc., to take similar programs under their CSR activities and contribute to the nation at large by providing trained plumbers to the industry.
Our code-based education programs, both in plumbing and HVAC-R, have seen a big acceptance from engineering colleges and Universities, and Plumbing System Design, (PSD) and Mechanical System Design (MSD) have delivered trained personnel to the industry; a few students were picked up by the Middle East market, too. It may not be out of place to design a program for global placements if requirements are known in advance.
We also changed our certification strategies by approving in-house testing facilities of various manufacturers. Seeking certification from The IAPMO Group surely gives manufacturers a one-stop solution for third-party certification. The expansion over the years is evident in Charles Gross’ article.
The time is now ripe for IAPMO India to operate as a certification body beyond the UIPCI and UMCI. We have partnered with Water Quality Association, India, as a CB to operate their certification scheme. The first license is about to be granted. As a CB, IAPMO India should extend certification to other products, too; as mentioned above, none of the public health/ sanitary appliances are mandatory here. And by extending our scope, we are able to offer certification services beyond UIPCI & UMCI, where there is a need for third party certification, such as RMC (ready mix concrete) and other areas where IAPMO HQ have explored, such as electrical products and food processing units. There are manufacturers from other sectors who seek certification for export purposes and need to meet the requirements of other international standards.
I am delighted to address you on the completion of another exciting year, moving with satisfaction from our achievements in 2022 with great expectations. Our partnership with IAPMO dates back to November 2007 & we are very satisfied with this ongoing cooperation and relationship.
The recognition of our codes, and for IAPMO’s training, will come through the successful implantation of the IPPL & this will further enhance IAPMO & IPA partnership to greater heights, never seen before. I thank IAPMO for a wonderful relationship and do hope this relationship, remains mutually beneficial for both our organisations.
