Codes & Legislation

PPI Backs USMCA Renewal Ahead of 2026 Joint Review Deadline

Fri, 22 May 2026 14:59:00 -0400

Public comments submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) by PPI emphasized that USMCA continues to deliver meaningful benefits for all American manufacturers and workers by supporting stable supply chains, providing investment certainty for companies operating across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and long term industrial growth.

ASA and PHCC Members Bring Unified Industry Voice to Capitol Hill

Tue, 12 May 2026 13:41:50 -0400

Among the primary topics discussed during congressional meetings was the need to strengthen workforce development initiatives and expand pathways into the skilled trades.

ASA Advocacy update: Farm bill progress, workforce legislation, tariffs, and 2026 election developments

srossi@asa.net (Steve Rossi) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The House Agriculture Committee reported the long-awaited Farm Bill, which incorporates provisions of the Healthy H2O Act — legislation ASA has championed that enables rural residents, particularly those relying on wells, to test their water and apply for grants to fund corrective measures, including third-party-certified end-point filtration devices.

Fabricated steel imports expose gaps in tariff policy

forstern@bnpmedia.com (Natalie Forster) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In the United States, the current steel tariff structure is rooted in Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which imposes duties of up to 25% on imported steel, with some increases reaching 50% in recent policy adjustments. These tariffs were designed to safeguard domestic manufacturing and national security interests, but they primarily target raw steel and certain derivative categories, leaving gaps that global suppliers have learned to navigate.

EPA launches initiative to strengthen U.S. drinking water systems

forstern@bnpmedia.com (Natalie Forster) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Announced March 4, the initiative, Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA), refocuses federal resources on technical support and practical guidance for water systems, particularly those facing operational, financial or regulatory challenges.

World Plumbing Day: The hidden infrastructure protecting public health

forstern@bnpmedia.com (Natalie Forster) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:10:01 -0400

Modern plumbing infrastructure is so embedded in daily life that it is often taken for granted. Yet its impact on global health is enormous.

Advocacy as a business strategy

forstern@bnpmedia.com (Natalie Forster) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Between tariff rulings, state product bans, federal efficiency standards and mounting workforce challenges, the PHCP-PVF channel is operating in an environment where regulatory shifts can alter inventory planning, product availability and pricing strategy almost overnight.

HARDI releases State of the Channel report

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Now in its sixth edition, the report delivers a concise but comprehensive view of market performance, competitive shifts, and forward-looking demand trends—built on HARDI’s proprietary data, industry surveys, and expert analysis.

Critical systems in critical moments: emergency preparation in healthcare facilities

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R Bayles) — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Emergency preparedness for plumbing systems in healthcare is vital, as they must remain operational and hygienic during regular use and crises. Water availability, pressure, and quality directly affect infection control and patient safety.

What PHCP wholesalers need to know about 2025 DOE standards

forstern@bnpmedia.com (Natalie Forster) — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The 2025 standards are a reminder that regulation is never static. But wholesalers who position themselves as both compliance experts and trusted advisors can turn these challenges into an opportunity to strengthen contractor relationships—and protect their margins in the process.

Championing water safety, accessibility and sustainability

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Our trip was focused on promoting policy solutions that address these growing concerns—ensuring that every community, regardless of geography or income, has access to safe and sustainable water. We also were there supporting the trades who install and service this critical infrastructure as well as the manufacturers and wholesale distributors that keep the supply chain full.

Fujitsu General announces Premier Program strategic partnership

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

The Premier Program is a worry-free service for homeowners to replace and upgrade their heating and cooling equipment for a low monthly payment, while eliminating the common pain points associated with owning, maintaining, and repairing such systems.

Quarterly codes update

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

When Supply House Times reached out to me to ask if I would consider writing a quarterly column providing readers with updates on what is happening in the world of codes and standards I jumped at the chance. So beginning with this introductory column I will begin providing you with what I hope to be valuable information on codes and standards changes impacting your business.

EPA announces final rule on lead in drinking water plumbing systems

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0400

It has been a long time coming, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced issuance of the final rule "Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder, and Flux for Drinking Water."

Jim Kendzel: Eye on safety

Tue, 12 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400

We have all been focused on COVID-19, and with all of the rapid changes occurring related to the pandemic, it is difficult to write an article that is not outdated before the publication date.

NAPCO's NAPSYS-HR PVC DWV

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 10:03:00 -0500

NAPCO Royal Pipe and Fittings announced the new NAPSYS-HR PVC DWV (drain-waste-vent) product system is now available to customers.

Bonomi S250 Series stainless steel in-line check valves earn NSF 61/372 certification

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 08:24:16 -0500

All six sizes of the NPT threaded S250 series, from 1/2” to 2”, have been certified lead-free to NSF/ANSI 61 by the methods prescribed in NSF/ANSI 372.

Julius Ballanco: Inside the opposition of A2L refrigerants

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400

ASHRAE proposed changes that would have added the provision of addendums “D” and “H” of ASHRAE 15 to the 2021 edition of the IAPMO Uniform Mechanical Code.

Residential plumbing inspector webinar series: Follow your career path

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Here’s your chance to become a certified Residential Plumbing Inspector. Let the Learning Center at the International Code Council be your training guide during a one-month online webinar series beginning July 9.

U.S. drinking water products standards published as National Standards of Canada

Thu, 18 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400

American National Standards for health effects of drinking water treatment chemicals (NSF/ANSI 60) and drinking water system components (NSF/ANSI 61) updated for the Canadian market and published as National Standards of Canada.

Minimizing potential water damage

Thu, 07 Mar 2019 12:50:00 -0500

Did you know there is a specification for water leak detection products that protects your customers’ home or business from damage caused by leaking pipes?

Which mark is the correct mark?

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500

I recently attended a standards committee meeting where the subject of certification was raised.

Will Illinois see the light and move to a model plumbing code?

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500

There are four remaining state-written plumbing codes used in the United States. You could say that the remaining four states are just stubborn. Maybe they think they do it better than the model plumbing codes, but they don’t.

ASHRAE and NSF to present joint water management standard agreement

mcmenamine@bnpmedia.com (Ed McMenamin) — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500

The committees intend to present the agreement to the appropriate ASHRAE approving bodies at the upcoming ASHRAE conference at AHR Expo in Atlanta.

Haws overhead tank shower

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Haws adds a revised overhead tank shower to its extensive line of emergency response solutions.

PMI develops guidance for indoor recycled water use

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 13:42:00 -0500

The water quality limits provide recommended ranges on 13 different parameters of water quality.

AHRI announces new officers

Thu, 29 Nov 2018 12:45:00 -0500

The organization elected its new officers during the group’s first-ever Leadership Forum.

ASA codes and standards update

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0500

ASA is committed to be the voice of its members and the industry in the development and revisions to codes and standards.

Combating Legionella in building water systems

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0400

I had the opportunity to attend an informative conference in Baltimore, Maryland covering Legionella in building water systems.

Water efficiency: What is the impact of success?

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0400

There is no time to relax for a codes and standards person.