Balloon-type ball backwater valve selected as Plumbing/Heating product area for Joint Canada-U.S. Standards pilot project

OTTAWA, Jan. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is pleased to announce the selection of the balloon-type ball backwater valve as the product topic for the plumbing/heating sector joint Canada-U.S. Standard pilot project. The pilot project, one of two bi-national pilots launched in July, is focused on new or emerging product areas where neither standards nor regulations currently exist.

A selection panel of Canada-U.S. industry representatives, including members of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) and several U.S. organizations, evaluated project submissions and determined that standards development for balloon-type ball backwater valves would benefit the greatest number of Canadian and American users.

These valves are used in drainage pipes where reversal of flow causes the valve to close-off and prevent sewage from potentially causing extensive flood damage. With the increased incidence of flood risk and the cost of installing backwater valves, especially in residential retrofits, this product will have a valuable impact in the marketplace.

"We have consulted with industry and our allied associations on both sides of the border, and the consensus is that the Balloon-type ball backwater valve pilot project will help industry in both countries to avoid inefficiencies and to contain potential development costs. Our ultimate goal is to improve speed toward harmonization, especially in new technology areas with the end result being one standard, one mark, one test accepted in both Canada and the USA," said Ralph Suppa, President and General Manager, CIPH.

"SCC is pleased to support the plumbing/heating industry in order to create a common Canada-U.S. standard in efforts to reduce inefficiencies and avoid impediments to cross-border trade within that sector," said John Walter, CEO of SCC.

SCC will solicit proposals from accredited standards development organizations (SDOs), and provide as-needed funding to facilitate the development of a joint Canada-U.S. voluntary standard for balloon-type backwater valves. In order to be selected, entities must be accredited to develop national standards in both countries—whether as a single SDO with dual accreditation, or through a partnership of U.S.-Canada SDOs. The joint standard, when completed, will be submitted for approval by both the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and SCC.

About SCC
SCC is a Crown corporation and a portfolio of Industry Canada. With the goal of enhancing Canada's economic competitiveness and social well-being, SCC leads and facilitates the development and use of national and international standards. SCC also coordinates Canadian participation in standards development, and identifies strategies to advance Canadian standardization efforts. Accreditation services are provided by SCC to approximately 500 customers, including various product certifiers and testing laboratories. SCC represents Canada at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and oversees the Canadian national committee to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). For additional information on the work of the SCC, visit www.scc.ca or email [e-mail].

SOURCE: Government of Canada

For further information:

Media contact:
Antonia Kusy
Manager, Corporate Communications and Planning, SCC
613-238-3222 ext. 462
[e-mail]