Manufacturers of PVC pipes in South Africa have less than six months left to ensure that their products are compliant with the Southern African Bureau of Standards’ (SABS) ruling that all locally manufactured be free of heavy metals by July 2015.

This announcement was made for the first time on the 30th October 2013 by Sibongile Dhlamini, General Manager at the SABS Certification (Gauteng), following an amendment of a series of standards by the technical committee of the SABS Standard Division.

The Southern African Plastics Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA), representing more than 80 % of the country’s pipe manufacturers, welcomed the announcement.

Promoting quality products

“SAPPMA’S aim is to support the industry in promoting quality products.  To this end, we work closely with the SABS in matters of standards and quality through implementing various quality-assurance measures and initiatives, as well as demanding additional good practice measures from its members,” explains Jan Venter, SAPPMA Chairman.

According to Venter, SAPPMA members had already embarked on a voluntary removal of heavy metal stabilisers from their PVC pipes as early as 2006.”

“Removing heavy metals from their PVC pipes was done at considerable cost to our members, but was wholly supported because it was in line with SAPPMA’s life cycle thinking. It took into account end-of-life issues and waste management options and it was based on health and environmental considerations,” Venter said.

Window period closing

The SABS gave local manufacturers of PVC pipes who are SABS certified a window period of 24 months to get their house in order and to comply with the new relevant standard requirements. However, this grace period ends on the 1st of July 2015.

Pipes bearing the SABS mark of quality will also have to be resubmitted for testing in order to be issued with new permits.

PVC pipe manufacturers needing assistance with the process can contact SAPPMA on (011) 314-4021 or via email at admin@sappma.co.za or www.sappma.co.za