PHILADELPHIA -- Members of the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) at the society's annual meeting in Philadelphia on Nov. 15 voted in favor of joining the IAPMO Group. As a result of the acquisition, ASSE will maintain its name and identity while functioning as the ASSE International Chapter of IAPMO.
"We receive the news of ASSE membership's affirming vote with great enthusiasm," said new IAPMO President Gary Hile. "The obvious mutual benefits of this agreement offer a win-win for not only ASSE and IAPMO, but our industry as a whole."
Founded in 1906 by the District of Columbia's Chief Plumbing Inspector, Henry B. Davis, ASSE is one of the oldest plumbing organizations in the United States. Its professional membership develops and maintains both product and professional qualification standards for the plumbing and mechanical industry while also administering one of the most recognized plumbing product certification programs.
Founded in Los Angeles in 1926, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has grown to be recognized the world over for its Uniform Codes. Through its various business units, The IAPMO Group participates worldwide in product testing and certification, codes and standards development, and education, training and personnel certification.
In February of 2011, IAPMO and ASSE signed a copyright agreement to jointly develop and market Professional Qualification Standards under the ASSE/ANSI accredited standards development process. The ANSI-accredited process and committee structure employed by ASSE to develop both product and professional qualification standards would remain intact.
“IAPMO and ASSE are two venerable organizations that for decades have worked both individually and often in collaboration toward numerous mutual objectives in the name of public health and safety,” Chaney said. “Because they are such strong complements to one another, there is really a natural fit in working together permanently.”
The IAPMO Group since 1995 has enjoyed steady, significant annual growth with regard to scope, financial flexibility and stature. The proposal would enable ASSE to expand its influence in both the domestic and international markets and further augment services provided to ASSE customers and members.
“As longtime and frequent collaborators, ASSE and IAPMO have accomplished great things together on behalf of our industry and the general public,” said ASSE Immediate Past President Don Summers. “IAPMO’s resources and vast international presence fit right in line with the strategic goals of the 106-year-old ASSE name and promise to begin an exciting new chapter full of possibility in the life of both organizations.”
For more information, visit www.iapmo.org and www.asse-plumbing.org.