How to Avoid a Counterfeit or Contraband Toilet, Faucet or Showerhead

LAS VEGAS, NV — If you’re shopping for a plumbing fixture or fitting—such as a toilet, faucet or showerhead—make sure to avoid a counterfeit or noncertified contraband product in favor of a high-performing product that meets health and safety standards, Plumbing Manufacturers International announced today on the eve of the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), where many high-performing, certified products are on display.

To protect the value of the more than 150 brands of plumbing products manufactured by its members, PMI is warning shoppers about counterfeit and noncertified contraband products while working with its members, online marketplaces, federal and state governments, and the Buy Safe America Coalition (BSAC) to remove these poorly-designed products from online marketplaces.

Poor Performance, Health and Safety Concerns

“Plumbing manufacturers have invested millions of dollars and thousands of hours to produce high-performing toilets, showerheads and faucets that comply with federal, state and local health and safety standards,” said PMI CEO/Executive Director Kerry Stackpole. “Counterfeit and noncertified contraband products typically perform poorly and present health and safety risks—thereby endangering Americans and their families while eroding customers’ trust in the brands PMI members have worked so hard to build.”

Poor-quality products can break easily, leak, provide subpar reliability and durability, and compromise the integrity of plumbing systems, Stackpole added, leading to unexpected and costly damages or repairs. PMI produced a video to raise awareness about this issue. The annual cost of counterfeit goods, pirated software, and trade secrets theft to the nation’s economy runs between $225 billion and $600 billion, the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates. 

Double-Check Products Before Ordering

PMI members manufacture 90% of the plumbing products available in America, and other reputable companies product excellent fixtures and fittings, as well; therefore, most products found online or in stores are not counterfeit. But before making a purchase, look for these red flags:

• Unusually low prices compared to similar products
• Absence of certification marks or logos
• Unfamiliar brand names
• Unfamiliar suppliers

Instead, consider purchasing your products from a reputable supplier or directly from the manufacturer.

In a store before purchase or after the product is delivered after an online purchase, check for:

• Packaging discrepancies
• Absence of certification marks or logos
• Missing or incorrect logos or brand names
• Broken or weak materials; broken or absent quality seals

If something seems suspicious, contact the manufacturer or the manufacturer’s authorized dealer for verification.

Make Smart Buying Decisions

• Shop reputable brands and authorized stores or dealers
• Research brands and products beforehand and familiarize yourself with technical product details such as UPC, model and part numbers; material and dimensions; safety information; and other specifications
• Look for warranty information and guarantees
• Look for certification marks and logos
• Read customer reviews

“PMI members manufacture products that are built to last,” Stackpole emphasized. “A careful buying decision will result in customer satisfaction and an affordable product that will save money in the long run.”