Formaldehyde, vital in resins and adhesives, poses serious health risks, with the U.S. EPA identifying 58 unsafe uses. Regulatory action is needed, but the impact of a potential second Trump administration on these regulations remains uncertain, highlighting concerns for public safety.
As 2025 begins, it's a moment for renewal. In November 2024, ECHA and European authorities updated the REACH proposal to restrict PFAS, aiming to ban them while permitting temporary use until alternatives are available.
Advancements in the plumbing industry are driven by U.S. Department of Energy regulations, with new efficiency standards for fractional horsepower pumps set for 2028. Plumbing & Mechanical's Nicole Krawcke discussed these changes and performance improvements with Becky Henderson from Grundfos Pumps.
Implementing accessibility requirements in plumbing and building construction projects requires attention to detail in design, product specification and installation.
This accessibility primer highlights key requirements of the ADA and FHA, focusing on creating inclusive spaces in construction and plumbing while providing actionable insights for contractors and engineers.
The code development cycle for the 2027 National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC) is open. I encourage your participation in the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the International Code Council (ICC) activities, as your involvement is vital for public health and safety. For guidance, feel free to call me at Regulosity. I look forward to seeing you at the next code hearing!
These changes will unify the Conformity Assessment Group, merging testing and certification services under one roof to provide consistent, gold standard- level customer service across all departments and all office locations.
In this month's article, I've gathered regulatory activities from U.S. government agencies like CPSC, DOE, EPA, FTC, HUD, and SBA. I've organized the activities by agency, rulemaking stage, and included their Regulation Identifier Number (RIN).
A plumbing designer questioned the necessity of the California Plumbing Code and the standards of the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. This raises the question: Are these additional standards truly beneficial?