Photo courtesy of PHCC.
The Get the Lead Out Consortium held a press conference Nov. 9 at Plumbing Manufacturers International headquarters in Rolling Meadows, Ill., to state its message of education and assistance for wholesalers, manufacturers and contractors on the federal lead-free law, which takes effect January 2014.
“We’ve come together to create a common message and a common set of educational tools to provide the industry to ensure we’re all moving together to flush out that inventory in a timely matter,” Watts Water Technologies Director of MarketingGreg Gyordasaid.
In addition to Watts, other manufacturers in the consortium include BrassCraft, Legend Valve, Milwaukee Valve, NIBCO, Reliance Worldwide and Viega. The rest of the consortium consists of representatives from PMI, ASPE, IAPMO, ICC, PHCC, PHCC Educational Foundation and American Supply Association.
Boca Raton, Fla.-basedStan Segal, creator of the new FLO n STOP wireless water shutoff system, said the pending law did make his company adjust its manufacturing process and added cost, but in the end he believes the positives outweigh the negatives.
“At times it’s far-reaching and expensive, but ultimately I think (the law) will help the environment and safeguard people’s health,” he said. “Having lead-free brass is quite expensive. The machinery of the parts is expensive. But having lead in our consumable products is a dangerous situation and this is a step in the right direction.”
