As this issue of Official reaches readers, the global plumbing community will have just come together in Birmingham, U.K., for the 2026 World Plumbing Conference. IAPMO was proud to play a meaningful role in this year’s event, with Hugo Aguilar, Sean Cleary, and Christoph Lohr contributing presentations and discussions on issues shaping the future of our industry. I also had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion alongside other industry leaders. The conference also served as an important opportunity to strengthen international collaboration through formal memorandums of understanding with the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), as well as a three-party agreement among IAPMO, CIPHE, and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE).
These agreements reflect a shared commitment to advancing education, sustainability, water efficiency, research, and professional collaboration throughout the global plumbing and mechanical industries. Together, the organizations will explore opportunities for joint training initiatives, technical guidance, research projects, and public awareness efforts focused on protecting public health, safety, and wellbeing. The agreements also encourage collaboration on water efficiency initiatives, including efforts related to water reuse systems and the continued advancement of technologies and programs that promote responsible water use. In addition, the organizations plan to support one another through shared publications, reciprocal membership opportunities, and expanded dissemination of technical expertise and standards in their respective markets. I look forward to sharing more details and reflections from the conference in my next column.
Closer to home, May was a memorable month for everyone in and around IAPMO’s orbit as we celebrated our 100th anniversary. On May 19, IAPMO’s Board of Directors and WHQ-based staff gathered to commemorate a century of protecting public health and safety. The “birthday” luncheon celebration offered a chance not only to reflect on our history, but also to recognize the people and partnerships that have made IAPMO what it is today. Reaching 100 years is a milestone few organizations achieve, and it was especially meaningful to celebrate it together with the dedicated individuals who continue to carry our mission forward every day.
This issue also represents one of our final opportunities to encourage readers to join us at the 2026 IAPMO Annual Education and Business Conference, taking place Sept. 13-16 in Universal City, a stone’s throw from Los Angeles, IAPMO’s 1926 birthplace.
The event promises to be an exceptional gathering of industry leaders, technical experts, and partners from around the world. Alongside our educational and business programming, attendees will hear from a strong lineup of international voices, including Indian Plumbing Association President Gurmit Singh Arora and PICAC CEO Shayne La Combre, in addition to senior representatives from several of our international offices and partner organizations. We will also welcome Tools and Tiara’s founder Judaline Cassidy to deliver our keynote address. The conference will further provide opportunities to reflect on IAPMO’s history, recognize the people and partnerships that have shaped the organization over the past century, and look ahead to the challenges and opportunities facing our industry in the decades to come. As always, the conference remains one of the best opportunities to collaborate, share ideas, and strengthen the relationships that advance our industry.
Another effort that continues to embody the spirit of collaboration is the IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge project at the Los Angeles Mission. This initiative has become one of the most meaningful projects in IWSH history, both because of its scale and because of the impact it will have on the local community. The work to improve water and sanitation infrastructure at the Mission will directly benefit a tremendous number of people experiencing hardship in downtown Los Angeles. There is certainly something particularly fitting about undertaking this project in the city where IAPMO was founded as we celebrate our centennial year.
The project has brought together an extraordinary coalition of partners, including District Council 16, the California Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association, volunteers from six local unions throughout Southern California, several Southern California plumbing contractors, and many others donating their expertise and time. One especially meaningful aspect of the project has been seeing Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety inspectors involved in reviewing and approving the work — a reminder of the organization’s roots and a full-circle moment connecting IAPMO’s founding to its mission today.
In early May, IAPMO senior staff leadership also gathered for strategy meetings focused on the organization’s future growth and long-term direction. These discussions reinforced something I believe strongly: despite ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty around the world, IAPMO remains in a strong position operationally and financially. The meetings provided an opportunity for leadership teams from across the organization to align priorities, strengthen collaboration, and ensure we remain focused on serving our members, customers, and partners effectively as we begin our second century. The energy and commitment demonstrated throughout those meetings left me very optimistic about IAPMO’s future.
That future was further strengthened recently as In Compliance joined IAPMO. In Compliance is a Germany-based consulting organization specializing in international product approvals for plumbing products, systems and components, with a strong emphasis on products coming in contact with drinking water. With deep expertise in navigating global regulatory frameworks, the company supports manufacturers in understanding and meeting complex requirements across multiple jurisdictions, including product standards, certification pathways, and market access strategies.
As manufacturers place greater emphasis on quality assurance, design integrity, serviceability, and environmental performance, early integration of robust regulatory intelligence into product development is essential. In Compliance brings this expertise directly into the design and certification lifecycle, helping ensure that compliance considerations are embedded from the very beginning rather than addressed at later stages.
This addition represents an important evolution for IAPMO. While we have long provided standards development, testing, certification, and related technical expertise, consulting services have historically been handled on a more limited, project-by-project basis. By welcoming In Compliance, we are establishing a stronger and more structured global consulting capability — one that complements our existing services while preserving the appropriate independence between advisory functions and certification activities.
A defining strength of In Compliance is its end-to-end service model. The team of dedicated technical consultants and project managers works closely with clients from initial design conception through to final approval, coordinating a broad network of accredited testing laboratories worldwide. This integrated approach allows for more efficient planning, reduced time-to-market, and fewer costly delays or redesigns during certification.
Most importantly, In Compliance joins IAPMO with a shared commitment to technical excellence, customer service, and advancing public health and safety, strengthening our collective ability to help manufacturers succeed in an increasingly complex global regulatory environment.
The challenges facing our industry are evolving rapidly, but so is IAPMO. As we begin our second century, we are doing so with a strong foundation, a clear sense of purpose, and a commitment to continuing to grow alongside the industry and communities we serve. I am incredibly optimistic about the future of this organization and grateful to everyone helping shape what comes next.
Dave Viola
Dave Viola is the CEO of The IAPMO Group, a global non-profit membership-based organization focused on the development of codes that govern plumbing quality standards. He has more than 25 years of senior management experience within the plumbing and mechanical industry. He joined IAPMO in 2007 and, served as IAPMO’s chief operating officer with strategic and operational responsibility for the comprehensive array of IAPMO Group programs and services. Dave also serves as Deputy Chairman of the World Plumbing Council. Dave previously worked as Technical Director for the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) from 1998 until 2007. He serves or has served on many industry committees and boards in the United States and Canada, including AWE, ASME, ANSI and ASHRAE.
Last modified: July 14, 2026