The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®) and the Solar Keymark Network have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work in collaboration toward the goal of a global certification program for solar heating products.
Solar Keymark Network Chairman Dr. Harald Drueck added his signature to the MOU on Sept. 30 during a meeting at the German Institute for Standardization in Berlin, Germany.
Les Nelson, director of IAPMO’s Solar Heating & Cooling Programs, said about three dozen delegates from Europe, China and Australia were on hand when the MOU was signed. Nelson was appointed vice chairman of the newly formed Global Solar Certification Network.
“We at IAPMO are very excited to be working with the Solar Keymark Network to help bring codes from North America and Europe in line with each other and look for ways to create a strong code for solar products that can and will be used worldwide,” Nelson said.
The MOU outlines several areas in which Solar Keymark and IAPMO will work together, including:
• Pursuing the harmonization of certification programs and procedures by actively participating in the IEA Task 43 Extension Global Certification activities.
• Pursuing the mutual acceptance of certifications by accredited certification bodies in all geographic areas.
• Promoting solar thermal product certification through open, transparent, consensus-based standards by including requirements for solar products certified by accredited bodies in regional and national regulations and incentive programs.
The Solar Keymark is a voluntary third-party certification mark for solar thermal products, demonstrating to end-users that a product conforms to the relevant European standards and fulfills additional requirements. The Solar Keymark is used in Europe and increasingly recognized worldwide.
Since 1976, IAPMO has developed the Uniform Solar Energy Code (USEC), the only model code governing the installation, inspection and maintenance of solar energy systems and their component products to be designated as an American National Standard.
Founded in Los Angeles in 1926, IAPMO has grown to be recognized the world over for its Uniform Codes. With offices in 12 U.S. states and 15 countries, IAPMO has assisted with code development all over the world, and provisions from its Uniform Plumbing Code® protect more than half the world’s population. For more information, visit www.iapmo.org.
Last modified: October 9, 2013