The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) is urging engineers, municipalities, contractors and procurement officers to exercise greater care when sourcing plastic piping systems. With infrastructure designed to last decades, the choice of pipe can make or break a project.
“There is a growing trend by some manufacturers to offer pipes at a reduced price, made possible by bypassing some material requirements,” says Jan Venter, CEO of SAPPMA. “These pipes might look the same at face value, but unless they bear the SAPPMA logo they don’t comply with quality or safety standards and will never achieve the 50+ year lifespan expected of a properly manufactured system. In the end, it’s the end-user who pays the price through premature failures, costly repairs and reputational damage.”
The SAPPMA mark as guarantee of quality
Pipes that bear the SAPPMA logo are manufactured to the highest international standards and have passed independent audits and regular inspections. For purchasers, this logo is a visible guarantee of quality and peace of mind.
“When you insist on the SAPPMA mark, you are protecting your investment and safeguarding the communities who depend on reliable water, gas and sewage networks,” stresses Venter.
What to demand in your RFQ
SAPPMA advises that the following requirements should be built into every Request for Quotation (RFQ) for plastic piping systems:
- Quality systems: ISO 9001 certificate or approved quality management plan, with copies of recent audit reports.
- Product certification: Compliance with the correct SANS standards (e.g. SANS ISO 4427-2 for HDPE, SANS 966-1 for uPVC).
- Material certification: Evidence that only virgin raw materials are used and no bought-in recycled materials have been used.
- Traceability: Full batch traceability linking raw materials to finished pipes.
- Testing compliance: Independent laboratory test results for each supplied batch.
- SAPPMA membership: A valid certificate plus the latest SAPPMA audit report.
Inspections on delivery
On delivery, purchasers should always check that:
- Pipes are clearly marked in accordance with the relevant standard and carry both the certification body’s logo and the SAPPMA mark.
- Dimensions (outer diameter, wall thickness, ovality) match the specification.
- Pipes are free of visible defects such as cracks, scratches, gouges or missing rubber seals.
Red flags to watch out for
SAPPMA advises buyers to be wary of unrealistically low prices. If a tender price seems suspiciously cheap compared to current polymer costs, it probably indicates corners are being cut. Another red flag is a closed factories. “A reputable manufacturer should be willing to allow unannounced inspections during production,” Venter says.
Quality saves in the long run
Infrastructure is a long-term investment and plastic pipes are engineered to deliver reliable service for half a century or more. However, this will only happen if they are manufactured to strict standards and audited for compliance. The short-term saving from buying a cheaper, inferior pipe is quickly erased when it fails prematurely.
Always insist on the SAPPMA mark
SAPPMA’s advice to purchasers is clear: choose quality, choose standards, choose the SAPPMA mark. “With SAPPMA-certified pipes you can have confidence that you are getting products that will perform safely and reliably for decades. Without that assurance, you are simply gambling with your project, your budget and your reputation,” concludes Venter.