CSA Standard B483 An Overview Scott Macdonald Envirogard Products Limited

Discussion Points CSA B483CSA B483 –Background & history –Basics –Products affected –Future of B483 Canadian Regulatory StructureCanadian Regulatory Structure –Background –Related to B483 Effect on water treatment industryEffect on water treatment industry –Manufacturers –Dealers

A word about CSA CSA International is an internationally recognized testing laboratory accredited by Standards Council of Canada and Occupational Safety & Health Administration, UL and ANSI.CSA International is an internationally recognized testing laboratory accredited by Standards Council of Canada and Occupational Safety & Health Administration, UL and ANSI. CSA is the most widely accepted certification mark in Canada for manufacturers and consumers.CSA is the most widely accepted certification mark in Canada for manufacturers and consumers. CSA marks are accepted by regulatory authorities in the occupational health and safety, electrical, gas, building, plumbing and many other fields in the U.S. and Canada.CSA marks are accepted by regulatory authorities in the occupational health and safety, electrical, gas, building, plumbing and many other fields in the U.S. and Canada.

CSA B483 - Background Desired by Ottawa when Bill C14 failedDesired by Ottawa when Bill C14 failed –(i.e. regulate through the plumbing code) Helped along by Quebec who wanted to regulateHelped along by Quebec who wanted to regulate Facilitated by CSA as the creator of plumbing standards in Canada.Facilitated by CSA as the creator of plumbing standards in Canada.

CSA B483 - Background Most are familiar withMost are familiar with –CSA standards like B125 for plumbing or with CSA marks on plumbing products –NSF/ANSI Standards which are material safety, product performance and mechanical integrity based. B483 is essentially the NSF/ANSI standards and some mechanical provisions added to harmonize them with the mechanical requirements of the Canadian Plumbing Code for similar componentsB483 is essentially the NSF/ANSI standards and some mechanical provisions added to harmonize them with the mechanical requirements of the Canadian Plumbing Code for similar components Some mechanical Requirements Of Canadian Plumbing Code CSA B483 +

CSA B483 - Background These mechanical provisions relate to fittings/components such as faucets, valves, diverters, tubing, etc.These mechanical provisions relate to fittings/components such as faucets, valves, diverters, tubing, etc. Additional tests beyond those in ANSI/NSF standards are required such as:Additional tests beyond those in ANSI/NSF standards are required such as: –Lifecycle on/off – (Valves diverters & swing spouts) –Quality of coating finishes – e.g. corrosion, flaking etc. –Thermal cycling for faucet devices –Electrical components must meet CSA standards. –Backflow preventer tests, where applicable –Solenoid tests, if used –Open tank overflow prevention

CSA B483 – Products Affected POE and POU products that currently fall under any of the NSF/ANSI standards. Additional POE products with no standard.POE and POU products that currently fall under any of the NSF/ANSI standards. Additional POE products with no standard. POU products have to comply with all applicable NSF/ANSI requirements PLUS B483 requirements.POU products have to comply with all applicable NSF/ANSI requirements PLUS B483 requirements. All POE products have to comply only with the material safety and mechanical integrity requirements and not the performance requirement of the applicable NSF/ANSI std.All POE products have to comply only with the material safety and mechanical integrity requirements and not the performance requirement of the applicable NSF/ANSI std. –This was proposed by industry to help with POE devices assembled in low volumes and many variations Other products affectedOther products affected –filters in refrigerators, –perhaps filters in water coolers or water coolers themselves.

CSA B483 – What’s in future? May see both the NSF/ANSI logo and the CSA B483 logo or just the B483 logo on productsMay see both the NSF/ANSI logo and the CSA B483 logo or just the B483 logo on products Further meetings of the Committee may result in changes to the standard and the ultimate form existing at the time of the next edition of the Code (2010) will be the one included.Further meetings of the Committee may result in changes to the standard and the ultimate form existing at the time of the next edition of the Code (2010) will be the one included. If you want to join and participate contact Kevin Wong (CWQA) for details.If you want to join and participate contact Kevin Wong (CWQA) for details.

Canadian Regulatory Structure & B483 Feds do research, direct discussion for legislation and regulation and arm twist the provinces as best they can to work as a unified whole especially where health is concerned.Feds do research, direct discussion for legislation and regulation and arm twist the provinces as best they can to work as a unified whole especially where health is concerned. But the provinces are in charge of water quality regulations and they may regulate as they see fit.But the provinces are in charge of water quality regulations and they may regulate as they see fit. After B483 standard publishes, provinces can choose to adopt it in whole, or in part, in their regulatory requirements.After B483 standard publishes, provinces can choose to adopt it in whole, or in part, in their regulatory requirements. Adoption by a province, likely through regulation, also takes time as they typically go through a review of their current regulations and usually (but not always) ask for public input to the changes.Adoption by a province, likely through regulation, also takes time as they typically go through a review of their current regulations and usually (but not always) ask for public input to the changes. Feds (Research, Discussion & Regulation) Provinces (Regulate as they See fit) COMPLIANCE

Canadian Regulatory Structure & B483 B483 published on April 19 th, 2007B483 published on April 19 th, 2007 Some Provinces may choose to wait until it is part of the National code before adopting it.Some Provinces may choose to wait until it is part of the National code before adopting it. It will not be included in the National Plumbing Code until 2010 (next update)It will not be included in the National Plumbing Code until 2010 (next update) It can be adopted by any province after being published as a CSA standardIt can be adopted by any province after being published as a CSA standard Therefore, new regulations won’t happen immediately right across the countryTherefore, new regulations won’t happen immediately right across the country Likely that by 2010 (or shortly thereafter) most provinces will regulate to B483 standardLikely that by 2010 (or shortly thereafter) most provinces will regulate to B483 standard

B483 & the Provinces as of Now Quebec plans to modify its current regulations shortly and may adopt it in whole or part this year through the regulatory process (including public discussion we hope). Ontario has expressed interest in reviewing and adopting it through regulatory change Alberta has expressed some interest at this point

B483 – Effect on Our Industry Depends onDepends on –What products you are involved with –Where you are selling - which province(s) ManufacturersManufacturers –Are more or less along in the process of testing to NSF/ANSI standards and some additional testing that may be required for certain products to comply with B483 –Timeline depends on the two factors above

B483 – Effect on Our Industry Depends onDepends on –What products you are involved with –Where you are selling - which province(s) DealersDealers –Those purchasing certified complete products (POU and POE ) will likely see those product acquire the new B483 standard (more or less quickly) based on the two factors above - so little change –those buying uncertified complete products (POU and POE) – will have more or less time to certify those products to B483 or switch to buying certified products depending on the two factors above, the latter is more likely due to cost of certifying

B483 – Effect on Our Industry Dealers selling POU or POE products under their own brandDealers selling POU or POE products under their own brand –will need companion certifications from the manufacturer (may be an administrative charge ) or –will drop the private label Those assembling POU products from componentsThose assembling POU products from components –Will have to certify these products to B483 – unlikely due to high cost Those assembling POE products Those assembling POE products –Will need to acquire certified components only and then get their assembled product certified (should not be that costly) or switch to purchasing complete certified units

For further information Canadian Water Quality Association 295 The West Mall, Suite 330 Toronto, ON M9C 4Z4 Tel: Fax: Toll Free: