423 892 0137  www.cispi.org In  a  recent  ad,  MWI  Import  Products  attacked the  Michigan  Plumbing  Board  for  doing  its  duty– denying  approval  of  imported  cast  iron  soil  pipe and   ttings  from  MWI  for  use  on  state  construction projects. The request for of cial approval was denied after  MWI  was  unable  to  provide  proof  that  their products conformed to applicable standards referenced in the Michigan Plumbing Code, according to a written report submitted by the Chief Plumbing Inspector. So   that   there’s   no confusion, at the Cast Iron Soil Pipe  Institute – we  believe  in free speech, healthy competition and  fair  global  trade.  But  we also believe in getting the facts right.  The  state  of  Michigan did  not  ask  the  Chinese  pipe manufacturer  to  seek  statewide approval  for  their  products,  as MWI incorrectly stated in their ad.  The  importer  of  Chinese cast iron soil pipe – MWI – asked the state of Michigan to approve the  cast  iron  products  they  were  bringing  in  from China.  So  that  we’re  clear,  MWI  is  not  a  Chinese company nor is it a manufacturer. MWI  also  claimed  the  lack  of  approval  was based on one individual’s perception. Again false. The reality is dozens of people from the Michigan Plumbing  Board  and  the  Michigan  Construction Code Commission were involved in weighing the evidence   and   making   the   decision   based   on the  technical  merits.  Close  examination  of  test reports  provided  by  MWI  consistently  revealed incomplete or inaccurate information in repeated submittals. The Michigan authorities were simply unable  to  conclude  despite  numerous  inquiries  and hearings  over  a  span  of  two  years  that  the  Chinese products  MWI  was  outsourcing  conformed  to applicable  product  standards  referenced  in  the Michigan Plumbing Code. To simply say their pipe meets standards would have been negligent. In  the  end,  MWI  would  have  you  believe that CISPI is using the codes and standards to restrict trade – a  claim  that  could  not  be  further  from the truth. Simply demanding that   foreign-made   products prove  they  meet  the  standard is  not  a  restriction  of  trade, but a legitimate, understandable requirement  of  those  entrusted with  protecting  the  health, welfa re    a nd    interest    of consumers    and    taxpayers. Requiring products to conform to  applicable  product  standards is  essential  in  today’s  world of global outsourcing. The news headlines  demonstrate  all  too well  what  can  happen  if  they  are  not  followed. Customers   should   have   the   peace   of   mind   of knowing  that  all  manufacturers,  including  those located  overseas,  have  diligently  followed  all  the necessary  quality  control  requirements  embedded in  the  standards.  Anything  less  will  not  adequately protect the customer. It’s unfortunate that MWI has chosen to play the  victim  in  this  debate  instead  of  simply providing  the  proof  that  the  Michigan  Plumbing Board  sought.  Because  the  reality  is  that  when standards  are  not  verifiably  met,  it’s  usually  the consumer that becomes the real victim. 48634 CPF PS&D.indd   1 5/20/08   2:06:19 PM