Trade and Export of Water-Related Technologies

The plumbing sector in the United States is a $92 billion industry that employs more than 500,000 people through approximately 106,000 businesses. The U.S. plumbing-manufacturing sector represents an $8.4 billion part of the total plumbing industry. More importantly, this is a sector that is growing, with domestic demand for plumbing products expected to rise 6.3 percent to $12.3 billion in 2019.

The International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Top Markets Report identified several key market access challenges that the U.S. plumbing manufacturers face in growing exports. These challenges include:

  • Tariffs

  • Regulations, particularly water conservation-related

  • Standards and conformity assessment

  • Counterfeit issues — brand and performance claims

  • Access to market intelligence, trade promotion opportunity

  • Information regarding and access to trade finance

IAPMO supports policies and program that facilitate the growth of trade and the exports of water-related products and technologies. In May 2019, IAPMO was awarded the President’s E-Award by the US Department of Commerce .IAPMO also received the President’s E-Star Award in June 2024. These distinguished honors celebrate the impact IAPMO’s work has had in building local industries, economies and trade in developing countries.

 
 
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Maintain funding for the US Department of Commerce’s Foreign Commercial Service and Export Assistance Centers

The Export Assistance Centers (EACs) and Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) provide incredible value to U.S. industry looking to expand overseas export opportunities and to remove/prevent barriers to trade. These U.S. government representatives, based in major metropolitan areas around the world, play an important role as a voice for U.S. industry and as a liaison for companies that are seeking to expand into new markets or are facing non-tariff barriers. Industry is concerned by efforts to reduce the size of the Foreign Commercial Service and to close offices overseas. This cadre of commercial specialists gives US industry the overseas reach and expertise required to effectively promote trade and address trade issues.

 
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Funding of Commerce’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP)

MDCP provides financial and technical assistance to support projects that encourage U.S. companies to export. Projects range in scope from helping companies to secure export financing to address non-tariff barriers to U.S. exports such as discriminatory regulations, local content requirements, and onerous conformity assessment requirements. To date, more than 150 MDCP projects have been funded, targeting 46 different export markets. MDCP awards have gone to organizations in 31 states and the District of Columbia. On average, each MDCP project generates $97 million in exports over the project period, or about $32 million per year. MDCP is an important tool in achieving the vision of the U.S. government Global Water Strategy, addressing trade barriers, encouraging innovation, increasing exports, and ensuring global competitiveness.