By Joe Rode
On May 14, Aaron Bores, executive vice-president of Product Development at Fortune Brands Innovations— which includes Moen Inc. — appeared before the US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property with a sobering warning: counterfeit plumbing products are putting American lives at risk. His testimony sparked a nationwide reckoning over the dangers of untested, noncompliant fixtures infiltrating homes across the country.
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In the spirit of the sharing of unique experiences that shape the plumbing industries in our respective nations, the following article looks at whether gender friendly restrooms are becoming more common at construction jobsites. Written by IAPMO staff writer Mike Flenniken, it is the next in a regular series of similar articles that will run in this magazine.
Dave Viola IAPMO CEO |
At the heart of the issue are cheap, foreign-made plumbing products — many sold through online marketplaces — that not only mimic legitimate brands, but also evade critical health and safety testing. Manufactured primarily in China, these knock-off products are being installed in American households without consumers realising the risks they pose to their families’ health and safety.
The dangers revealed: Moen and IAPMO join forces To underscore its concerns, Moen partnered with IAPMO®, the industry benchmark for plumbing product testing and certification, to investigate the safety and compliance of the top-selling off-brand faucets available online. IAPMO’s test results, presented during Bores’ Senate testimony, were alarming:
- 17 of the 19 faucets tested failed to meet drinking water health and safety standards.
- 11 products leached lead above legal limits, with one exceeding the limit by more than 500%.
- 15 faucets contained hazardous chemicals, some nearly 600% above the allowable threshold, including substances linked to cancer, liver damage and birth defects.
In a separate series of tests commissioned by Moen, IAPMO tested six foreign-made pressure balancing shower valves. All six of the valves failed to meet ASSE 1016 standards, with one valve exceeding temperature safety thresholds by 750%, raising risks of scalding and serious injury. The tested products were exact replicas of Moen’s proprietary designs — complete with counterfeit Moen logos, part numbers, and even fake certification marks. According to Bores, the counterfeit valves were so convincing that even seasoned professionals would struggle to identify them as fakes.
A swift and serious response
The gravity of these findings prompted immediate action. On the same day as the testimony, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued public warnings against four of the faucet models tested by IAPMO. That number has since grown to nine, with CPSC urging consumers to stop using, and dispose of, the affected products due to the risks of lead contamination and other toxic exposures. These health hazards can impair cognitive development in children and cause irreversible harm to pregnant women and infants.
On 29 May 2025, the CPSC escalated its response, issuing an official recall of more than 100 000 imported, non-compliant kitchen faucets sold on Amazon by brands Basdehen, Kicimpro and Vfauosit. The recalled models were sold for USD30–USD40 between January 2024 and May 2025. None of the overseas manufacturers co-operated with recall efforts.
Media and market impact
Moen’s compelling testimony — and IAPMO’s independent testing— gained national attention within hours. NBC News aired a prime time segment the night of the hearing, highlighting the presence of the faulty products still available for purchase on Amazon. The report prominently featured Tom Palkon, IAPMO’s executive vice-president and chief Technical Services officer, who was quoted on the health risks of water contaminated by non-compliant faucets. The report also noted that Amazon declined to respond to requests for comment.
The media coverage sparked a wave of public concern and put additional pressure on e-commerce platforms to take accountability. IAPMO has attempted to engage with Amazon, stressing the importance of certifying plumbing products to recognised safety standards, especially products used in drinking water systems.
Products such as kitchen faucets are required by federal law to have “lead free” certification to be sold or offered for sale in the US market. IAPMO believes the recent findings will encourage Amazon to collaborate in support of protecting consumer health and safety.
Make sure everyone knows the safety protocols
Why certification matters more than ever
At the heart of this crisis lies a critical truth: product certification protects lives. Certified products undergo rigorous third-party testing and comply with national and international plumbing codes. Displaying an IAPMO mark, like the UPC® shield, indicates that a product has passed stringent testing for both material safety and reliable performance in real-world conditions. In contrast, counterfeit products often misuse these marks, fooling consumers and even professionals. The improper use of certification marks leads to confusion, failed inspections, legal liabilities, and — most concerning— compromised public safety.
Standing up against counterfeits: A new resource for the industry Even before Moen’s testimony became national news, IAPMO was building tools to fight the growing threat of counterfeit goods.
That effort culminated in the launch of a new website resource that focuses on counterfeit products and trademark infringement. The web page is part of IAPMO’s broader mission to preserve the value of certification and protect public trust. The site empowers manufacturers, inspectors, distributors and consumers to report counterfeit products and misuse of IAPMO certification marks.
The resource can be found at www.iapmo.org/counterfeit-products- and-infringement.
Key features of the page include:
- An online portal to report suspected trademark infringement
- Information on how to verify a product’s certification through IAPMO’s official product listing directories
- Guidance for industry professionals on spotting and stopping counterfeit products
A call to action
The Senate hearing marked a turning point in the public conversation about counterfeit plumbing products. But as Moen’s testimony made clear, this issue affects every level of the supply chain — from manufacturers and inspectors to online retailers and everyday homeowners.
- IAPMO stands ready to support the industry with trusted certification, responsive enforcement, and public education. We urge all stakeholders to:
- Look for the UPC® and other official IAPMO certification marks
- Verify products in IAPMO’s online product directory
Report suspicious or counterfeit products at our Counterfeit Products and Trademark Infringement web page
Together, we can ensure that the water flowing out of plumbing products in American homes is safe, the products installed are certified, and that public trust in our industry remains strong.
