ASSE International

What ASSE International does

ASSE International, founded in 1906 as the American Society of Sanitary Engineering and headquartered in Mokena, Illinois, is an ANSI-accredited standards developer and ANAB- and SCC-accredited third-party product and personnel certification body serving the plumbing and mechanical industries. Its core outputs are 50+ product performance standards (e.g., ASSE 1013 reduced pressure backflow preventers, ASSE 1017 temperature-actuated mixing valves) and 13 professional qualifications standards organized into numbered series (5000 cross-connection control, 6000 medical gas, 12000 infection control, 15000 fire protection, 19000 hydronic, 21000 rainwater catchment, 22000 water treatment). These standards are incorporated into US model plumbing codes (UPC, IPC) and Canadian National Standards, giving them quasi-regulatory force.

The organization operates a five-stream revenue model: product listing fees from manufacturers, personnel certification and recertification fees from individual tradespeople, standards publication sales through the ASSE Webstore and IAPMO Bookstore, membership dues, and annual meeting/event revenue. Customer segments include licensed plumbers and pipefitters, plumbing product manufacturers, code inspectors, healthcare facilities (medical gas, Legionella, infection control), fire protection professionals, water utilities, and HVAC engineers. ASSE is a wholly owned subsidiary of IAPMO R&T and operates a 30-chapter community across the US, Canada, and International regions, with standards developed through ANSI-accredited industry consensus committees.

Distribution combines direct e-commerce (ASSE Webstore, IAPMO Bookstore), searchable online certification directories, approved third-party testing laboratories, and a chapter-based member network. Recent strategic activity has focused on extending the qualifications franchise into adjacent verticals — fuel gas (ASSE 18000 in development), water treatment (Series 22000-2026 launched), and Legionella water safety (ASSE 12080) — and on geographic formalization in Canada (chapter established 2024) and Israel (2020 standards licensing agreement).

Name

ASSE International

Legal name

ASSE International

Website

https://asse-plumbing.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1906

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ASSE International is an ANSI- and ANAB-accredited standards developer and certification body for the plumbing and mechanical industries, issuing 50+ product standards and 13 professional qualifications standards and serving plumbers, manufacturers, inspectors, and utilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mokena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Product Certification: Third-party product certification services for plumbing and mechanical products, testing to strict performance requirements of product standards.
2. Personnel Certification: Professional certification programs for specialized segments of the industry including backflow prevention, medical gas, fire protection, and other plumbing specialties.
3. Standards Publications: Sale of product performance standards and professional qualifications standards documents through the ASSE Webstore.
4. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to benefits including discounted standards, publications, event registration, and committee participation.
5. Annual Meeting and Events: Conference registration fees, sponsorship opportunities, and event-related revenue from annual meetings and technical seminars.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ASSE International is an ANSI-accredited standards developer and ANAB-accredited product certification body serving the plumbing and mechanical industries. It develops product performance standards (50+) and professional qualifications standards (13), and operates third-party product certification and personnel certification programs focused on backflow prevention, thermostatic mixing, medical gas systems, fire protection, infection control, hydronic systems, and rainwater catchment. The organization generates revenue through certification fees, standards publication sales, membership dues, and annual meetings.

Product overview

ASSE International is a standards development organization and certification body offering a unified platform of professional and product certification services for the plumbing and mechanical industries. The core offerings consist of: (1) Product Listing Program - ANAB- and SCC-accredited third-party product certification focusing on backflow prevention and thermostatic mixing products; (2) Personnel Certification Programs - Professional certifications across multiple specialized areas including Cross-Connection Control (5000), Medical Gas Systems (6000), Infection Control (12000), Fire Protection (15000), Hydronic Systems (19000), Rainwater Catchment (21000), Water Treatment Equipment (22000), and Residential Fire Sprinkler (7000); (3) Product Performance Standards - Over 50 ANSI-accredited product standards covering plumbing components such as backflow preventers, vacuum breakers, and temperature-actuated mixing valves; (4) Professional Qualifications Standards - Standards setting minimum education and performance requirements for professionals in the industry. Technical committees and working groups support the development and revision of these standards and certification programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ASSE Product Listing Program Third-party product certification service testing plumbing and mechanical products (backflow preventers, thermostatic mixing valves, etc.) to strict ANAB and SCC-accredited performance requirements. For plumbing product manufacturers seeking market access and code compliance.
• Personnel Certification Program Professional certification programs for specialized segments of the plumbing and mechanical industry including cross-connection control (5000), medical gas systems (6000), residential fire sprinkler (7000), infection control (12000), service plumbing (13000), fire protection (15000), hydronic systems (19000), rainwater catchment (21000), and water treatment equipment (22000). For licensed professionals and employers requiring qualified personnel.
• Product Performance Standards ANSI-accredited product performance standards developed through industry consensus detailing how plumbing products function under normal operating conditions, including testing procedures and requirements for performance, health, and safety. Includes standards such as ASSE 1001 (Atmospheric Type Vacuum Breakers), ASSE 1013 (Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assemblies), ASSE 1015 (Double Check Backflow Prevention Assemblies), and ASSE 1017 (Temperature Actuated Mixing Valves). Sold as individual documents through the ASSE Webstore.
• Professional Qualifications Standards ANSI-accredited standards developed through industry consensus that set minimum education and performance requirements for professionals who test, install, inspect, and maintain water and sanitation systems. Includes ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 5000 (Cross-Connection Control), Series 6000 (Medical Gas Systems Personnel), Series 12000 (Water Management and Infection Control, including Legionella Water Safety and Management), Series 15000 (Fire Protection Systems), Series 19000 (Hydronic Systems), and Series 21000 (Rainwater Catchment Systems). Sold as individual documents through the ASSE Webstore.
• ASSE Membership Annual membership program providing access to committee participation in standards development, discounted standards and publications, event registration discounts, and professional networking through 30 chapters across the US, Canada, and International. For plumbing and mechanical industry professionals and manufacturers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Texas State Plumbing Board adopted ASSE Professional Qualifications Standard for Medical Gas Systems Personnel
• +2 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Standards Institution of Israel (SII)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 3 August 2020ASSE International entered into a license agreement with the Standards Institution of Israel for international standards licensing.
• Special Pathogens LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2020IAPMO and Special Pathogens Laboratory partnered to offer the ASSE 12080 training program for Legionella Water Safety and Management certification.
• ViegaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2016Viega was approved by ASSE International to offer Series 19000 Hydronic training, providing industry-recognized professional development.
• IAPMO R&T (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSE International is a wholly owned subsidiary of IAPMO R&T. The organizations share leadership, staff, and resources, with ASSE focused on standards development and certification specific to backflow prevention and professional qualifications, while IAPMO handles broader plumbing and mechanical codes.
• ANSI (American National Standards Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSE International is an ANSI-accredited standards developer. ASSE product and professional qualifications standards are developed and revised through the ANSI-accredited standards development process.
• ANAB (American National Accreditation Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSE International is an ANAB-accredited product certification body. The Product Listing Program is ANAB-accredited for third-party product certification.
• SCC (Standards Council of Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSE International holds SCC accreditation and is designated as a National Standard of Canada. ASSE standards are harmonized for use in both the US and Canada.
• CSA GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSE and CSA Group have released harmonized standards including ASSE 1003/CSA B356 for Pressure Reducing Devices, developed jointly for use in both US and Canada.
• HC InfominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHC Info's online courses were approved for ASSE 12080 Legionella Certification Training, providing additional training pathways for professionals.
• ARCSA (American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-published ASSE/ARCSA/IAPMO/ANSI Series 21000 for Rainwater Catchment Systems Personnel professional qualifications standard.
• Water Systems CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSE International and Water Systems Council co-published performance requirements for pitless adapters, pitless units, and well caps (ASSE 1093/WSC PAS 97).
• IWSH (International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSE supports IWSH through donations, aligning with the organization's mission to improve global water and sanitation systems.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCu2bNL9J8viudtMJ3NFko4g
• Xx.com/ASSE_Intl

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASSE International