By Eamonn Ryan
In a landmark announcement, CEISLAB South Africa has committed to elevating the standard of plastics testing in Africa.
Looking ahead, CEISLAB SA aims to continue its support for the South African plastic piping industry. © RACA Journal
To enhance its offering, CEISLAB SA has partnered with global certification body, ANAB. This partnership enables the laboratory to provide internationally recognised certifications, ensuring compliance with global standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and others crucial to the plastics and piping industries.
CEISLAB SA is also leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline its operations. The laboratory has introduced an AI-powered request handling system that automates the entire process, from request submission to results delivery. Although automated, the system is rigorously monitored by CEISLAB SA’s experts to ensure accuracy and quality control.
Despite these technological advancements, Marberg emphasised that these capabilities should be seen as the minimum standard expected from any modern testing laboratory. “We believe that this level of service should be the new norm, not only for us but for the entire industry in South Africa,” he said.
CEISLAB has seen a shift in the types of testing being requested globally, with failure investigations now accounting for around 70% of their work. This change highlights a growing demand for root cause analysis and problem-solving, driven by concerns about poor-quality control and manufacturing failures that have led to significant failures in pipelines and other critical infrastructure.
In response, CEISLAB SA has initiated a partnership with the South African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) to enforce higher standards across the industry. “In 2024 alone, we donated over R150 000 in testing services to SAPPMA to support the enforcement of industry standards and ensure a level playing field for all manufacturers,” Marberg noted. “This is just the beginning. We are committed to doubling this contribution over the next three years.”
Looking ahead, CEISLAB SA aims to continue its support for the South African plastic piping industry while expanding its focus to include the HVAC&R sector. As Marberg explained, high-quality testing and certification are crucial for ensuring that materials used in construction meet international standards, reducing the risk of failures, delays and costly repairs. By partnering with the industries such as HVAC&R, CEISLAB SA hopes to contribute to the building of safer and more reliable infrastructure across South Africa and beyond.
“The value of certified, high-quality materials in construction cannot be overstated. Our goal is to streamline the quality assurance process, enabling contractors to focus on project execution, confident in the durability and compliance of the materials they are using.”
