By Eamonn Ryan
George Diliyannis, senior application engineer at plastics manufacturing company Safripol, shared his company’s experience navigating international standards during the launch event of CEISLAB SA in South Africa on 4 February.
Diliyannis concluded by expressing gratitude for the support received from AENOR and its partners. © RACA Journal
Diliyannis reflected on the challenges and successes Safripol encountered while aligning its polyethylene materials with global norms, particularly ISO 4427, the international standard for polyethylene raw materials used in water pipes.
Beginning its journey with international standards in 2008, Safripol faced significant hurdles, including the need to redevelop their material to meet the revised ISO standards for the slow crack growth properties of the material. This transition required a collaboration with an Australian company to ensure compliance, a process that eventually helped Safripol meet local South African standards (as the ISO standard was adopted verbatim in South Africa as a SANS standard). However, as the global market evolved, Safripol soon found that local standards alone were no longer sufficient. In 2021, the company was faced with a request from a European customer for AENOR certification—a crucial step for expanding its market reach.
Diliyannis emphasised the importance of local support and a collaborative approach with certification bodies like AENOR on its gas and water products. Despite the increased demands on its laboratory resources and quality control testing, Safripol viewed these challenges as business enablers. The company achieved AENOR certification for its polyethylene pipe products in 2022 and for its recycled PET products in 2023. This certification process, which Diliyannis described as rigorous yet valuable, involved extensive testing and continuous product improvements, which were facilitated by the partnership with AENOR.
“Standards are not just hurdles to overcome; they are enablers,” Diliyannis stated, highlighting that the certifications provided not only compliance but a solid foundation for continuous product development. He also underscored the importance of local testing, with Safripol now working with CEIS laboratories in South Africa to ensure ongoing product quality.
The company’s commitment to maintaining high standards has positioned it as a competitive player in both the South African and international markets. Safripol’s products, once primarily focused on local applications, now meet the expectations of global markets, particularly in Europe. This shift in focus has also been supported by AENOR’s comprehensive understanding of market demands and its willingness to share valuable insights into evolving industry trends.
Diliyannis concluded by expressing gratitude for the support received from AENOR and its partners. The company’s journey reflects not only a commitment to improving product quality but also to understanding the broader global market. With certifications like AENOR, Safripol is better equipped to continue its growth, ensuring that its products meet the highest industry standards, both locally and globally.
“We’re excited to continue developing our products for the South African market, while also expanding our reach beyond our borders,” he added, reaffirming Safripol’s dedication to its home market and the global community.
