Plumbing Manufacturers International Applauds Passage of INFORM Consumers Act in 2023 Omnibus Spending Package

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) CEO and Executive Director Kerry Stackpole applauded the passage of the Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) Consumers Act as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which was signed into law on Dec. 29, 2022.

“The INFORM Consumers Act will help combat the online sale of stolen and counterfeit consumer products, including plumbing products, by ensuring transparency of high-volume third-party sellers in online retail marketplaces," Stackpole said. This common-sense measure, a top priority for PMI in the 117^th Congress, “will help law enforcement, manufacturers, retailers, and online marketplaces to work together to protect consumers from bad actors hawking counterfeit and stolen goods,” he stated. "We particularly want to thank Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), for championing this important legislation.”

The act specifically directs online marketplaces to verify high-volume third-party sellers by authenticating the seller’s government ID, tax ID, bank account information, and contact information. High-volume third-party sellers are defined as vendors who have made 200 or more discrete sales in a 12-month period amounting to $5,000 or more. The bill’s requirements will be implemented by the Federal Trade Commission and violators would be subject to civil penalties. The act will allow every state attorney general to enforce the law’s provisions.

About Plumbing Manufacturers International

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) is the trade association of plumbing product manufacturers that produce more than 90% of the United States’ plumbing products, represent more than 150 iconic brands, and develop safe, reliable and innovative water-efficient plumbing technologies. PMI members contribute more than 464,000 jobs and $85.5 billion in economic impact to America's economy.

With a vision of safe, responsible plumbing – always, PMI advocates for plumbing product performance contributing to water efficiency and savings, sustainability, public health and safety, and consumer satisfaction through its Rethink Water initiative and other programs. PMI members manufacture water-efficient toilets, urinals, faucets, showerheads and other products at more than 70 locations across the country and market them online and in more than 24,000 home improvement stores, hardware stores and showrooms in all 50 states. For more information on PMI, contact the organization at 1750 Tysons Blvd., Ste. 1500, McLean, Va., 22102; tel.: [phone]; fax: [phone]. safeplumbing.org.