The National Spa and Pool Institute (better known as the NSPI) is a watchdog organisation which has the interests of the industry as a whole at heart. This means it is there for the benefit of pool builders and other members as well as pool owners.

Formed in the Western Cape in July 1972, the NSPI owes its origins to the American NSPI, formed two decades earlier than ours. The world’s swimming pool industry started in the USA, but ours was not far behind. Our first swimming pool company of note was Penguin Pools, formed by Dr Michael Finn in Johannesburg in 1956. In Cape Town, Tony Goldie was an industry leader who joined the American NSPI after a trip to the US in 1968; and it was he who was instrumental in launching an institute here. Today there are more than 100 members and the numbers are growing annually. Tony is an honorary life member of the South African NSPI.

From the start, the idea has been that the NSPI will provide pool owners with ‘peace of mind’. Only companies
that have been in business for at least two years, trading under the same name, may join. They must also pass stringent financial checks. No company with a judgement against it may join, and the owners and directors must undertake to abide by a strict code of ethics. Both big and small companies operate under the
umbrella of the NSPI, and every pool construction type is represented – concrete, gunite, fibreglass and vinyl.

THE NSPI CODE OF ETHICS

• Strive continually to gain respect for the industry at all
  levels – national, community, local.

• Establish the highest possible standards in relation to
  health, safety and public welfare in the installation,
  maintenance and operation of swimming pools.

• Support all efforts to improve swimming pool products
  and service; establish and maintain standards and
  encourage the research and development of new materials
  and methods.

• Design and build in a manner compatible in every
  respect with public health and safety, and comply with all
  applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.

• Advertise and sell on the merits of products and refrain
  from attacking competitors or reflecting unfairly on their
  products, services and business methods.

• Fulfil all contractual obligations. Offer a reasonable
  warranty of products and services and honour such
  warranties, either written or implied, where justifiable.

• Advertise ethically in the bona fide prices and products
  and refrain from the use of unethical advertising methods.
  Reveal all material facts; avoid concealment of information
  and avoid the use of advertising innuendoes which might
  be misleading.

• Uphold the concept of free enterprise and service to
  the public.

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE

Article sourced from the NSPI website: http://www.nspi.co.za/ with their full knowledge and permission.