The Bathroom Association is pleased to announce that In Compliance and IAPMO will jointly serve as silver sponsors of the annual Connect Conference 2026.
Their sponsorship follows the recent announcement that In Compliance has joined the IAPMO family, bringing together complementary expertise in international product compliance and global market access.
The conference will take place on Thursday 8 October at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers and industry partners for a day of insight, discussion and valuable connections.
This year’s conference theme, ‘Stronger Together’, explores how greater collaboration across the bathroom sector can strengthen perseverance, support sustainable growth and deliver better outcomes for businesses and their customers.
The new relationship between In Compliance and IAPMO reflects that theme in practice. By combining their knowledge and capabilities, the two organisations aim to provide manufacturers with more comprehensive support as they navigate increasingly complex international standards, regulatory requirements and certification pathways.
Founded and led by Managing Director Jutta Emge-Degenhardt, In Compliance is a German-based consultancy specialising in international product approvals for plumbing products, systems and components, particularly those that come into contact with drinking water.
The business helps manufacturers understand and meet regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions, covering product standards, approval and certification routes, and strategies for accessing international markets.
IAPMO provides expertise in standards development, product testing and certification, helping manufacturers demonstrate that their products meet applicable safety, quality and performance requirements. The addition of In Compliance establishes a broader and more structured global consulting capability alongside IAPMO’s existing services, while maintaining the appropriate independence between advisory and certification activities.
Jutta Emge-Degenhardt, Managing Director of In Compliance, said:
“We are delighted to again support the Bathroom Association’s Connect Conference alongside IAPMO. Manufacturers are increasingly required to navigate complex and differing regulatory frameworks when bringing products to international markets.
“By sharing our knowledge and working collaboratively, we can help businesses better understand those requirements and identify the most appropriate routes to product approval and market access.”
John Watson, Executive Vice President at IAPMO, said:
“We are proud to support the annual Connect Conference 2026. Bringing ourselves and In Compliance together enables us to offer manufacturers an even stronger combination of technical, regulatory and market expertise.
“The conference theme closely reflects our belief that shared knowledge is essential in helping manufacturers navigate complex markets with confidence, and we look forward to connecting with like-minded delegates in October.”
Amy Kirk, Marketing and Events Director at the Bathroom Association, said:
“We are delighted to welcome IAPMO and In Compliance as Silver Sponsors of Connect Conference 2026. Both organisations provide valuable expertise and their new relationship is a strong example of how collaboration can best serve an international community.”
Connect Conference 2026 will feature a programme of keynote presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Jez Rose will deliver the morning keynote address; Rebecca Larkin, Head of Construction Research at CPA, will deliver an economic update; and entrepreneur and Trunki founder Rob Law MBE will take to the stage as the afternoon keynote speaker.
The daytime conference will be followed by an exclusive gala dinner at the Grand Hotel, including the presentation of the 2026 Thirty-under-Thirty Awards.
For further information and to book tickets, visit the Bathroom Association’s Connect Conference 2026 website.