NORMI Brings Connecticut Mold Professionals Together to Support New State Mold Legislation and Protect Consumers

The National Organization of Remediators and Microbial Inspectors (NORMI) will host a special Connecticut Mold Professionals Meet ’n Greet on Aug. 27 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Hartford, 1 Day Hill Road, Windsor, Connecticut 06095.

The event is designed to bring Connecticut mold assessors, remediators, restoration contractors, and other indoor environmental professionals together for an important discussion about the state’s new mold legislation—and, more importantly, what it will take to put those requirements into practice in a way that protects Connecticut consumers.

ISSA, The Association for Cleaning & Facility Solutions, will join NORMI in encouraging industry education, collaboration, and higher professional standards.

Moving from legislation to real-world protection

Passing legislation is only the first step. Effective consumer protection ultimately depends upon the professionals performing the work understanding the requirements, applying recognized standards and consistently following sound assessment and remediation practices in the field.

NORMI believes professional organizations have an important role in helping bridge that gap.

For more than two decades, NORMI has focused on training and certifying professionals involved in mold assessment, remediation and indoor environmental quality. As Connecticut implements its new mold requirements, NORMI is working to help professionals understand not simply what the law requires, but how those requirements can be translated into responsible professional practice.

“NORMI’s goal is not simply to help professionals comply with another regulation,” said Doug Hoffman, NORMI executive director. “Our goal is to help Connecticut develop an environment in which qualified professionals, recognized industry standards and appropriate regulatory oversight work together to protect the public. When mold assessment and remediation are performed correctly, everybody benefits—the consumer, the contractor and the industry.”

Supporting recognized industry standards

A major topic of the evening will be the role of the IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation and how mold professionals can support and properly apply recognized remediation standards while meeting Connecticut’s evolving regulatory requirements.

Discussions will also address the relationship between mold assessment and remediation and the importance of maintaining clearly defined professional responsibilities throughout a mold project.

“All workers who clean face challenges with removing and cleaning mold,” said Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, senior director of the Making Safer Choices program at ISSA. “The new law in Connecticut is going to be strongly supported by the NORMI/ISSA Combo Membership and the resources it offers for education, training, and networking with fellow professional workers.”

NORMI has also invited a spokesperson from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection to participate in the evening, giving professionals an opportunity to hear the regulatory perspective and strengthening communication between those responsible for implementing the law and those performing the work in the field.

An invitation to connecticut mold professionals

The Meet ’n Greet is intentionally designed as a conversation rather than a traditional classroom program.

Attendees will have an opportunity to network with other Connecticut professionals, discuss the new legislation, ask questions and explore how training, certification, recognized standards and cooperation with state regulators can help create greater consistency throughout the mold industry.

Topics will include Connecticut’s new mold legislation, regulatory compliance, IICRC S520, mold assessment and remediation practices, consumer protection and professional networking.

NORMI encourages mold assessors, remediators, restoration professionals, indoor air quality professionals and others whose work may be affected by Connecticut’s new requirements to attend.

“This is an opportunity for the professional community to be part of the solution,” Hoffman said. “Regulation alone cannot create quality. Quality comes when knowledgeable professionals understand the standards, understand their responsibilities and recognize that protecting the consumer has to remain the ultimate objective.”

Connecticut Mold Professionals Meet ’n Greet

Thursday, Aug. 27, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott Hartford Windsor Room 1 Day Hill Road Windsor, CT 06095

Space is limited. Connecticut cleaning, mold, and restoration professionals are encouraged to RSVP and participate. Send your RSVP to Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner at [email protected] or Abby Spallino with NORMI at [email protected]