Choose Direct, Island Express, Steve Barbarich, Choosedirect.com, Choosehottubsdirect.com YOU MUST CONTACT THE BBB. 0f OAKLAND CA. san francisco, California

Virginia Graeme Baker Act Requirements Effective December 19, 2008

Drain Cover Requirement Effective December 19, 2008:
Each swimming pool or spa drain cover manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States shall conform to ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs, published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will enforce compliance with the Act as a consumer product safety rule. This requirement applies to suction outlet covers for all pools and spas including residential portable hot tubs.

Manufacturer and Owner Responsibility:
As of December 19, 2008, it will be a violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act to sell or offer to sell or introduce into commerce any drain cover that does not meet the ASME/ANSI A112.19.82007 standard. Existing covers that meet the earlier edition of this standard (1987) will be in violation.

As stated in the article posting these spas are in fact using non-compliant drain covers and therefore in direct violation of the law.

Virginia Graeme Baker Act Requirements Effective December 19, 2008

Drain Cover Requirement Effective December 19, 2008:
Each swimming pool or spa drain cover manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States shall conform to ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs, published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will enforce compliance with the Act as a consumer product safety rule. This requirement applies to suction outlet covers for all pools and spas including residential portable hot tubs.

Manufacturer and Owner Responsibility:
As of December 19, 2008, it will be a violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act to sell or offer to sell or introduce into commerce any drain cover that does not meet the ASME/ANSI A112.19.82007 standard. Existing covers that meet the earlier edition of this standard (1987) will be in violation.

As stated in the article posting these spas are in fact using non-compliant drain covers and therefore in direct violation of the law.

It has been determined that Stephen Barbarich and his company Choosedirect has been and still is, knowingly and unlawfully selling illegal Hot Tubs in the US for 2 years that are not in compliance with US Law as determined by the CPSC, concerning consumer product safety. The spas do not have ANY federally approved safety certifications such as UL or ETL. This is required by US Law and falls under the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Any device sold in the United States that involves electricity, plumbing and potentially harmful materials such as fiberglass resins,plastics and manufacturing processes that can potentially leave harmful residues, odors,etc, must be properly inspected and certified as safe for consumer use.

These spas are unreliable and dangerous and anyone owning one of these spas needs to immediately cease use of the product and seek immediate refund. if nothing more than the simple fact they are NOT certified safe.

Look on your spa for the UL certification mark OR the ETL certification mark. You will NOT find one ANYWHERE! Do not let this company fool you into believing their product is safe. It is NOT. You may find a CE marking, but this certification is NOT acceptable in the US. IT is ONLY accepted in European Union Countries and does NOT meet U.S. safety polices. Understand that just because a single device on your spa has a CE, UL or ETL marking, does NOT certify the spa as CERTIFIED. The manufacturer MUST pay UL or ETL Labs a fee for complete product testing and is them issued a certificate number that is placed on the product and can be traced back to the UL or ETL lab for verification. Also note that alot of import products slip under customs inspections with falsified records and fake certification stickers.

See the included certification logos you should look for...

As a final note I had a conversation with a New York State Pool Professional who stated to me that this spa is also not in compliance with the recent federal mandated Virginia Graeme Baker Law, which clearly states that all Hot Tubs being sold in the U.S. Must have ASME A112.19.8-2007 rated anti-entrapment suction fittings. Once again these spas do not have any such ratings or even meet the standards of the ratings and are being sold illegally.

Ultimately this product for the last 2 years must be recalled for being dangerous and unreliable. If you have fallen victim to this company and purchased their product it has failed to perform as expected, or you have sustained any injury, personal or property, no matter how minor, contact the CPSC as soon as possible and file a complaint. This company must be held accountable for their actions.

Go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx to file your complaint.