Lead in plumbing products
As part of the Building Code update, amendments to Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 Water Supplies have been made to limit the maximum allowable lead content in certain plumbing products.
Complying with the lead in plumbing provision
As part of the Building Code update consultation, The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) proposed to limit the allowable lead content in plumbing products which contain copper alloys and are intended for use in contact with potable water. Following high levels of support, MBIE decided to proceed with the proposed changes to Acceptable Solution G12/AS1. The transition period for this change will end on 1 September 2025.
Read more about the Building Code update consultation outcomes.
What this means for you
The lead in plumbing product provision within Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 will come into effect on 1 September 2025. From 1 September 2025, any product that contains copper alloy and is intended for use in contact with potable water for human consumption must have a weighted average lead content of no more than 0.25% to comply with G12/AS1.
Examples of products that this will apply to include:
- copper alloy fittings
- stainless-steel braided hoses
- valves (such as valves for isolation, backflow prevention, alteration of pressure and temperature)
- taps and mixers
- water meters
- pumps (for use with cold and heated water services)
- water heaters
- residential water filtration equipment
- water dispensers (such as boiling and cooling units, drinking fountains and bottle fillers)
- fire sprinkler systems connected to the cold water service that are not isolated from fixtures and fittings intended to supply water for human consumption.
Examples of products it will not apply to include:
- showers and baths for bathing, including shower and bath mixers
- emergency showers, eye wash and/or face wash equipment
- pumps used for irrigation, fire-fighting or other non- potable water purposes
- fire-fighting water services and equipment
- appliances, including washing machines and dishwashers
- commercial boilers associated with heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
- sanitary fixtures (such as toilets, cistern inlet valves, bidets, urinals)
- non-potable water systems (such as recycled water systems)
- products used exclusively for non-potable uses such as manufacturing, industrial processing, irrigation or any other uses where the water is not anticipated to be used for human consumption.
Identifying Compliant Products
There are a number of ways in which products that comply with the new lead in plumbing product provision may be identified:
- Building Product Information Requirements – The new regulations place obligations on New Zealand based building product manufacturers, importers, retailers and distributers to state how their product complies with the relevant Building Code Clause. Building product information should clearly state how an in-scope plumbing product is expected to contribute to compliance with Building Code clause G12.3.2 (c).
- International Product Certification Scheme markings - International Product Certification Scheme markings can indicate compliance with equivalent requirements in other jurisdictions provision.
- The Australian Lead Free WaterMark Mark of Conformity
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited third-part certification body Lead Free certification marks - How to Identify Lead-Free Certification Marks for Drinking Water System and Plumbing Materials [PDF 5.8MB] - nepis.epa.gov
- The Australian Lead Free WaterMark Mark of Conformity
- NSF/ANSI/CAN 372:2020 test report – A test report provided by a test facility with IANZ or equivalent accreditation in accordance with NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 which verifies that a product has a weighted average lead content of ≤ 0.25%.