22nd of March marks the UN’s World Water Day, focused on highlighting the importance of freshwater and access to it.
NATA is planning for the future of clean water for all Australians by supporting the industry as we move towards a change in the National Construction Code.
Lead has been cited by the World Health Organization as one of the 10 chemicals of major public health concern needing action by members states. Indeed it is the chemical with the largest quantified health effects globally.
And here in Australia there has been a response. In just over two years, a change from the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) will be introduced limiting the allowable lead content in plumbing products, which contain copper alloys and are intended for use in contact with drinking water, to a weighted average lead content of not more than 0.25%.
Essentially only products WaterMark certified as conforming to the lead-free provisions will be authorised for use in plumbing installations. The ABCB has confirmed this will impact thousands of products, and about a third of all WaterMark licenses.
We’re currently one year into the three-year predetermined transition period, and we’ve already seen laboratories like USL become accredited to prepare for the wave of testing that will be required, with over 300 WaterMark licenses likely to be impacted.
For more information on the changes and for the latest updates, head to the ABCB’s website for more information.
To enquire about how your NDT laboratory/facility can extend its scope, contact sector.map@nata.com.au.