The transition arrangements for lead free plumbing has been published on the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) website.
The Plumbing Code of Australia specifies that copper alloy plumbing products in contact with drinking water must limit the allowable lead content to a weighted average lead content of not more than 0.25%.
Manufacturers and suppliers of impacted products should contact their Watermark Conformity Assessment body to arrange certification to these requirements.
All relevant plumbing products being installed must meet the new requirements by 1 May 2026.
NATA is encouraging laboratories interested in extending their scope for chemical analysis of copper alloys to include lead to talk to their client manager.
Further information
The WaterMark Notice of Direction 2022/1.1 Acceptable copper alloys for the manufacture of lead free plumbing products – provides information about alternative materials for use in the manufacture of lead free plumbing products.
WaterMark Notice of Direction 2022/2.0 Marking requirements for lead free plumbing products provides information about product marking requirements for Lead Free WaterMark certified products.
For other information visit: Update: Advice on the new lead requirements article and see the Lead in Plumbing Products – Implementation Plan.
