A 3 year transition period to support Australia’s path to reducing allowable lead levels in many plumbing products commenced on 1 May 2023.

The Lead Free WaterMark trademark has been registered and WaterMark Notice of Direction 2021/4.2 Certification transition arrangements for lead free plumbing products has been published on the ABCB website.

Clause A5G4 of NCC 2022 Volume Three (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.

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 more information read our Update: Advice on the new lead requirements article and see the Lead in Plumbing Products – Implementation Plan.

And make sure you are registered for our newsletters to receive updates and notifications about lead in plumbing products and other ABCB initiatives.

source: https://watermark.abcb.gov.au/news/2023/transition-lead-free-plumbing-products-starts-now