Plumbing Connection Winter 2022

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5 2 PLUMBING CONNECTION Winter 2022
PLUMBING PRODUCTS WITH
REDUCED LEAD ARE COMING
T he 2022 edition of the National
Construction Code (NCC) will
introduce a new limit for the
allowable level of lead in plumbing
products used for drinking water. This
requirement will come into effect on 1
September 2025.
From this date, copper alloy plumbing
products containing more than 0.25%
lead will no longer be authorised for
installation in a plumbing system used
to convey drinking water.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE
PLUMBING PRACTITIONER?
Currently, a small amount of lead is used
in the manufacture of some copper
alloy plumbing products. While existing
products are safe, health officials
recommend that where exposure to lead
can be reduced, it should be reduced.
During the transition period between 1
September 2022 and
1 September 2025
plumbing practitioners
may continue to install
existing products as
well as those with a
reduced level of lead,
providing the products
are all certified in
accordance with
the WaterMark
Certification Scheme.
However, from 1
September 2025 only
products that are
compliant with the lead requirements of
the NCC will be authorised for use.
REDUCTION OF LEAD LEVELS IN COPPER
ALLOY PRODUCTS
Clause A5G4 of NCC 2022 Volume Three
(Plumbing Code of Australia) will specify
that all copper alloy plumbing products
in contact with drinking water must limit
the allowable lead content of copper
alloy plumbing products in contact with
drinking water to a weighted average
lead content of not more than 0.25%.
The ABCB agreed to a three-year
transition period to allow industry to
make the necessary changes to provide
products to the market in compliance
with this requirement. The three-year
transition period will commence on 1
September 2022.
WHAT PRODUCTS ARE COVERED BY THE
NCC’S LEAD REQUIREMENT?
All copper alloy products that are in
constant contact with drinking water
will be required to comply with the lead
requirements of the NCC. These include:
fittings, valves, backflow prevention
devices, taps, mixers, water heaters,
water dispensers
(boiling and cooling
units) and water
meters.
The WaterMark
Schedule of
Products (https://
watermark.abcb.
schedule-products)
outlines all plumbing
products which
require WaterMark
certification to
be authorised for
installation in a plumbing or drainage
system. The schedule will also be used
to outline which products must comply
with the lead requirements of the NCC.
During the transition period, products
will start to be manufactured with
labelling on the product to indicate
compliance with the NCC’s lead
requirements. This will help you easily
identify compliant lead-reduced
products.
DOES THE LEAD REQUIREMENT APPLY
TO ALL PRODUCTS?
No, the lead requirement does not
apply to all plumbing products. Some
products that are not in constant
contact with drinking water and have a
low likelihood of being used for drinking
water consumption are exempt.
These include products such as
shower heads, washing machines,
dishwashers, commercial boilers
(associated with HVAC systems),
emergency deluge showers, and
eyewash equipment.
Copper alloy products used in
firefighting equipment, irrigation
systems, and recycled water systems
are also exempt from the lead
requirement because they are not in
contact with drinking water.
Existing copper alloy products in the
marketplace that are not compliant with
the NCC’s lead requirement can only be
used until 1 September 2025. Beyond
this date these products may be used
in other applications that are exempt,
such as systems that are not used to
convey drinking water.
You will soon notice increasing numbers of plumbing products containing reduced levels of lead in the
marketplace.
The 2022 edition of the
National Construction
Code (NCC) will
introduce a new limit
for the allowable level
of lead in plumbing
products used for
drinking water.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
The ABCB has worked with industry to
develop an Implementation Plan (https://
products-implementation-plan) to achieve
the lead requirements of the NCC.
Further information about the Plumbing
Code of Australia is available on the ABCB
website at