Prepare for lead-free plumbing

Umbraco.Cms.Core.Models.MediaWithCrops`1[Umbraco.Cms.Web.Common.PublishedModels.Image]

Date: 15/04/2026

From 2 May 2026, lead-free requirements apply to plumbing products used in potable water systems for all new building work. This includes work that requires building consent as well as consent-exempt work, noting that all building work must comply with the Building Code. The changes are not retrospective.

This change will reduce the risk of lead exposure through drinking water, particularly for children, and support safer long-term public health outcomes. It aligns with international standards and reflects the important role plumbers play in protecting public health. 

Please note that plumbing work that does not require a building consent still needs to comply with the building code.

The building code requires potable water supply systems to be installed using components that are sufficiently durable and will not contaminate the water. In practice, that means using lead-free and dezincification resistant brass products wherever they are required to meet that outcome.

Listen to the Safe and Skilled podcast episode on preparing for lead-free plumbing.

What you need to do 

In practice, this means you should now be: 

considering whether the products you are selecting for potable water systems are lead-free and compliant with the new requirements.

checking supplier information and product specifications.

inform consumers that lead-free products are now available and, where appropriate, support their use.

Plumbing products covered by the lead-free provision 

Examples of products the lead in plumbing product provision 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 hot water supply systems)

water heaters

hose tap (when connected to a potable water supply)

residential water filtration equipment

water dispensers (such as boiling and cooling units, drinking fountains and bottle fillers)

fire sprinkler systems that are connected to cold water supply systems and are not isolated from fixtures and fittings intended to supply water for human consumption.

Your lead-free compliance checklist 

These steps will help ensure your work not only meets the requirements, but also supports safe drinking water outcomes for consumers. 

Use lead-free copper alloy components for potable water systems.

Ensure products under pressure are dezincification resistant.

Avoid high-temperature brazing of brass fittings that reduces corrosion resistance.

Confirm products are tested to:

NSF/ANSI/CAN 372:2020 (lead-free)

AS 2345:2006 (dezincification resistance)

Verify IANZ-accredited test certificates or equivalent international certification (for example, WaterMark).

Exclusions from lead free requirements  

Examples of products to which the lead in plumbing products provision will not apply include:  

Showers and baths for bathing, including shower and bath mixers

Emergency showers, eye wash and face wash equipment

Pumps used for irrigation, firefighting or other non-potable water purposes

Firefighting water services and equipment

Appliances, including clothes washing machines and dishwashers

Commercial boilers associated with heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems

Sanitary fixtures such as toilets, cistern inlet valves, bidets and 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 use where the water is not anticipated to be consumed by people.