The NCC requirements for lead free copper alloys for drinking water will come into force on 1 May 2026. Find out how these changes impact practitioners, suppliers and manufacturers.
Keywords: WaterMark, product certification, plumbing
Target audience: Plumbers, manufacturers, suppliers and product assessors
From 1 May 2026, copper alloy plumbing products used to convey drinking water must be lead free, in accordance with the latest National Construction Code requirements. This document outlines the steps and guidelines for manufacturers, suppliers, and practitioners to follow the new requirements, improving the safety and quality of drinking water systems.
Did you know?
The lead free requirements apply to manufacturers and licensed installers or repairers of plumbing products. They will also impact importers, wholesalers, distributors, re-sellers and retailers of plumbing products.
What is lead free?
The National Construction Code (NCC) requires any plumbing or drainage product of a type listed on the WaterMark Schedule of Products, to be WaterMark certified. It must be certified before it can be installed and it must be installed by a licensed plumbing practitioner.
Definition of Lead Free
Schedule 1 of the NCC defines lead free as ‘Where a plumbing product or material in contact with drinking water has a weighted average lead content of not more than 0.25%’.
Section A of the NCC contains the mandatory Governing Requirements. These outline the rules and instructions for interpreting, applying, and complying with the NCC to ensure the minimum standards for building safety, health, and sustainability are met.
Clause A5G4 in Section A specifies that the allowable lead content in plumbing products which contain copper alloys (brass and bronze) and are intended to be used for drinking water has been limited to a weighted average lead content of not more than 0.25%.
A transition period of 3 years, commencing on 1 May 2023, applies to the adoption of the lead free requirements of NCC 2022. All copper alloy products, intended for use with drinking water, that are installed from 1 May 2026, must be Lead Free WaterMark certified.
Did you know?
The lead free requirements do not apply to all plumbing products. Certain items are exempt, such as shower heads, shower mixer taps, washing machines, dishwashers, commercial boilers used in HVAC systems, emergency deluge showers, and eyewash equipment. This is because these products either do not have regular contact with drinking water, are not intended for drinking water use, or are excluded in line with international standards.
Why lead free?
Lead has always been allowed in small amounts in plumbing product raw materials. While these levels met Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, lowering the lead content will enhance public safety.
These changes align with standards in the United States and Canada, ensuring consistent manufacturing of copper alloy products. Reducing the lead content in drinking water will also provide significant health benefits, as lead is a cumulative toxicant in the body.
The 3-year transition period gives industry time to make changes and have compliant products ready by 1 May 2026.
Did you know?
If you are undertaking repairs or new installations of plumbing products after 1 May 2026, all copper alloy products used to convey drinking water must be compliant with the lead free requirements.
What does it mean for plumbing practitioners?
From 1 May 2026 only lead free copper alloy plumbing products will be allowed to be used in plumbing systems used to convey drinking water. Plumbing practitioners will need to look for the Lead Free WaterMark trademark on a plumbing product when purchasing and installing these products.
How can I identify compliant products?
For lead free certified products, the Lead Free WaterMark trademark will be applied instead of the WaterMark trademark.
The WaterMark Schedule of Products lists the plumbing products that require WaterMark certification, including where the lead free requirements apply. All products certified to the lead free requirements will be marked with the Lead Free WaterMark trademark, not the standard WaterMark trademark. Practitioners will be allowed to install existing WaterMark certified products with the WaterMark trademark until 30 April 2026. You will have the option to use products with the Lead Free WaterMark trademark prior to 1 May 2026, but it is not mandatory.
Application of the lead free requirements is limited to plumbing products containing copper alloys (brass and bronze) that are used to convey drinking water. These products include items such as fittings, valves, taps, mixers, water heaters, water dispensers and water meters.
Where can I get more info?
WaterMark Notice of Direction 2022/2.0 provides information about the marking of plumbing products required to be lead free compliant.
What does it mean for manufacturers and suppliers?
Manufacturers and suppliers of impacted products should contact their WaterMark Conformity Assessment Body to arrange certification to the new requirements.
Lead free compliance for a product must be indicated on the:
- WaterMark Certificate of Conformity; and
- Product listing on the WaterMark Product Database; and
- Scope of Use statement supplied with the product.
The lead free marking requirement will:
- Indicate compliance with the lead free requirements
- Easily differentiate existing certified products and lead free certified products
- Assist regulation at the point of installation.
Products marked with the Lead Free WaterMark may retain any international lead free product marketing that is already on the product.
Does it need to be lead free?
To find out if a product needs to meet the lead free requirements, check the WaterMark Schedule of Products.
Is it lead free?
The WaterMark website has a searchable database of all the products that are authorised for use, including their lead free status. Refer to the WaterMark Product Search to find detailed information on all WaterMark, and Lead Free WaterMark, certified products.
What does it mean for products?
Existing certified products that are not re-certified as lead free will remain authorised for installation until 30 April 2026. Existing certified products that are re-certified as lead free may have a new model name and model ID or retain the original model name and model ID.
Products that are not required to be certified lead free, like those made of stainless steel, may voluntarily be certified or re-certified as lead free.
Did you know?
WaterMark Conformity Assessment Bodies are responsible for assessing plumbing products and issuing WaterMark certification and Lead Free WaterMark certification. More information about having a product certified can be found on the Certifying a product page.