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Lead-free regulation: everything you need to know
There are new mandates to ensure that copper alloy plumbing products plumbers install for intended use in contact with drinking water comply with maximum lead content levels (no more than a weighted average lead content of 0.25 per cent).
New lead-free plumbing product regulations are due to come into force on 2 May 2026, following on from the NZ 2022 Building Code update.
Key points about the regulations
In line with many other countries, including Australia, there have been regulatory changes to reduce the amount of lead in drinking water, as part of the NZ 2022 Building Code update.
In this update, Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 was amended to limit the maximum allowable lead content in copper alloy plumbing products intended for use in contact with potable water for human consumption.
This amendment introduces a maximum lead content of 0.25 per cent for any copper-alloy product used in contact with drinking water. This includes products such as pipe fittings, valves, taps, mixers, water heaters and water meters.
The product provision in G12/AS1 relating to lead-free requirements was introduced under Amendment 14, which has been in effect since 2 November 2024. Amendment 13 will cease to be usable from 2 May 2026.
After this date, plumbers who install such products are responsible for ensuring they are lead free.
What to look for
The new regulations place obligations on NZ-based building product manufacturers, importers, retailers and distributors to state how their product complies with the relevant Building Code clause.
This means that building product information should clearly state how an in-scope plumbing product is expected to contribute to compliance with Building Code clause G12 Water Supplies, including G12.3.2 (c).
- Australian Lead Free WaterMark Mark of Conformity
- American National Standards Institute (ASNI) accredited third-party certification body.
- Lead Free certification marks (nepis.epa.gov)
The other option is to use a test report provided by a test facility with International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) or equivalent accreditation in accordance with NSF/ANSI/CAN 372, which verifies that a product has the required weighted average lead content of no more than 0.25 per cent.
This establishes a standardised methodology for the determination and verification of product compliance to minimise lead contaminants and serves as the basis to establish conformance with the G12/AS1 lead in plumbing product provision.
Use industry information
Most of the relevant industry bodies have comprehensive information for their members about the new regulations and plumbers are encouraged to be in contact with the Master Plumbers NZ in particular.
Master Plumbers NZ has information on their website detailing the new regulations and the products involved and members of Master Plumbers NZ can download a fact sheet for their customers to explain the changes.
What if a building consent was already granted?
If the consent is granted on or before 1 May 2026 (including consented projects under construction), work can proceed using Acceptable Solution provisions approved by the building consent.
If the consent application is made on or before 1 May 2026, the application may continue to comply with the Acceptable Solution provisions in place on the date the consent application was made.
If the consent application is made on or after 2 May 2026, the application must follow the updated provisions when using Acceptable Solutions as a means of compliance.
Wanting to choose compliant tapware?
Want the jump on lead-free plumbing products? Explore the wide range of compliant plumbing and tapware available at Bunnings for all your trade supplies.
Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.
Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.