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Lead Free Resources
Questions Regarding The California Lead Plumbing Law
The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act that requires lead content of 8% or less for plumbing fixtures, valves, fittings and pipe. California and Vermont have passed and other states are considering legislation that lowers the lead level requirement even further to 0.25%.
Below are some of the questions that are being asked about these new “low lead” laws, information on Anvil International products certified to these new requirements, and additional resources for more information.
What is the California Lead Plumbing Law?
The State of California enacted legislation (commonly known as AB1953) to revise Section 116875 of the California Health and Safety Code (the “Code”). The revised Section of the Code requires plumbing and public water distribution system components that convey or dispense water for human consumption through drinking water or cooking be “Lead Free.” “Lead Free” means not more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent lead content when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes and pipe fittings, plumbing fittings and fixtures.
When does the California law take effect?
January 1, 2010.
Is 3rd party laboratory certification required as part of this legislation?
Yes. Section 116875 of the Code requires lead free products be certified by an independent, third-party American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accreditation service such as IAPMO.
For more information on ANSI accreditation services >
Is the use of hot dipped galvanizing, zinc plating, coatings or other treatments acceptable to make a device comply with the California Lead Plumbing Law?
No. Although hot dipped galvanizing, zinc plating, or coatings may be acceptable depending on local code requirements, they cannot be used to meet the 0.25% weighted average lead content requirements. The weighted average must be based on the lead content of the base material and not just the surface coating.
Is a certification mark required?
Manufacturers may or may not mark products with the term “Complies with California Lead Plumbing Law”.
For listing certificates >
Can products be certified to the 0.25% lead content requirements of Section 116875 even if they not are not intended to be used in drinking water systems?
Yes. Customers have requested that products not intended to be used to convey water for human consumption be certified to the 0.25% maximum lead content. Anvil is complying with these requests.
What other U.S. states have enacted low-lead legislation for plumbing products?
Vermont enacted a law (S.152) similar to California, which also takes effect January 1, 2010.
Vermont’s law states: “Beginning January 1, 2010, no person shall sell or offer for sale in or into the state of Vermont, or use in the state of Vermont, solder or flux for plumbing containing more than 0.2 percent lead, or plumbing fixtures whose wetted surfaces contain more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent lead.” The term “plumbing fixtures” is defined as pipes, pipe, plumbing fittings and fixtures used to convey or dispense water for human consumption.
Where can I go for more information on this subject?
For details on the California Lead Plumbing Law >
For a Listing of affected products certified by IAPMO >
For details on Vermont S.152 >
9.Where can I get information on products which comply with NSF/ANSI Standard 61?
For details on Anvil products certified by NSF for drinking water >
For details on Anvil products listed by UL for drinking water >
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