What You Need to Know About the Lead Free Plumbing Product Changes
As your local licensed plumber, we’re always looking out for your safety, water quality and long-term peace of mind. There’s a big change coming in plumbing standards here in Australia and we want to make sure you’re informed well before it affects you.
What’s Changing About Australian Tapware?
Under the National Construction Code (NCC) and updated plumbing regulations, there’s a new requirement for many plumbing products regarding lead content:
Copper alloy plumbing products used in systems that convey drinking water must have a lead content no more than 0.25% (weighted average). That’s defined as being ‘lead free’ under the NCC.
Only products that are Australian WaterMark certified with the new ‘Lead Free WaterMark’ trademark will be authorised for use in drinking water systems from that date.
There’s been a three-year transition period (which commenced from 1st May 2023) to allow manufacturers, suppliers and installers time to switch over but the cut-off is firm: from 1 May 2026 only lead-free compliant products can be used in potable water systems.
Many suppliers are upset with this final date, saying up to $250 million in products will be stockpiled. The Plumbing Products Industry Group has requested Grandfathering to take place; current stock to be able to be used after the 1st May 2026 date.
The Latest Update; Sell-Through Period Extended to 2028
In late 2025, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) announced an important update to the transition timeline.
The Board agreed to extend the period during which existing WaterMark-certified products already in the supply chain can still be installed until 1 May 2028.
This extension was introduced to:
- Allow suppliers to sell through existing stock already in the market
- Reduce potential financial losses from unsold inventory
- Give manufacturers and distributors additional time to fully transition to the new certification requirements.
Importantly, this extension only applies to stock already in circulation. The ABCB has also confirmed that the 1 May 2028 date is final and will not be reconsidered.
This extension has been contentious in our industry, with many suppliers now losing out as they had been preparing for the 1st May 2026 date.
Why This Matters to Plumbing Consumers
Lead has historically been used in small amounts in copper alloy plumbing products to improve manufacturability, like in brass taps and fittings. While older products met regulatory standards, studies suggest that even small amounts of lead can potentially leach into drinking water over time. The updated requirements are designed to further protect health, especially for children and vulnerable household members.
This doesn’t just apply to taps but includes all copper alloy products in contact with drinking water, such as taps and mixers, valves and fittings, backflow prevention devices, water meters, drinking-water heaters and dispensers.
If it touches your drinking water, it likely needs to be certified lead free from 1st May 2028.
What This Means Practically for Plumbing and You
The extension can make the situation a little confusing for consumers.
Between 2026 and 2028, both types of products may still exist in the market:
- Older WaterMark-certified products (not lead-free)
- New Lead Free WaterMark certified products
Both may technically be installable if the older products were already in supply chains before the deadline.
That’s why it’s more important than ever for homeowners to ask questions about the products being installed in their homes.
If you ask for tapware or fittings after this final extension date, ensure they are lead free certified. Plumbers cannot legally install non-compliant products in drinking water systems after this date.
Using non-lead free products after the deadline could lead to compliance issues, inspection failures, additional costs or even enforcement action.
What You Should Do Now
As we approach the deadline, you can ask your plumber or plumbing supplier: ‘Is this product lead free and does it carry the Lead Free WaterMark?’.
When comparing tapware or fixtures, check packaging or product data for the Lead Free WaterMark logo.
If you’re planning a renovation, kitchen/bathroom upgrade or fixture replacement, specify lead-free certified products to avoid rework later.
Don’t be tempted by the cheapest product online, if it’s not certified for drinking water use after 1 May 2028, it can’t be installed legally.
We’re here to make sure the products we install are compliant and safe and we encourage you to ask questions and request lead-free tapware and fittings whenever you’re making a plumbing decision.
If you’re unsure whether your current fixtures are compliant, or you’re planning new plumbing work, we can guide you to products that not only look great but are also certified and future-proof for your home’s plumbing needs.