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Lead-free plumbing is coming 2 May 2026, with the lead-free plumbing transition period ending midnight 1 May 2026.
From 2 May 2026, building consent applications that choose to follow the Acceptable Solution for potable water plumbing systems, must ensure all products meet the following requirements for copper alloy products:
- are lead-free
- dezincification resistant
These changes are occurring because lead can leach into drinking water from pipes and fittings in homes, posing long-term health risks. Current standards allow 4.5 per cent lead content, and by reducing this to 0.25 per cent we significantly lower exposure and improve public health. The changes give New Zealanders greater confidence that drinking water from our taps remains healthy and safe.
Additionally, copper alloy plumbing products with high zinc content can corrode under certain conditions, weakening components and releasing zinc into drinking water. This can cause leaks and health risks due to zinc poisoning. Products under pressure must meet dezincification resistance requirements to prevent this.
How to prepare for lead-free plumbing:
- Plumbers and industry professionals: From 2 May 2026, to follow G12/AS1, all copper alloy components must be lead-free with a weighted average of 0.25 per cent tested to NSF/ANSI/CAN 372:2020 and dezincification resistance to AS 2345:2006. Ensure that all products have valid IANZ accredited test certificates for both lead-free and dezincification to show compliance with G12/AS1.
- Suppliers, manufacturers and retailers: Ensure all cooper alloy products made and imported that are to be used with drinking water meet the new standards. Supplies of existing stock that will not comply from 2 May 2026, should be run down before this date. Ensure that all products have valid IANZ accredited test certificates for both lead-free and dezincification to show compliance with G12/AS1.
- Homeowners: Taps, mixers, valves and similar products used for drinking water must contain no more than 0.25 percent lead. Ask for proof of compliance from your retailer or plumbing professional - they can provide you with the appropriate test certificate.
The changes apply to new applications for consented building work from 2 May 2026. The compliance pathways do not apply retrospectively.
Projects with a building consent application lodged on or before 1 May 2026 may continue to comply with the Acceptable Solution provisions that were in place on the date the building consent application was made. After that, updated requirements apply. Existing installations are unaffected.
For more information, visit the Lead and corrosion resistance in copper alloy plumbing products page or contact the Building Performance team.
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