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USA: California new law regulates lead in plumbing fixtures

DECEMBER 2021 - HARDLINES

The California Bill AB1001 was signed into law by the Governor on 8 October 2021. This Bill mandates industry standard NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2020 as the lead-testing requirement for certified endpoint drinking water devices sold in California.  

This new law applies to “endpoint devices” which refer to plumbing fitting, fixtures or faucets that are typically installed within the last one litre of the water distribution system of a building. Table A listed the coverage of the Bill. 

Commencing from 1 January 2023, the new law will prohibit the manufacturing or sale in California of such products that do not meet NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2020. The endpoint device shall not leach more than one microgram of lead for test statistic Q or R, when normalized for a first draw sample up to or equal to one litre in volume. This device shall also be certified by an American National Standards Institute-accredited third party. Starting from 1 July 2023, the introduction into commerce or sale in California for non-compliant products will be prohibited. 

In addition to the above requirement, the wording “NSF/ANSI/CAN 61: Q ≤ 1” shall be indicated in products or packaging  in an easily identifiable manner for compliance. 

Table A: Coverage of the Bill AB100

[1]  California AB 100 

[2]  Coverage of Section 9 of NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2020