Have your say on extending the transition dates for lead in plumbing products
Posted: 2 April 2024
In 2022, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) consulted on changes to the Building Code, including proposals to limit lead in plumbing products. This consultation closed in July 2022 and received over 100 detailed submissions and comments.
When asked about the suggested transition end date of 1 September 2025 or sooner, 86% were in favour. Of the options presented, the submissions highlighted that the longer transition period was necessary to raise awareness of the proposed changes and to give time to manufacturers to comply with the proposed requirements.
Due to the overwhelmingly positive response, we decided to proceed with the proposed changes to Acceptable Solution G12/AS1, limiting the maximum quantity of lead in plumbing products and the proposed transition period ending on 1 September 2025.
In November 2023, we published the revised building code documents and re-confirmed the existing transition period of September 2025 for the lead in plumbing product provision would remain.
Australia updates their transition period end date
When these changes were consulted on and announced, the lead in plumbing products transition period end date for New Zealand was in alignment with the introduction of equivalent lead free plumbing product changes in Australia. However, in April 2023, Australia extended their transition period end date by eight months, to 1 May 2026.
Where possible we strive to align with our major trading partners to ensure a healthy and competitive New Zealand market. Feedback from the sector also highlighted the need to consider an extension to provide plumbing product manufacturers and suppliers additional time to make the necessary changes.
Advice on the new lead requirements - Australian Building Codes Board
What we are proposing
This consultation proposes to extend the transition period end dates to 1 May 2026, for both the lead in plumbing and dezincification resistant product provisions in New Zealand. This will align with the transition period end date for similar product changes in Australia.
These proposed changes will provide clear, consistent and aligned timeframes for those that need to adapt the types of copper alloys used to manufacture plumbing products.
We are also taking this opportunity to propose a definition of the term "lead free" to improve clarity regarding the identification of products that meet the requirements of the new lead in plumbing product provision, and to make several minor editorial changes to the Building Code documents for G12 Water Supplies.
Have your say
The public consultation will be open from 2 April 2024 for three weeks. Submissions close at 5pm on 23 April 2024. You can provide your feedback via MBIE's Have your say webpage, or by sending an email to buildingfeedback@mbie.govt.nz
Have your say on the transition period end date for lead in plumbing product provisions - mbie.govt.nz