Lead-free transition ends soon

Changes to the amount of lead allowed in plumbing products will come into effect at 11:59pm on 1 May 2026

From 11:59pm on 1 May 2026, in accordance with the amended Building Code Acceptable Solution G12/AS1, all potable water plumbing products that come into contact with drinking water must meet a weighted average lead content limit of no more than 0.25%. Where copper alloys such as brass are used in pressurised systems, they must be made from dezincification-resistant (DR) brass.

This includes products such as pipe fitting, vales, taps, mixers, water heaters and water meters.

That means that G12/AS 3^rd Edition Amendment 13 will be revoked. However, builders should note the following:

• This MBIE Acceptable Solution can still be used as a means of demonstrating compliance for building consent applications submitted up to and including 1 May 2026.
• From 2 May 2026, Amendment 13 will no longer be an MBIE Acceptable Solution.
• From 2 May 2026, Amendment 14 will become the only MBIE Acceptable Solution.

G12/AS1 3^rd Edition Amendment 14 is the current Acceptable Solution and can be used now and after 2 May 2026.

According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), consented building work (including plumbing works) being carried out after the transition period will continue to be subject to the conditions, plans and specifications set out in the approved building consent.

“Onsite construction and installation work must follow the specifications in the building consent for a code compliance certificate to be issued,” said MBIE.

Building work done without a building consent must still meet the Building Code as required by the Building Act 2004. Practitioners may choose to use an MBIE Acceptable Solution, such as G12/AS1 3rd Edition Amendment 14, however this is not the only way to demonstrate compliance. Plumbing professionals are responsible for ensuring the building work (which includes plumbing work), and all building products and building methods (including plumbing products and plumbing installation methods) complies with the Building Code.

PlaceMakers supports suppliers

To support its plumbing suppliers, PlaceMakers has set up project teams in house to work through the changes with each supplier and ensure a smooth transition across new and old stock.

“This is a full supply chain effort from manufacturer through to customers via the PlaceMakers branches,” said Category Manager Louise Cook. “With more than 100 different suppliers with affected product, it is a large project, but we are committed to supporting our suppliers through the transition.”

One of the brands to transition several major product lines to meet these standards well ahead of schedule is Oliveri. Oliveri’s London, Venice, Verona and Paris bathroom tapware collections are fully complaint ahead of schedule, as is its Essente 316, London, Verona and Venice kitchenware ranges.