Rules changed on 2 May
From 2 May 2026, if you use the Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 when applying for a building consent, all plumbing products connected to drinking water must be:
- lead-free
- dezincification resistant (designed to resist corrosion that can weaken fittings).
These requirements apply to products used for potable water (water people drink or cook with).
The new rules do not apply to products installed, already consented, or lodged for consent before 2 May 2026.
Products affected
The new rules apply to products for potable water, such as:
- fittings and valves
- taps and mixers
- pipes
- water meters and pumps
- hose taps connected to potable water
- filtration systems and dispensers.
Products not affected
The rules do not apply to:
- shower heads, bath taps, bath mixers and shower mixers
- hose taps used for irrigation or cleaning (non-potable water)
- fire-fighting and sprinkler systems
- non-potable water systems and industrial use
- household appliances or HVAC boilers.
How to check if products are compliant
You can confirm if the products are compliant by looking for:
- building product information from suppliers
- recognised certification marks, such as the Australian WaterMark and ANSI Lead-Free
- IANZ accredited test reports to NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 (lead content) and AS 2345:2006 (dezincification resistance).
What you need to do now
Check your stock and supply chains to ensure products meet the new requirements.
Talk to your suppliers about certification and documentation.
Use compliant products for any new building consent applications from 2 May 2026.
More information
You can find more information on the Building Performance website.