The requirements for the WaterMark certification are changing – here’s what you need to know.
The World Health Organisation has recognised that lead is a chemical of major public health concern and that the primary source of lead in drinking water is leaching from lead-containing materials in water systems, including plumbing and valves1.
As a result, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released amendments to the National Construction Code (NCC) designed to limit exposure to lead that may leach into drinking water.
Australia’s WaterMark certification for lead-free plumbing products now specifies that products intended for use with drinking water must contain no more than 0.25 per cent lead by weight. This applies to copper alloy products and all similar materials that come into direct contact with drinking water.
After 1 May 2026, products that do not meet the lead-free criteria will no longer be authorised for use in drinking water applications, even if they have current WaterMark certification.
The regulation will not affect existing installations, but only new installations or replacement parts from May 2026.
Transition period
The transition period for Australia’s lead-free plumbing requirements, which runs from May 2023 to May 2026, allows industry stakeholders to adapt to the new regulations2.
During this period, products that are not yet lead-free but have current WaterMark certification can still be used in installations involving drinking water. Stakeholders are urged to manage their stock of products that contain lead, to ensure a smooth transition by minimising leftover stock of non‑compliant products.
After the transition period, unsold or unused non-lead-free products cannot be installed or sold for use with drinking water.
If spare parts are required, they also need to comply with lead-free standards by the end of the transition period.
Certifications from other jurisdictions, such as the NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 lead-free standard, may be accepted during the assessment process, but in Australia the final decision rests with the WaterMark Conformity Assessment Bodies.
Watermark-certified valves
For water utilities and other industries that use drinking water in their processes, all valves that come into contact with potable water will also need to meet the new standards from May 2026 – and spare parts inventories will also need to be adjusted accordingly. Luckily, two of Bürkert’s servo-assisted diaphragm valves – the Type 6213 and the Type 6281 with stainless steel bodies – have already achieved the new WaterMark certification.
Verified against Australian standards, the valves are compliant with the Plumbing Code of Australia, ensuring reliability and safety for water applications. Featuring a flat-sealing external thread (0.25” to 1.5”), the valves’ designs allow for simple installation and quick replacement, streamlining service work. The design of the valve body also reduces water hammer and noise while optimising flow. Combining innovative design, high-quality materials, Bürkert’s WaterMark-certified valves provide superior performance and reliability.
For more information, visit burkert.com.au
1. World Health Organization 2022, Lead in drinking-water: health risks, monitoring and corrective actions, https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/361821/9789240020863-eng.pdf
2. Australian Building Codes Board 2021, Notice of Direction 2021/4.0 – Certification transition arrangements for lead free plumbing products, https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2022/2021-4-0-NoD-Lead-free-certification-transition-arrangements.pdf
