Low lead testing
Make sure your products are compliant with the new lead requirements in California and Vermont
UL provides manufacturers with reliable and experienced test services designed to demonstrate compliance with the new lead requirements in California and Vermont. By offering a stand-alone certification program, manufacturers that are required to demonstrate compliance with lead requirements in California and Vermont, but are not covered by or specifically included in Annex G of ANSI/NSF 61, can now obtain the proper product safety certification through UL.
The new laws are effective January 1, 2010
Beginning January 1, 2010, companies that manufacture plumbing products and components for sale in California will have to demonstrate compliance with the more stringent lead requirements set forth in Section 116875 of the California Health & Safety Code. Section 116875 changes the definition of what is considered "lead free" under California law. Under the old definition, solder and flux could not contain more than 0.2 percent lead by weight, and pipes and fittings could not contain more than 8 percent lead. Under Section 116875, no more than 0.2 percent lead by weight can be used in solder and flux, and no more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent lead by weight can be used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes and pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures.
Vermont has passed Act 193, "Lead in Consumer Products Law", which contains similar low lead requirements that become mandatory on January 1, 2010.
Choose a name trusted by retailers
Retailers operating in California and Vermont are already requiring manufacturers to provide proof of compliance with the new law. UL, with over 100 years of trusted third party test services, provides retailers with confidence that their inventory is compliant with these laws.
Products that may be affected by the new laws are those that convey or dispense water for human consumption by drinking or cooking. Some examples are as follows:
- Plumbing fixtures or fittings that come into contact with potable water
- Appliances that provide water for drinking or utilize water in generating a beverage or food product
- Fire Suppression units plumbed into the potable water line
UL's Analytical Services for Plumbing and Cooking Related products
- Stand-alone certification program UL Subject Outline 116875 to help manufacturers meet the requirements in section 116875 of the California Health & Safety Code and Vermont Act 193.
- Certification to ANSI/NSF 61 Annex G
- Integrated test plans providing concurrent testing for lead while you have your other UL testing done
If you are unsure if your products are subject to the new lead requirements, contact UL's expert team to find out more.
Additional resources
- UL announces alternative certification program for lead free verification of cooking and plumbing products
- UL announces certification program for Annex G of ANSI/NSF 61
