Lead Laws

Winzeler Stamping Company is pleased to announce that our products have been thoroughly tested and analyzed by an independent laboratory and have been found to be compliant with the current safe drinking water and low-lead content legislation. Our stamped and composite stamped/machined brass lawn and garden hose couplings meet or exceed the standard requirements regarding lead content for products which are manufactured for human water consumption. Winzeler Stamping Company is a leading supplier of coupling and ferrules for the lawn and garden and DIY industries.

National Legislation

California Bill AB1953

Vermont S.152

Maryland HB.372 (2010)

NSF/ANSI Standard 61, Annex G

Proposition 65

National Legislation (Senate Bill S.3874)
In January 2011, President Obama signed the "Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act" (or Senate Bill S.3874) which set a new, federal standard for the level of permissible lead in plumbing fixtures that carry water for human consumption. By 2014, the allowable lead content in products providing water for human consumption will change from up to eight percent to an average content of less than 0.25%. The new bill aligns the allowable lead levels in all 50 states with the levels mandated in the previously enacted legislation in California and Vermont.

These laws do not prohibit the use of components containing more than 0.25 percent lead, but rather define a calculation to determine the lead content of the average wetted surface in the product. It is this average wetted surface that must contain less than 0.25 percent lead.

California (AB1953) and Vermont (S.152) passed legislation that limits the weighted average lead content of plumbing and public water distribution system components that convey or dispense water for drinking and cooking. In each state, sale of products exceeding the new limit is prohibited as of January 1, 2010. A similar bill [HB.372 (2010)] passed in Maryland on its second attempt through the legislature and enacts an effective date of January 1, 2012.

California Bill AB 1953
AB 1953 is the designation assigned to the California Assembly Bill that was to revise Section 116875 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to lead plumbing. This bill was signed into law on September 30, 2006, and revises the meaning of the term "Lead Free."

The California lead Pluming Law defines ‘Lead Free’ as not more than 0.2% lead when used with respect to solder and flux and not more than a weighted average of 0.25% when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes and pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures. The weighted average lead content of a pipe and pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, and fixture shall be calculated by using the following formula:

The percentage of lead content within each component that comes into contact with water shall be multiplied by the percent of the total wetted surface of the entire pipe and pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, or fixture represented in each component containing lead. These percentages shall be added and the sum shall constitute the weighted average lead content of the pipe and pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, or fixture."

Vermont S.152
The Vermont bill regulates lead in consumer products similar to the California Lead Plumbing Law which also prohibits the sale of plumbing fixtures whose wetted surfaces contain more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead effective January 1, 2010. The term "plumbing fixtures" is defined as pipes, pipe, plumbing fittings and fixtures used to convey or dispense water for human consumption.

a) "No person shall use any pipe, pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture, solder, or flux that is not lead free in the installation or repair of any public water system or any plumbing in a facility providing water for human consumption, except when necessary for the repair of leaded joints of cast iron pipes."
b) "No person shall introduce into commerce any pipe, pipe or plumbing fitting, or fixture, that is not lead free, except for a pipe that is used in manufacturing or industrial processing."

Maryland HB.372 (2010)
For the purpose of prohibiting certain plumbing materials containing more than a certain amount of lead from being used in the installation or repair of plumbing intended to dispense water for human consumption; prohibiting the sale of certain plumbing materials containing more than a certain amount of lead; requiring the State Board of Plumbing to adopt certain regulations; defining certain terms; providing for a delayed effective date; and generally relating to the lead content of materials used in plumbing. This Act shall take effect January 1, 2012.

§ 12-101 (H-1) “Lead-free” means: (1) Containing not more than 0.2% lead for solder and flux; (2) containing not more than 8% lead by dry weight for pipes and pipe fittings; and (3) containing a percentage of lead for plumbing fittings and fixtures that is in compliance with standards established under 42 U.S.C.A. § 300g–6(e) of The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act; and (4) containing not more than a weighted average lead content of 0.25% for the wetted surfaces of a pipe, pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, or fixture intended to dispense water for human consumption through drinking or cooking.

Standard 61, Annex G
In December 2008, NSF/ANSI Standard 61 was revised to add requirements to the standard allowing manufacturers the option of being certified to a lead content standard in jurisdictions with a 0.25% weighted average lead content requirement.

Proposition 65
Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, was enacted as a ballot initiative in November 1986. The Proposition was intended by its authors to protect California citizens and the State's drinking water sources from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, and to inform citizens about exposures to such chemicals.