2012 MEMBERSHIP SURVEY REPORTCanadian Institute of Plumbing & HeatingFebruary 2013

Low Leaded Plumbing Products in Canada

California was the first USA State to begin preliminary discussions in 2005 to:

• Reduce the lead content in plumbing products• Implement regulations in 2008 and;• Enforce low leaded plumbing products in 2010.

Background

Background

U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act - definition of “lead free”: The new regulation significantly reduces the current allowable level of lead content which complies with the industry standard (NSF6l) or 8% dependent on product down to no more than a weighted average lead content of 0.25% on wetted surfaces when evaluated for pipes, valves, pipe fittings and plumbing fittings, anticipated to convey or dispense water for human consumption through drinking or cooking.

Canadian Institute of Plumbing & HeatingFebruary 2013

• There are no regulations relating to lead content in plumbing products in Canada.

• Regulators, legislators and Health Canada plan to approach the issue through the national system of plumbing codes that can be adopted and enforced provincially/territorially through one recognized network of plumbing and health inspectors.

The Canadian Approach

Low Lead Adoption (by Province)

Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating

BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PEI NFLD NWT YK

ADOPTING OF THE 2013 INTERIM 

CHANGES (once published)

WITHIN 6 MONTHS unless asked 

otherwise

unknown at this time

2005 NPC currently TBC on future actions

NPC Changes Published in November 2013. MB 

enforces the codes (via automatic adoption) as per the date of publication. In this case they 

will use December 1, 2013 for both adoption and enforcement 

dates.

BY MINISTER'S RULING

Released January 29th 

2014.    It will be effective on April 29.  

Modifications to the NPC are automatically adopted six months later. Low lead 

modifications were made by NRC on October 31, 2013, so it will be effective May 1, 2014 in 

Quebec.

WITHIN 6 MONTHS

CURRENT AS OF JAN 1 2014

Currently has the NPC 2005 as the 

provincial plumbing code. In the process of changing to the 2010 edition. soon. Don't 

know if when the NPC 2010 code is adopted 2013 interim changes 

will be enforceable. As it stands using NPC 2005, PEI can only 

enforce the requirements set 

out in that version.

WITHIN 6 MONTHS

Does not adopt the 

NPC

Any amendments to the National Plumbing Code become law in Yukon as soon as they are printed.

link to ruling

released January 29th 

2014

ANTICIPATED ENFORCEMENT DATES (see 

note)

Jun‐14TBD in the draft reg

December 1st 2013

Jan‐14May 1st 2014

Jun‐14 Jan‐14 Jun‐14 Jan‐14

advicegazette code language

GRANDFATHERING OF PROJECTS PRIOR 

TO ADOPTION

polling members for timing 

TBD in the draft reg

Yes for all engineered mechanical 

plans stamped or permits 

issued before December 1

yes see advice link

YES YES YES YES YES

Note: The changes will come into effect with the 2013 Interim Changes to the 2010 NPC (anticipated publishing date‐Jan 2014) 

Note: The 2013 Interim Changes to the 2010 National Plumbing Code is anticipated to be published for public comments in mid November with the anticipated final publishing in early January 2014. Once published the Provinces and Territories have the option of adopting the changes and updates. At the August CACP meetings CIPH polled the Provincial regulators as to their intentions for adopting the updates and changes that is anticipated to be included in the 2013 Interim Changes. Included in this table is a recording of regulator intentions, anticipated enforcement dates and any intentions of grandfathering of existing projects. as of November 15th 2013. 

Codes and Standards- How they Work

4.9 Toxicity and lead content4.9.1Fittings covered by this Standard shall comply with the applicable requirements of NSF/ANSI 61.4.9.2Solders and fluxes in contact with potable water shall not exceed, by mass, 0.2% lead content. Metal alloys in contact with potable water shall not exceed 8% lead content.4.9.3Fittings intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption through drinking or cooking shall not contain a weighted average lead content in excess of 0.25% when evaluated in accordance with the test method specified in NSF/ANSI 372.

ASME A112.1/CSA B125.1- 2012

SCOPE – AFFECTED PRODUCT IN RED

(a) automatic compensating valves for individual wall-mounted showering systems;(b) bath and shower supply fittings;(c) bidet supply fittings;(d) clothes washer supply fittings;(e) drinking fountain supply fittings;(f) humidifier supply stops;(g) kitchen, sink, and lavatory supply fittings;(h) laundry tub supply fittings;(i) lawn and sediment faucets;(j) metering and self-closing supply fittings;(k) shower heads, hand-held showers, and body sprays; and(l) supply stops.

ASME A112.1/CSA B125.1

4.15 Toxicity and lead content4.15.1Fittings covered by this Standard shall comply with the applicable requirements of NSF/ANSI 61.4.15.2Solders and fluxes in contact with potable water shall not exceed, by mass, 0.2% lead content. Metal alloys in contact with potable water shall not exceed 8% lead content.4.15.3Fittings intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption through drinking or cooking shall not contain a weighted average lead content in excess of 0.25% when evaluated in accordance with the test method in NSF/ANSI 372.

CSA B125.3 - 2012

SCOPE – AFFECTED PRODUCT IN RED

(a) anti-siphon fill valves;(b) automatic compensating valves other than those for individual wall-mounted showering systems;(c) flushometer valves and solenoid valves;(d) supply line stops;(e) temperature-actuated in-line mixing valves;(f) thermal expansion relief valves; and(g) trap primers.

CSA B125.3

Low Lead Adoption (by Province)

Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating

BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PEI NFLD NWT YK

ADOPTING OF THE 2013 INTERIM 

CHANGES (once published)

WITHIN 6 MONTHS unless asked 

otherwise

unknown at this time

2005 NPC currently TBC on future actions

NPC Changes Published in November 2013. MB 

enforces the codes (via automatic adoption) as per the date of publication. In this case they 

will use December 1, 2013 for both adoption and enforcement 

dates.

BY MINISTER'S RULING

Released January 29th 

2014.    It will be effective on April 29.  

Modifications to the NPC are automatically adopted six months later. Low lead 

modifications were made by NRC on October 31, 2013, so it will be effective May 1, 2014 in 

Quebec.

WITHIN 6 MONTHS

CURRENT AS OF JAN 1 2014

Currently has the NPC 2005 as the 

provincial plumbing code. In the process of changing to the 2010 edition. soon. Don't 

know if when the NPC 2010 code is adopted 2013 interim changes 

will be enforceable. As it stands using NPC 2005, PEI can only 

enforce the requirements set 

out in that version.

WITHIN 6 MONTHS

Does not adopt the 

NPC

Any amendments to the National Plumbing Code become law in Yukon as soon as they are printed.

link to ruling

released January 29th 

2014

ANTICIPATED ENFORCEMENT DATES (see 

note)

Jun‐14TBD in the draft reg

December 1st 2013

Jan‐14May 1st 2014

Jun‐14 Jan‐14 Jun‐14 Jan‐14

advicegazette code language

GRANDFATHERING OF PROJECTS PRIOR 

TO ADOPTION

polling members for timing 

TBD in the draft reg

Yes for all engineered mechanical 

plans stamped or permits 

issued before December 1

yes see advice link

YES YES YES YES YES

Note: The changes will come into effect with the 2013 Interim Changes to the 2010 NPC (anticipated publishing date‐Jan 2014) 

Note: The 2013 Interim Changes to the 2010 National Plumbing Code is anticipated to be published for public comments in mid November with the anticipated final publishing in early January 2014. Once published the Provinces and Territories have the option of adopting the changes and updates. At the August CACP meetings CIPH polled the Provincial regulators as to their intentions for adopting the updates and changes that is anticipated to be included in the 2013 Interim Changes. Included in this table is a recording of regulator intentions, anticipated enforcement dates and any intentions of grandfathering of existing projects. as of November 15th 2013. 

Low Lead Markings11

Markings

Canadian Institute of Plumbing & HeatingFebruary 2013

Canadian Institute of Plumbing & HeatingFebruary 2013

Low Lead: A Wholesaler’s Perspective

Products Affected

Canada USA

• Only products affected by CSA B125.1/.3-12

• SDWA Section 1417(a)(3) prohibits the introduction into commerce or use of “any pipe, or any pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture” that is not lead free.

Products Affected

Canada USA

The Supply Chain

Wholesalers

ManagingThe

Transition

CSA B125.1/.3-12

Manufacturers

Updated standards become

“The Law”when

referenced in Plumbing

Codes

Obligated to produce

according to newly defined

standards

Contractors Provinces/Municipalities

Obligated to follow local plumbing

codes

Once plumbing codes are adopted by

provinces, they become

“The Enforcer”

The Supply Chain

The Supply Chain -

Wholesalers

Wholesalers

ManagingThe Transition

• Take the appropriate actions to protect our customer – The Contractor• Communication

• Internally• Customers

• Smooth transition from standard to low-lead products• Clear identification on paperwork of compliant and non-compliant products• Product change schedule

The Supply Chain –

Wholesalers

The Supply Chain -

Wholesalers

2012 MEMBERSHIP SURVEY REPORTCanadian Institute of Plumbing & HeatingFebruary 2013 Canadian Institute of Plumbing & HeatingFebruary 2013