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Resources
Compliant Products Spreadsheet/Price List
A consolidated spreadsheet of compliant Lead Free products & pricing.
MasterSpec® Documents
Download MasterFormat 95 and MasterFormat 04 Product MasterSpec documents with Lead Free included.
Identifying Lead Free Products
All of our brand’s products that apply to the Lead Free standard now carry new labeling.
New Standards from Coast to Coast
Introduced in February of 2006, California Assembly bill AB1953 launched a revolution in plumbing by setting newer, lower lead content standards for plumbing fixtures, valves, fittings and pipes. These new laws reduce the allowed content of lead from 8% to no more than 0.25% by weight on the wetted surfaces of all products that contact water used for drinking or cooking.
Signed in September 2006 and now in full effect, the California law has influenced the creation of similar laws in other states including Vermont, which has passed its own Senate Bill S152.
Lead Free: To California and Beyond...
It is the joint responsibility of plumbing manufacturers and distributors to ensure all products touched by these new lead laws are compliant.
Answering the Call
Since our early days, we’ve been at the forefront of delivering safe water in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
We’ve also invested significant research & development resources into the production of new Lead Free products. For over ten years, we have been working on reducing lead content in anticipation of newer low lead laws and as a result many of our existing products already meet or exceed the new lead requirements.
How do I get Started?
Depending on who you are, making the transition to Lead Free products can appear overwhelming at first. But we’ve outlined a 3-step process that will help you make the switch.
Step 1 – Get the Facts
First, you’ll need to understand the regulations in your area. If you live where Lead Free laws have been passed, you must make the change to Lead Free products for applications that involve water used for drinking or cooking. For those in other states, changing to Lead Free products is currently optional and not required by law; and you may continue to use our existing standard products.
Here are some resources to help you get up to speed:
"Lead Free - To California and Beyond"
Our video introduction to the new Lead Free requirements.
Viewable above
Lead Free Overview Presentation
Provides an overview of new Lead Free legislation, what it means and the steps we’re taking to help you make the change.
Order Your Lead Free Information Kit!
Take the first step in learning more about the Lead Free plumbing movement.
Our Lead Free info kit includes our introductory DVD, "Lead Free - To California and Beyond..." as well as our Lead Free information sheet and your own personal WeAreLeadFree.net wristband.
Lead Laws
An interactive map of states with details on their new Lead Free laws.
Lead Free Information Sheet
Helpful information about pending Lead Free laws.
Letter to Our Customers
Our letter to customers that explains our approach to addressing the new Lead Free regulations.
Identifying Lead Free* Products
Lead Free products from the brands of Watts Water Technologies have labeling that clearly identify them as Lead Free. This allows anyone to easily distinguish standard from Lead Free product. Some products also carry an identifying marker on their body.
If there's a standard and a Lead Free model of the same product, we've added the prefix "LF" to the Lead Free model number.
Example:
Standard Model: 25AUB-Z3
Lead Free Model: LF25AUB-Z3
If an item is only offered in Lead Free materials, the model number has not changed.
Sample Lead Free Label
Step 2 – Make a Plan
Once educated, it's time to develop your plan. Here are some steps to consider:
Tips on your move to Lead Free
- Identify your products that are affected. Or more simply asked, does the product convey water for drinking and cooking?
- Of your products, which ones already comply with Lead Free regulations?
- The products that don’t comply will need to be switched.
- Engineers/Contractors:
When specifying, you may need to update any spec language to include Lead Free compliance notes. - Distributors/Retailers:
You may need to review your inventory for products that are affected and determine when to transition to the new Lead Free versions in order to be ready for your state’s deadline. - Distributors/Retailers:
You may need to determine if your state requires any notification to consumers at point of purchase and ensure you address these requirements. - All:
We recommend that you have educational materials prepared to explain these changes to your customers or clients, should they require them.
- Engineers/Contractors:
Here are some resources to help you make your plan:
Compliant Products Spreadsheet/Price List
A consolidated spreadsheet of compliant Lead Free
products & pricing.
MasterSpec® Specifications
Download our updated MasterSpec® specification documents that include our Lead Free offering.
Step 3 – Make the Change
After you have developed a plan for switching to Lead Free products, you are ready to make the change. This step in the process involves transitioning all or specific portions of your business to use compliant Lead Free products. For distributors and retailers this can have significant logistical and marketing impacts that will require substantial time to implement.
Watts Water Technologies and its affected brands are committed to working with you to make the transition as smooth as possible. Contact your local authorized brand representatives to discuss your transition plans.
Lead Free Alerts
Want to be notified when we update the WeAreLeadFree.net web site with new resources?
More Information
For info on Lead Free plumbing and more check out these selected sites.