NCQM — National Committee for Quality Management

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Industry reference

Drinking Water & Plumbing Products

Material composition, intended contact with drinking water, performance claims and installation context determine the review. Lead-free requirements and voluntary water-efficiency labeling address different characteristics and should not be used as substitutes for each other.

A product-specific review

Move from scope to evidence

  1. Define the product and activity

    Determine whether the product is intended for contact with drinking water and identify the relevant statutory and regulatory scope. Distinguish potable water applications from other plumbing uses. Product composition, function and exclusions affect which lead-free provisions require review.

  2. Connect requirements to evidence

    Connect material and certification evidence to the actual model and components. Review WaterSense requirements separately where a water-efficiency claim is made. A WaterSense label does not replace a lead-free conformity determination, and a material certificate does not establish every installed performance characteristic.

  3. Review interfaces and changes

    Review component substitutions, manufacturing changes and intended installation. Accessible design, local plumbing codes and customer specifications can add separate conditions. Keep the basis of each conclusion visible so that one certificate is not used to imply comprehensive approval.

3 source profiles

Requirements and technical resources

Review the references relevant to your product and activity. This selected federal collection does not replace a separate review of applicable state, local or contractual requirements.

Government technical standardDOJ

Accessible Design in Built Environments

2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

The 2010 ADA Standards address accessibility in covered facilities and include technical requirements affecting installed products and assemblies. Doors, plumbing fixtures, controls, routes and other elements must be assessed within their installed context. A manufacturer’s accessibility claim does not establish that a completed facility meets the applicable scoping and technical requirements.

Building Materials & Manufactured HousingDrinking Water & Plumbing ProductsGovernment Procurement & Technical Supply

Federal regulationEPA

Lead-Free Drinking Water Plumbing Products

Safe Drinking Water Act section 1417; 40 CFR Part 143 Subpart B

The federal lead-free plumbing rule concerns lead content in specified pipes, fittings, fixtures, solder and flux. It establishes calculation rules and a certification framework for covered manufacturers and importers. The lead-free designation is not equivalent to a finding that a complete drinking water system meets all water quality requirements, and it should be distinguished from lead-leaching performance claims.

Drinking Water & Plumbing ProductsBuilding Materials & Manufactured Housing

Recognition or voluntary programEPA

WaterSense Product Specifications and Certification

WaterSense final product specifications; WaterSense Product Certification System; WaterSense Program Guidelines

WaterSense combines category-specific efficiency and performance criteria with independent product certification. Eligible plumbing, irrigation and water-treatment products can earn the label through the applicable final specification and certification system. The program is voluntary and applies only to defined product categories. It does not replace mandatory plumbing, drinking water, electrical or other requirements governing a particular installation.

Drinking Water & Plumbing Products

Build a defensible review record

Identify the product configuration, the controlling provision and edition, the evidence required and the person authorized to make the decision. Keep a reason for exclusions and unresolved questions alongside confirmed requirements.

Revisit the record when design, materials, suppliers, software, claims or the applicable source changes. An earlier report remains useful only to the extent that it supports the current configuration and requirement.

Practice guidance