Faucets and water delivery products designated as being "lead-free" are those that are compliant with state and federal drinking water legislation. In September 2006, the California Health and Safety Code 116875 (AB 1953) was approved in California in an attempt to reduce the amount of lead in drinking water. This legislation was superseded on January 4, 2011 by the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act which specifies that the weighted average lead content of pipes, fittings and fixtures used to convey drinking water cannot exceed 0.25% on wetted surfaces. This new legislation will take effect nationwide on January 4, 2014.
(Senate Bill 3874)
Lead in Drinking Water Law
What does it mean for products to be compliant with "lead-free" legislation?
Which products are affected by Senate Bill 3874?
The new legislation applies only to fixtures that are used to dispense drinking water including but not limited to lavatory faucets and kitchen faucets, prep/bar faucets, pot fillers, water dispensers, supply valves, and flex risers.
Download a list of Brasstech products affected by Senate Bill 3874.
Are Brasstech products compliant with the legal requirements of Senate Bill 3874?
Effective January 4, 2014, plumbing devices used to dispense potable water must be compliant with the new regulations. All applicable Brasstech products will meet these requirements as follows:
- All stocking orders received on or after October 1, 2013 will be shipped with low lead compliant product.
- Beginning on November 15, 2013, all orders will be shipped with low lead compliant product.
How can I tell if the product that I received meets the "lead-free" standard?
A 
symbol has been added to the box label on all applicable products indicating that the product meets the "lead-free" standard.
Don't some states currently require that products be "lead-free"?
Four states (California, Vermont, Maryland, and Louisiana) have previously enacted lead-free legislation which requires that the wetted surface of products contacted by consumable water contain less than 0.25% of lead by weight. All applicable Brasstech products that are shipped into these states are compliant with current legislation.
What is Brasstech's Return Policy for non-compliant product?
Effective October 1, 2013, Brasstech will no longer accept returns of non-compliant product with the exception of items related to product warrantee issues and/or Brasstech shipment errors.
If my faucet is not SB3874 compliant, does that mean that it is not safe?
No. According to the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI), lead levels have been reduced to nearly immeasurable amounts due to advancements in materials and manufacturing processes. Where trace amounts of lead have been found in drinking water, aging infrastructure, including pipe and plumbing system components have been the main contributors of trace amounts of lead in the water supply.