UL to Establish Testing for Low-Level Lead Compliance in California

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has announced that it will establish its testing protocols for low-level lead compliance with California Assembly Bill 1953 (AB 1953) based on the results of the round-robin study currently being conducted to validate the testing protocol for inclusion in Annex G of ANSI/NSF Standard 61.

UL has been actively engaged with both the state of California and the industry to determine what protocols, including Annex G, will be accepted by the state. UL is an active member of the ANSI/NSF Standard 61 Lead Task Group that developed Annex G. Completion of the round-robin study is anticipated in the next two to three months.

"With the effective date less than one year away, UL recognizes the urgency for manufacturers to submit products and demonstrate compliance with the new low lead requirements," said Jeff Smith General Manager, UL Global Water Business. "UL anticipates launching its lead content verification services by the end of April, which will contain testing protocols based on the latest results of the round-robin study. This will give our customers the highest degree of confidence that the evaluation we provide will be recognized by the State of California and in compliance with AB 1953."

Signed into law on Sept. 30, 2006, AB 1953 revises the existing law which defines lead free as not more than 8% lead content when used with respect to pipes and fittings and not more than 4% lead content by dry weight with respect to plumbing fittings and fixtures. AB 1953, which has an effective date of January 1, 2010, will require all products intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption to not exceed 0.25% weighted average lead content. Similar legislation has also been signed into law in Vermont.

The bill can be viewed in its entirety at www.leginfo.ca.gov.

Source: Underwriters Laboratories