Nine To Noon Plumbers warn delay will make lead-free transition difficult
Mar 15, 2026
Greg Wallace, CEO of Master Plumbers, speaks as an industry representative on plumbing standards and lead risks. He discusses trans-Tasman standards, gaps in verification and labelling, and which products pose the highest lead risk. He warns about online and imported tapware, legal liability for installers, and the need for compulsory third-party verification to make the lead-free transition workable.
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Verification Gap Between NZ And Australia
- New Zealand lacks a mandatory third-party verification for lead-free plumbing products while Australia uses the WaterMark scheme.
- Greg Wallace explains WaterMark requires certification and marking on product and packaging, which New Zealand currently does not require.
Testing Shows Tapware Lead Risk To Children
- Significant proportions of tapware tested in New Zealand showed high lead levels, posing health risks for young children and bottle-fed babies.
- Greg Wallace cites Consumer NZ and Master Plumbers testing where about 1 in 10 samples failed to high levels.
Refuse Unmarked Products To Avoid Liability
- Do not install plumbing products that lack a clear lead-free marking because plumbers will be legally liable under the PGD Act.
- Greg Wallace recommends plumbers refuse unmarked products bought online to avoid legal and health risk.