California set the 0.25% lead limit before it was federal law. Both rules are still active today — here’s how they actually fit together.
Short answer: AB 1953 (California, 2006) and the federal Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act (2011) both cap wetted-surface lead content at a weighted average of 0.25%. Neither replaced the other — they run in parallel, with the same numeric threshold.
Key Takeaways
- AB 1953 amended California Health & Safety Code §116875, operative January 1, 2010 — years before the federal rule existed.
- The federal Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act matched the same 0.25%/0.2% thresholds, effective January 4, 2014.
- California’s statute was not repealed — it still applies independently alongside federal law.
- Since 2020, EPA requires third-party certification (e.g., NSF/ANSI/CAN 372) to prove compliance; the certification deadline was September 1, 2023.
What AB 1953 Actually Requires
- Prohibits selling pipes, pipe fittings, or fixtures “intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption” unless lead-free
- Lead-free defined as: 0.25% weighted average on wetted surfaces (pipes/fittings/fixtures), 0.2% for solder and flux
- Enacted 2006, operative January 1, 2010
- Codified at California Health & Safety Code §116875
How the Federal Rule Compares
The federal Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act (2011) amended the Safe Drinking Water Act §1417, lowering the national threshold from 8% lead to the same 0.25%/0.2% figures California had already set. The EPA states the current definition as 0.25% lead calculated across the wetted surfaces of a pipe, pipe fitting, plumbing fitting and fixture, and 0.2% lead for solder and flux.
| California AB 1953 | Federal SDWA §1417 | |
|---|---|---|
| Enacted | 2006 | 2011 |
| Effective | Jan 1, 2010 | Jan 4, 2014 |
| Lead limit (fittings) | 0.25% weighted avg | 0.25% weighted avg |
| Lead limit (solder/flux) | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Status today | Still active, independent | Still active, nationwide |
In practice, meeting one usually means meeting the other — but California’s non-potable exemption threshold (8% for non-potable use) differs in detail from the federal exemption’s category-based approach. Don’t assume they’re identical in every edge case; check both texts for products near an exemption boundary.
For a broader look at what to verify before ordering, see Fenilo’s importers and distributors page.
What’s Exempt?
- Products used exclusively for non-potable service: irrigation, industrial process water, outdoor watering
- Specific fixture types: toilets, bidets, urinals, fill valves, flushometer valves, tub fillers, shower valves, service saddles
- Water distribution main gate valves 2 inches or larger in diameter
- Fire hydrants (added by the Community Fire Safety Act, 2013)
How Do You Prove Compliance?
Since a September 2020 EPA rule, manufacturers and importers must certify compliance through an ANSI-accredited third-party certifier — self-declaration isn’t enough. The EPA rule requires that manufacturers and importers certify that their products meet the requirements using a consistent verification process, and that certification became mandatory on September 1, 2023.
- NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 is the standard most certifiers (NSF International, CSA Group, Kiwa) use to test and certify the 0.25%/0.2% threshold
- Certification deadline for this requirement: September 1, 2023
- See our companion guide: NSF/ANSI 61 vs NSF/ANSI 372
The lead-free vs leaded distinction this video covers is exactly what AB 1953 and the federal rule require manufacturers to certify.
For product details, see Fenilo’s brass thread fittings and brass insert fittings.
Shipping brass fittings into California or the US market?
Fenilo manufactures brass fittings and PPR valve components in its own plant in Yuhuan, Zhejiang, with hot forging, CNC machining and five-stage inspection under one roof. Material grade and the certification documentation your destination market requires can be discussed per project — send the SKU and the target market with your inquiry.
Discuss your market requirementsFAQ
Did the federal rule replace AB 1953?
No. California’s statute remains independently in force. The two now share the same numeric threshold, but neither has repealed the other.
Is self-certification enough to prove lead-free compliance?
No, not since 2020. EPA requires certification through an ANSI-accredited third-party certifier such as NSF, CSA Group, or Kiwa.
Does this apply outside the US?
No — this is US federal and California state law specifically. For UK/EU requirements, see WRAS vs NSF for UK/EU vs US markets.
Bottom line: request current NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 (or equivalent) certification for the specific SKU, not just a general “lead-free” claim, before importing brass fittings for US potable-water use.