G/TBT/N/USA/1261/Add.2  
 
2 September 2020  
(20-5978) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication , dated  2 September 2020 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States of America . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Title: Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder and Flux for Drinking Water  
 
Reason for Addendum:  
[  ] Comment period changed - date:   
[X] Notified measure adopted - date: 1 September 2020  
[  ] Notified measure published - date:  
[X] Notified measure enters into force - date: 1 October 2020  
[X] Text of final measure available from1:  
https://www.govinfo.gov/co ntent/pkg/FR -2020-09-01/html/2020 -16869.htm  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2020-09-01/pdf/2020 -16869.pdf  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/TBT/USA/final_measure/20_5262_00_
e.pdf 
[  ] Notified measure withdrawn or revoked - date:  
Relevant symbol if measure re -notified:   
[  ] Content or scope of notified measure changed  
New deadline for comments (i f applicable):   
[  ] Interpretive guidance issued and text available from1:  
[  ] Other:  
 
Description:  AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  
ACTION: Final rule  
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing changes to existing regulations 
to protect the public from lead in plumbing materials used in public water systems or residential or 
nonresidential facilities providing water for human consum ption. The changes in this rule codify 
aspects of the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act of 2011 (RLDWA) and the Community Fire 
Safety Act of 2013 (CFSA). The RLDWA amended section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 
(SDWA), which prohibits the use an d introduction into commerce of certain plumbing products that 
are not "lead free." The RLDWA revised the definition of lead free to lower the allowable maximum 
lead content of plumbing products; and established a statutory method for calculating lead cont ent. 
EPA is also establishing new requirements for manufacturers or importers that introduce into 
 
1 This information can be provided by including a website address, a pdf attachment, or other 
information on where the text of the final measure and/or interpretive guidance can be obtained.  G/TBT/N/USA/1261/Add.2  
 
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  commerce products that must meet lead free requirements to certify such products as being in 
compliance with the lead free requirements in Section 1417 of the  SDWA, as well as other changes 
to existing regulations to assist in implementation of Section 1417 of the SDWA, as amended. EPA 
expects that these requirements for lead content in plumbing materials used in new installations and 
repairs will result in few er sources of lead in drinking water and, consequently, will reduce adverse 
health effects associated with exposure to lead in drinking water. The SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section details EPA's changes to existing regulations as authorized under the SDWA 
as amended.  
DATES: This final rule is effective on 1 October 2020. The compliance date for the product 
certification requirements in 40 CFR 143.19 is 1 September 2023. For purposes of judicial review, 
this rule is promulgated as of 1 September 2020.  
This f inal rule and previous actions notified under the symbol G/TBT/N/USA/1261  are identified by 
Docket Number EPA -HQ-OW-2015-0680.   The Docket Folder is available on Regulations.gov  at 
https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA -HQ-OW-2015-0680 and provides access to primary 
and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from 
Regulations.gov  by searching the Docket Number.  
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