G/TBT/N/U SA/1261  
 
24 January 2017   
(17-0435) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original : English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member : UNITED STATES OF AME RICA  
If applicable, name of local government involved  (Article 3.2 and 7.2) : 
2. Agency responsible : Environmental Protec tion Agency (EPA) [1281]  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification  shall be indicated if different from above : 
Please su bmit comments to : USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point  
Email : usatbtep@nist.gov   
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ X], 2.10.1 [  ], 5.6.2 [  ], 5.7.1 [  ], other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. 
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable) : Pipes, fittings, fixtures . 
Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor (for example, joints, elbows, flanges), of 
plastics. (HS : 3917) . Water quality (ICS : 13.060), Domestic  safety (ICS : 13.120), Pipeline 
components and pipelines (ICS : 23.040)  
5. Title, number of pages  and language(s)  of the notified document : Use of Lead Free 
Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder and Flux for Drinking Water (21 pages, in English)  
6. Descriptio n of content : The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to make 
conforming changes to existing drinking water regulations based on the Reduction of Lead 
in Drinking Water Act of 2011 (RLDWA) and the Community Fire Safety Act of 2013 
(CFSA). Sectio n 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) prohibits the use and 
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 
from 8.0 percent to  a weighted average of 0.25 percent of the wetted surfaces of plumbing 
products and established a statutory method for calculating lead content. In addition, the 
RLDWA created exemptions from the lead free requirements for plumbing products that 
are used e xclusively for nonpotable services as well as for other specified products. The 
CFSA further amended section 1417 to exempt fire hydrants from these requirements.  
EPA proposes to establish new requirements to assure that individuals purchasing, 
installing or inspecting potable water systems can identify lead free plumbing materials. 
Specifically, EPA proposes to establish labeling requirements to differentiate plumbing 
products that meet the lead free requirements from those that are exempt from the lead 
free requirements and to require manufacturers to certify compliance with the lead free 
requirements. These proposed requirements would reduce inadvertent use of non -lead free 
plumbing products in potable use applications and, consequently, reduce exposure t o lead 
in drinking water and associated adverse health effects.  
7. Objective and rationale , including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable : Protection of human health or safety; Protection of the environment ; 
Prevention of deceptive practices an d consumer protection  G/TBT/N/USA/1261  
 
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  8. Relevant documents : 82 Federal Register (FR) 4805, 17 January 2017; Title 40 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 141 and 143.  Will appear in the Federal Register when 
adopted.  
9. Proposed date of adoption : To be determined  
Proposed date of entry into force : To be determined   
10. Final date for comments : 17 April 2017  
11. Texts available from : National enquiry point  [ ] or address, telephone and fax 
number s and e mail and website address es, if available , of other body : 
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/TBT/USA/17_0428_00_e.pdf