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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 104Pt. 12Ch. 5Art. 4§ 116876 Lead Limits In Water Devices

§ 116876 Lead Limits In Water Devices

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 116876 Lead Limits In Water Devices

Key Takeaways

  • •Starting January 1, 2023, companies can't make or sell water faucets, drinking fountains, or similar devices in California if they release more than a tiny bit of lead (1 microgram) into water.
  • •Starting July 1, 2023, stores can't sell these devices if they release too much lead either.
  • •If a device meets the lead rules, its package must show 'NSF/ANSI/CAN 61: Q ≤ 1' to prove it's safe.
  • •This rule covers things like kitchen faucets, fridge ice makers, and water coolers, but not all devices—some special ones have different rules.

Example

You buy a new kitchen faucet from a store.

The faucet must not let more than 1 microgram of lead into your drinking water. If it does, the store shouldn’t be selling it after July 2023. Look for the 'NSF/ANSI/CAN 61: Q ≤ 1' label to know it’s safe.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 116876 Lead Limits In Water Devices

(a) Commencing January 1, 2023, a person shall not manufacture, and offer for sale in the state, an endpoint device intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption that leaches more than one microgram of lead for test statistic Q or R, when normalized for a first draw sample up to or equal to one liter in volume, as calculated in accordance with the 2020 NSF International Standard 61, which became effective in the year 2020, and certified by an American National Standards Institute-accredited third party. (b) Commencing July 1, 2023, a person shall not introduce into commerce or offer for sale in the state an endpoint device intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption that leaches more than one microgram of lead for test statistic Q or R, when normalized for a first draw sample up to or equal to one liter in volume, as calculated in accordance with the 2020 NSF International Standard 61, which became effective in the year 2020, and certified by an American National Standards Institute-accredited third party. (c) The consumer-facing product packaging or product labeling of an endpoint device intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption that meets the “lead free” standard specified in subdivision (e) of Section 116875 and does not leach more than one microgram of lead for test statistic Q or R, when normalized for a first draw sample up to or equal to one liter in volume, as calculated in accordance with the 2020 NSF International Standard 61, which became effective in the year 2020, and certified by an American National Standards Institute-accredited third party, shall indicate that compliance by including the lettering “NSF/ANSI/CAN 61: Q ≤ 1” in an easily identifiable manner. (d) (1) For purposes of this section, “endpoint device” means a single device, such as a plumbing fitting, fixture, or faucet, that is typically installed within the last one liter of the water distribution system of a building. An endpoint device includes all of the following: (A) Remote chillers. (B) Lavatory faucets. (C) Bar faucets. (D) Kitchen faucets. (E) Hot and cold water dispensers. (F) Drinking fountains. (G) Drinking fountain bubblers. (H) Water coolers. (I) Glass fillers. (J) Residential refrigerator ice makers. (2) An endpoint device does not include either of the following: (A) Devices specifically exempted from section nine, “Mechanical Plumbing Devices,” of the 2020 NSF International Standard 61, which became effective in the year 2020. (B) Devices the 2020 NSF International Standard 61, which became effective in the year 2020, subjects to a different lead leaching standard or normalization requirement than that specified in subdivision (a). (Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 692, Sec. 1. (AB 100) Effective January 1, 2022.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

complianceofferinternational standardamerican national standardsconsumptionaccordancestarting januarycommencing january

Related Statutes

  • § 110531 Corn Masa Folic Acid Requirement
  • § 44056 Civil Penalties For Violations
  • § 116875 Lead-Free Plumbing Requirements
  • § 44014.2 Smog Station Certification Program
  • § 44050 Violation Citations And Fines

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 116876.
View Official Source