ANN ARBOR, MICH. — NSF Intl. announced that California Metal-X (CMX) is the first brass ingot manufacturer to receive certification to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 (NSF 61) – Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects by NSF International.  Certification to this American National Standard for public water supply products is required by the California Waterworks Standards. The certification also includes Annex G, which meets the requirements of the California Health and Safety Code 116875 requirements for lead content, commonly known as AB 1953.

NSF/ANSI Standard 61 addresses health effects of materials, components and products that contact drinking water. Currently, all U.S. States require public water supply products to comply with NSF 61, and most plumbing codes across the country also require pipes, faucets and other products to meet the American National Standard.

The California Health and Safety Code will require most plumbing products sold after Jan. 1, 2010, to be certified for an average weighted lead content of 0.25%. The new lead requirement applies to manufacturers of faucets, valves, water fittings and other products that come in contact with drinking water. Certification of products to NSF 61, Annex G demonstrates compliance with this low lead requirement.

“Certification of the CMX metal combination to NSF 61, Annex G provides a solution to manufacturers whose water supply and plumbing products must comply with the new California law for lead content,” said Dave Purkiss, general manager for NSF’s Water Treatment and Distribution program. “By using a brass alloy that is certified to NSF 61, Annex G, product manufacturers can be assured the material has been tested for lead content and for other contaminants that might leach into drinking water.”

Products made from an NSF Certified alloy require separate testing and certification to NSF 61, Annex G, to ensure contamination does not occur in the processing of the alloy, as well as testing of other materials in the products that may contribute contaminants. CMX successfully met all of these requirements and is listed on NSF International’s Web site to demonstrate compliance. 

The NSF 61 Annex G Certification Mark on water supply and plumbing products demonstrates compliance to the 0.25% low lead requirement in California and Vermont.

“We are excited about NSF/ANSI Standard 61 certification of Alloy C87850, Eco Brass,” said CMX President Tim Strelitz. “It represents a no lead alloy, which is cost effective, green and complies with all potable water health issues as raised by AB 1953.”

The current version of the California Waterworks Standards is available on the California Department of Public Health's Web site.