MBIE will be publishing the revised acceptable solution and verification method documents in November 2023

By announcing these decisions prior to the publication of the revised Building Code documents, MBIE aim to provide certainty and direction to the sector, to give manufacturers, suppliers and installers time to comply with the new requirements, and to prepare information and education to support the sector and public with the changes.

MBIE is amending the acceptable solutions and verification methods to support plumbing and drainage work in Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes changes for the compliance pathways for water supplies, foul water, and surface water drainage systems. These changes are the latest in a series of continuous improvements to ensure the Building Code compliance pathways for the plumbing sector are fit for purpose and up to date. 

Changes to lead in plumbing products

MBIE is amending Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 to limit the maximum allowable content of lead permitted in plumbing products. The amended document will limit the maximum lead content of any product that contains copper alloys, intended for use in contact with potable water for human consumption. This includes products such as pipe fittings, valves, taps, mixers, water heaters, and water meters. The transition period for this change will end on 1 September 2025.

As the transition period extends to 2025, the revised acceptable solution will be published in alignment with the rest of the plumbing and drainage updates in November 2023.

MBIE indicated in their consultation proposal the intent to align the lead in plumbing products transition period for New Zealand with the time when equivalent requirements will come into force in Australia. The transition period end date for the introduction of equivalent requirements in Australia has recently been extended by 8 months to 1 May 2026. MBIE are currently considering the implications of the revised transition period end date for New Zealand to re-align with Australia.

Read the decisions for amending acceptable solution G12/AS1

Changes to plumbing and drainage

Feedback from the consultation has been considered and has resulted in some modifications to the content which was originally proposed. The main changes relate to water supplies, and individuals are encouraged to read the outcomes documents for specific feedback.

The adoption of the latest version of the AS/NZS 3500 plumbing and drainage standards is a key part of these amendments. MBIE participated in the development of these standards and the new versions include a number of New Zealand-specific requirements, making some of the previous New Zealand Building Code modifications to the standards no longer necessary. These standards are cited as compliance pathways in several Acceptable Solutions.

Read the decisions for acceptable solutions and verification methods for E1, G12, and G13