Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comments for rulemaking purposes to implement the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act, which became effective Jan. 4, 2014. Feedback is being sought in the areas of labeling of lead-free products, labeling of non-potable use products, and the associated certification of compliance.
Signed by President Obama in 2011, the law reduces the federally mandated level of permissible lead from a maximum of 8.0 percent with respect to pipes and pipe fittings to a maximum weighted average of 0.25 percent with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures used to convey water for human consumption. The law also sets the benchmark for solder and flux at 0.2 percent.
The EPA held its initial “Notice of a Public Meeting, Regulations Implementing Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act: Prohibition on Use of Lead Pipes, Solder and Flux” on April 14. At the meeting, which IAPMO Vice President of Government Relations Dain Hansen attended in person, the EPA said it would analyze the comments received and expects to issue a proposed regulation in early 2016. The EPA is not expected to have a codified final regulation for at least two years. To view the EPA’s slideshow presentation from the event, visit http://goo.gl/ymSVmn.
“We’re excited that the EPA has begun the process to promulgate these important regulations. This is a critical step toward having a clear understanding of how this law will be enforced and enacted,” Hansen said.
Hansen said The IAPMO Group will submit comments to the EPA ahead of the April 30 deadline, and he encouraged organizations impacted by the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act to do so as well. Comments may be submitted via email to leadfreeact@epa.gov. Comments will be accepted through April 30.
ASSE International is seeking members to update or create the following product standards: ASSE 1012, ASSE 1023, ASSE 1051, ASSE 1376, and ASSE 1391. Working group members will be assisting the Product Standards Committee (PSC) with the continued development of these existing and prospective American National Standards. (ASSE 1376 and 1391 are new standards.)
ASSE International is seeking working group members to update three professional qualification standards — ASSE 12000 Standard for Water Management and Infection Control Risk Assessment for Building Systems; ASSE 13000 Standard for Service Plumber and Residential Mechanical Service Technician; and ASSE 27000 Standard for Hybrid Fire Extinguishing Systems Personnel.
IAPMO’s Systems Certification Body (SCB) has been accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to provide ISO 45001:2018 certification to existing and prospective clients wishing to demonstrate the effectiveness of their occupational health and safety management system.