Brass alloy selection for drinking water contact — DZR requirements, lead limits, and approval routes in every major market.
Plumbing brass must satisfy two independent requirements simultaneously:
Traditional CW617N (leaded DZR-capable via CW602N) was once standard for plumbing. Today, CW724R / C69300 (EU/UK & US low-lead) and C6802 (US/Canada) are the dominant choices — CW724R / C69300 are dezincification-resistant by composition (low zinc, no β phase), C6802 achieves lead-free machinability through bismuth, and all three are fully RoHS/lead-free compliant.
In Europe, metals are accepted by listed composition — European positive lists from 31 December 2026, national lists (4MS / UBA, ACS) before — not by one lead percentage.
| Alloy | DZR | Lead | RoHS | Machinability | EU positive list | US lead-free (NSF/ANSI 372) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW724R | ✓ Intrinsic | ≤ 0.10% | ✓ Free | 85% | ✓ EUPL 1658 · B–D | ✓ Pb ≤0.10% | EU and UK potable water — lead-free, DZR and on the European positive list |
| C6802 | ✗ No | ≤ 0.10% | ✓ Free | free-cutting | Not listed | ✓ Pb ≤0.10% | US / Canada potable water — lead-free under NSF/ANSI 372 and AB 1953 |
| CW602N | ✓ As-inhibited | 1.7–2.8% | Ex 6(c) | 75–85% | Not listed · transition to 2032 | ✗ Pb 1.7–2.8% | DZR water service in the UK and under national approvals; in the EU within the transition to 31 December 2032 |
| C27450 | ✗ No | ≤ 0.25% | Ex 6(c) | 70% | Not listed | ✓ Pb ≤0.25% | Non-pressure water contact, gas valves, low-DZR-risk |
| CW617N | ✗ | 1.6–2.2% | Ex 6(c) | 90% | Not listed · transition to 2032 | ✗ Pb 1.6–2.2% | Non-potable service — above the US lead-free limit |
EU positive list: compositions authorised by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/367, Annex II, which applies from 31 December 2026 — shown with the entry number (EUPL) and the product groups (Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/365): B = fittings and ancillaries in building installations; C = components of group-B products, and fittings and ancillaries in water mains and treatment works; D = components of fittings and ancillaries in water mains and treatment works (under 0.1 % of the contact surface). Leaded brasses are not on the list. Compositions approved nationally between 13 July 2021 and 31 December 2026 — for example on the 4MS / UBA lists — may be used until 31 December 2032 if the product meets 5 µg/l lead at the tap; for product group D only (components in water mains and treatment works, not in building installations), entry 1691 accepts other copper alloys with Pb ≤ 1.8 % until 31 December 2031. US lead-free: the grade’s lead range against the 0.25% weighted-average limit of NSF/ANSI 372. Approvals (WRAS, Kiwa, ACS, DVGW, NSF/ANSI 61) are granted to the finished product.
For fittings destined for European, UK, or Australian regulated plumbing markets, CW724R (CuZn21Si3P) is the primary choice.
Machinability: about 85% — slower than CW617N but excellent for CNC brass fittings.
For North American markets, C6802 (bismuth brass) per JIS H3250 is a common route; it meets the NSF/ANSI 372 and California AB 1953 lead-free limits at the material level.
Machinability: ~90% — the highest of the lead-free grades, well suited to high-volume CNC production.
CW602N (arsenic-inhibited DZR) was the traditional DZR grade before silicon brasses dominated. It still contains lead (1.7–2.8%) and is subject to RoHS Exemption 6(c).
CW602N maintains its value in marine and industrial water systems outside drinking water scope.
| Component | Recommended Alloy | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Compression fittings (EU) | CW724R | DZR + WRAS/KIWA/DVGW approval |
| Push-fit fittings (EU) | CW724R | DZR + dimensional precision |
| Ball valve bodies (EU) | CW724R | DZR + hot-forge capable + lead-free |
| Compression fittings (US) | C6802 | NSF 61 + AB 1953 compliant |
| Gate/ball valves (US) | C6802 | NSF 61 + JIS H3250 |
| Gas meter fittings | C27450 | Low lead + machinability |
| Industrial water circuits | CW602N | DZR (non-potable scope) |
| Copper tube / fittings | C11000 | Highest corrosion resistance, ≥99.9% Cu |
Brassland manufactures CW724R and C6802 fittings with EN 10204 3.1 certificates. Tell us your approval target and we'll specify the right grade.
Request a Quote Approvals GuideThis guide covers alloy selection. To have components machined to your drawing, see the matching manufacturing pages:
Composition ranges, mechanical properties, machinability ratings and regulatory data on this page are cross-referenced against the publishers below. Tolerances and minimum values are taken from the relevant published standard at the time of writing — for procurement specification, always reference the current published edition.
Last reviewed: September 2026. EN/ISO/ASTM standards are updated periodically. This datasheet reflects the editions listed; for safety-critical or contract-critical applications, always verify against the current published edition of the standard. For project-specific deviations or supplier-specific composition windows, request a Type 3.1 mill certificate (EN 10204) with your order.
Brassland manufactures brass turned parts and CNC machined components to your drawing in Jamnagar, India, including precision turned brass components on 28+ Swiss-type lathes, with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate on every shipment.