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 — both are inherently DZR via silicon kappa-phase and fully RoHS/lead-free compliant.
| Alloy | DZR | Lead | RoHS | Machinability | WRAS/KIWA/DVGW | NSF 61 | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW724R | ✓ Intrinsic | ≤ 0.10% | ✓ Free | 80% | ✓ Approvable | Via B371 | EU/UK/EU markets, primary DZR lead-free grade |
| C6802 | ✓ Intrinsic | ≤ 0.09% | ✓ Free | 78% | EU equiv. | ✓ Certified | US/Canada, NSF 61 required, AB 1953 |
| CW602N | ✓ As-inhibited | 1.5–2.5% | Ex 6(c) | 62% | Market-dep. | ✗ | Legacy systems, non-DW industrial water circuits |
| C27450 | ✗ No | ≤ 0.09% | ✓ Free | 55% | Market-dep. | ✗ | Non-pressure water contact, gas valves, low-DZR-risk |
| CW617N | ✗ | 1.6–2.5% | Ex 6(c) | 100% | ✗ | ✗ | Not suitable for potable water contact |
For fittings destined for European, UK, or Australian regulated plumbing markets, CW724R (CuZn21Si3P) is the primary choice.
Machinability: 80% — slower than CW617N but excellent for CNC brass fittings.
For North American markets, C6802 (CuZn17Si4) per ASTM B371 is the standard. Certified to NSF/ANSI 61 and compliant with California AB 1953.
Machinability: 78% — comparable to CW724R for high-volume CNC production.
CW602N (arsenic-inhibited DZR) was the traditional DZR grade before silicon brasses dominated. It still contains lead (1.5–2.5%) 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 + ASTM B371 |
| 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: May 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.