Your obligations under Queensland's NCBP laws
In Queensland, the Non-Conforming Building Product (NCBP) laws apply to everyone in the chain of responsibility for a building product — including suppliers and installers.
If you supply or install a plumbing product that does not meet the relevant requirements, you may face regulatory or enforcement action.
Under Part 6AA of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991, you must:
- take meaningful, proactive steps to ensure a product is compliant
- ensure a product is not an NCBP before installation, or before giving a product to someone else to install
- understand and meet your duties as a person in the chain of responsibility
What is a non-conforming building product?
A plumbing product may be an NCBP if it:
- does not meet relevant regulatory provisions
- is not safe, or
- does not perform as claimed
If a plumbing product requires a WaterMark licence but does not have one, it will not meet the regulatory provisions and will be considered a likely NCBP.
Understanding regulatory provisions
The NCC and associated Australian Standards form the basis of Queensland’s regulatory requirements for plumbing and drainage work. Plumbing products listed on the WaterMark Schedule of Products must hold a current WaterMark certification.
How to check if a product is lead-free and compliant
The simplest way to confirm compliance is to look for the Lead-Free WaterMark certification trademark on the product or packaging. Always verify the certification on the ABCB WaterMark Product Database.
What happens if the QBCC suspects an NCBP?
If the QBCC believes a building product may be an NCBP, it can investigate any person in the chain of responsibility.
Possible actions include:
- issuing a notice to remedy
- prosecuting a person or company
- investigating executive officers
- referring the product to the Minister to issue a ministerial warning or recall
Report suspected NCBPs
If you come across a plumbing product without a WaterMark or suspect it is non-conforming, do not install it.
You must report it to the QBCC within two (2) days.
More information about how to report a NCBP is available on Report non-conforming building product or incident, or you can email ncbp@qbcc.qld.gov.au.
Protect Queenslanders—check, verify and report
Make compliance part of your everyday practice.
Before supplying or installing any plumbing product:
- Check for the Lead-Free WaterMark
- Verify its certification online
- Report anything suspicious immediately
Together, we can keep Queensland homes and businesses safe.
