Installing a new faucet might seem like a simple task. But skipping over its certification can lead to serious consequences. Not all manufacturers hold faucets to the same safety standards. And just because you bought it from a reputable store doesn’t mean it was made to the safety standards you’d expect.
With the potential of lead in kitchen faucets, the risks to public health and safety are higher than many homeowners realize.
Recent investigations have uncovered a growing problem. Many faucets sold online aren't just faulty faucets. They're potentially hazardous, leaching harmful contaminants into your drinking water, including lead and carcinogens linked to serious health risks like liver and stomach cancer.
Health Risks Linked to Uncertified Faucets:
- Development issues: Lead can affect brain development, the nervous system, and reduce lung function.
- Cancer risk: Cancer-causing carcinogens linked to liver and stomach cancer.
- Organ damage: Chemicals tied to kidney and liver damage were found.
In this article, we’ll break down why product certification matters. We’ll look at the difference between a cUPC® certification mark and NSF/ANSI 372 compliance.
Understanding these labels will give you the power to make smarter, safer choices for your home and family.
The Hidden Risk Behind the Faucet
Between 2020 and 2024, over 35 million foreign-made, off-brand faucets have been sold in the United States. Many of these products are not tested or certified for safety compliance. And many come from countries where certification programs are weak or nonexistent.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sounded an alarm about this in May 2025. They noted several kitchen and bathroom faucets sold on Amazon contained dangerously high levels of lead.
The warning was serious: replace these faucets immediately or take precautions to avoid lead exposure.
Failing the Test: What Independent Labs Found in Uncertified Faucets
Independent testing by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and American faucet brand Moen uncovered alarming safety failures in a range of uncertified faucets. Out of 19 faucets rigorously tested, 17 failed to meet essential health and safety standards.
The findings highlight just how dangerous uncertified plumbing fixtures can be:
- 11 faucets leached lead, with one exceeding the legal limit by 509%.
- 15 faucets contained toxic chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, and organ damage.
- Pressure valves failed in multiple units, with some exceeding safe temperature thresholds by up to 750%.
- NDMA was found at levels 340% higher than the safety limit.
- TCP was present 590% over the safety limit.
- Carbazole was found 192% over the safety limit.
- NDEA, a gasoline-related compound, was found 18% above safety thresholds.
These failures don’t just affect plumbing performance. They pose real risks to human health, especially in homes with young children or pregnant individuals.
Why Certified Faucets Are Your First Line of Defense
The rise of subpar faucets in the market makes it especially important to know where your faucet comes from. Even more so to know whether it has trusted safety certifications.
For example, an NSF/ANSI 372-certified kitchen faucet or an IAPMO-certified water filter has been vetted to meet strict requirements for health and safety. These certifications help block harmful contaminants like lead from entering your water. So every time you turn on the tap, you’re choosing cleaner water and greater peace of mind for your entire family.
What Does cUPC Certification Mean?
When choosing a faucet, the cUPC® certification mark is an important indicator of quality and safety. Issued by IAPMO, this mark means the product complies with the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Canadian Plumbing Code (CPC).
To earn the cUPC certification, a faucet must pass rigorous third-party testing for:
- Material safety
- Performance and durability
- Plumbing code compliance
This certification is widely recognized and often required by building inspectors and code enforcement agencies for plumbing installations in residential and commercial projects.
IAPMO also checks other plumbing products for safety and compliance.
Their certification process includes testing for:
- Pressure resistance
- Material toxicity
- System compatibility
- Structural safety
So, when you see an IAPMO-tested and cUPC-certified faucet, it’s more than just a plumbing fixture. It’s a trusted choice for safety, reliability, and long-term performance.
Understanding NSF/ANSI 372 Certification
NSF/ANSI 372 certification focuses on lead exposure. It sets strict limits on how much lead can be present in any component of a drinking water system, including faucets.
This standard aligns with the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act and even California’s stricter lead-free plumbing requirements. It mandates a maximum weighted average lead content of 0.25% and even tighter controls for solders and fluxes at 0.2%.
The following products must meet these safety standards:
- Faucets
- Valves
- Pipes
- Gaskets
- Water filters
- Water softeners
- Reverse osmosis systems
Look for products certified to the NSF/ANSI 372 standard.
Unsafe Imports: Faucets Called Out for Toxic Lead Levels
This year, the CPSC called out 9 Chinese-made faucets from Amazon because of unsafe lead levels. Federal agencies have ramped up investigations, pressuring online marketplaces to crack down on counterfeit plumbing fixtures, but as of May 15, 2025, none of the Chinese companies have agreed to conduct an acceptable recall.
Consumers are urged to stop using these products immediately:
- VESLA: VESLA HOME Kitchen Faucet
- Yajie Sanitaryware: KZH Bathroom Faucet
- CEINOL-USA: CEINOL Bathroom Faucet (name implies American made but is in fact manufactured in China)
- Le Chang SANITARY: Rainsworth Bathroom Faucet
- NICTIE: NICTIE Bathroom Faucet
- HGN Sanitaryware: HGN Kitchen Faucet
- Qomolangma Sanitary Ware: Qomolangma Kitchen Faucet
- Kicimpro: Kicimpro Kitchen Faucet
- Whisper08: VFAUOSIT Kitchen Faucet
The reality is, enforcement can only do so much. Consumers must remain vigilant. Always check for certification marks and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Home and Health
Here’s your quick checklist to avoid the risks of uncertified faucets:
- Look for certification marks: cUPC, NSF, and IAPMO certified labels matter.
- Buy from reputable brands and retailers: Avoid unknown or unverified third-party sellers on online marketplaces.
- Verify certification online: Use IAPMO and NSF product directories.
- Replace suspect faucets: Replace any faucet or water filters that lack proper certification.
- Consider Aquasure’s products: Built with NSF/ANSI 372-compliant components, our products offer dependable quality and peace of mind. Our Premier Series Reverse Osmosis Filtration System comes with an NSF/ANSI 372-compliant faucet and parts.
Faucets without reputable certification can release lead and harmful chemicals into your drinking water, risking your family’s health.
Avoid spending money on substandard components. Choose brands like Aquasure that always offer faucet systems that are NSF/ANSI 372-certified lead-free.
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