An Australian PVC industry voluntary initiative to phase out the use of lead stabilisers in pipe has been achieved by all members of the Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA).
PVC pipe signatories to the Australian PVC industry's Product Stewardship Program agreed in 2002 to phase out the use of lead stabilisers in pipes and fittings by the end of 2008 due to community concern of upstream environmental and health issues associated with lead.
Lead stabilisers haven't been used by major manufacturers in potable water pipes since the late 1980s. The increasing supply of alternative stabilisers, including calcium zinc and organic based products, means that substitution across all pipe products has become possible. Working with both stabiliser suppliers and the pipe manufacturers, the Product Stewardship Program facilitated the agreement to phase out lead stabilisers.
