Japanese Brass Industries Concerned on New Tap Water Standard

Japanese 4 industry groups, Japan Valve Manufacturers’ Association, Japan Copper & Brass Association, Japan Foundry Society and Hitetsu Kinzoku Recycle Zenkoku Rengokai (Japanese scrap dealers’ association), hold a meeting on January 29th to discuss on Japanese government’s new standard for tap water purity. The new standard will be implemented in April 2010 and become effective in April 2012 after a 2-year moratorium.

The new standard defines the maximum tolerance of leaching cadmium in tap water at 0.0003 milligrams per litter from present 0.001 milligram per litter. Some water feeding components may not comply with the new standard. Related industries may be affected including brass bar makers or brass scrap dealers.

Japanese brass bar makers have produced cadmium-free products since 2005. They are concerned whether cadmium-free brass bar could meet the new standard. Conventional brass scrap might become unable to be used in the case brass bar makers adopt new adequate materials.