Faucet "lead shadow" incident Supor bathroom was suspected behind the scenes
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In a recent incident that has stirred up the sanitary ware industry, a report titled “Faucet Lead Shadow†implicated nine major Chinese and international brands, including Jiumu, Hengjie, Lejia, Moen, and GROHE, in a so-called “toxic leader†scandal. These brands had previously passed quality inspections by the Shanghai Bureau of Quality Supervision, leading them to suspect foul play by competitors. Behind the scenes, some have even pointed fingers at Supor, a brand promoting “lead-free†stainless steel taps, as the possible mastermind behind the controversy.
The issue gained public attention when a TV program called “One-seventh†aired an investigative report on July 14th, revealing that 9 out of 13 faucet samples tested exceeded lead limits. Brands like Moen and Deta were found to have lead levels 2-6 times higher than the standard, while Jiumu and GROHE showed levels 18 times over, and Lejia reached an alarming 173 µg/L—34 times above the limit. This raised serious concerns about the safety of everyday bathroom fixtures.
What makes this situation even more troubling is that these are not small or unknown brands. Jiumu, for example, holds prestigious titles such as “China Famous Brand†and “National Inspection-Free Products,†and claims to operate a fully “lead-free†production line. Similarly, Moen, known for its high-end faucets, and Roca, one of the world’s largest sanitary ware manufacturers, are now caught in the same controversy.
Experts warn that excessive lead in tap water can cause serious health risks, including kidney stones and lead poisoning, which is comparable in severity to the melamine scandal. The fact that well-known brands ended up with lead levels far beyond acceptable limits has shocked consumers and raised questions about the entire industry.
In response, several affected brands issued statements denying the findings, questioning the testing methods and standards used. Some claimed the results came from unofficial sources, while others labeled the report as misleading. Meanwhile, East China University of Science and Technology, the institution responsible for the tests, faced widespread criticism.
Interestingly, just days before the report was released, the same brands had been listed as qualified in a Shanghai quality inspection. This discrepancy has left many confused about whether the faucets are truly “toxic†or if the tests were manipulated.
Amid the chaos, Supor, a relatively new player in the bathroom industry, has come under suspicion. The company recently launched a flagship store in Beijing promoting “lead-free†stainless steel taps, which some believe may be part of a larger scheme. However, Supor’s chairman denied the allegations, calling them “nonsense†and insisting the company only focuses on its own business.
Whether this incident is the result of malicious competition or genuine quality issues remains unclear. Industry insiders suggest that reputable brands should focus on maintaining their integrity rather than blaming external forces. After all, if products are truly safe, no amount of framing should be able to damage their reputation.