Drinking Water

Content Overview

This topic is specifically focused on drinking water as it is in contact with our *Core Products. These requirements may apply to manufacturers, importers, or retailers of products designed for personal use or for use in food establishments/enterprises.

For example, Drinking water in the EU is regulated by Directive (EU) 2020/2184 on the quality of water intended for human consumption, i.e. the Drinking Water Directive (DWD). Water intended for human consumption is defined to include:

1. All water intended for drinking, cooking, food preparation or other domestic purposes, regardless of its origin and whether it is supplied from a distribution network, from a tanker, or in bottles or containers;
2. All water used in any food-production undertaking for the manufacture, processing, preservation or marketing of products or substances intended for human consumption.

Who is impacted by the DWD?

Water suppliers, food business operators, as well as manufacturers of articles in contact with drinking water who are operating in EU Member States.

Risks of Non-Compliance

• Member States are mandated to establish rules regarding penalties applicable to infringements of national provisions adopted pursuant to the DWD.

• Penalties provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Member States were required, by 12 January 2023, to notify the Commission of those rules and measures and shall notify it of any subsequent amendments affecting them.

Our Coverage of Drinking Water Regulations

Our regulatory content in C2P is historically comprehensive with a robust QA process to ensure quality, consistency and accuracy. Below is a high level summary of our coverage for this topic:

• EU: Quality of Water for Human Consumption, Directive (EU) 2020/2184
• EU: Radioactive Substances in Water Intended for Human Consumption, Directive 2013/51/EURATOM
• Turkey: Water Intended for Human Consumption, Regulation, February 2005
• USA: Lead Free Pipes and Plumbing Products for Drinking Water, Rule, 40 CFR 141 and 143, September 2020, Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder, and Flux for Drinking Water, 85 FR 54235

*Note: Historically comprehensive for EEA (EU and EU members & Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) UK, Australia (including States), Canada (including Provinces) and USA (including States). On a go forward basis for Turkey, Switzerland, Ukraine, Russia/EAEU & China from May 2019. On a go forward basis for New Zealand from April 2022. On a go forward basis for Mercosur, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Mexico, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand from March 2024.

*Bottled water and related requirements, such as the labeling of bottled water, are not included as part of the Drinking Water topic. Requirements for municipal water supplies, such as requirements for proper filtration, treatment, testing, etc. are not included as part of our Drinking Water coverage. Products such as water filters and water purifiers are not Core Products.