EU publications

Support to the implementation of the DW Directive

Study on materials in contact with drinking water : final report - Study

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When products such as pipes or valves manufactured from inappropriate materials are in contact with drinking water, impurities can leach into the drinking water or the materials may encourage microbial growth. As a result, these materials may pose a significant risk to human health, may cause taste and odour (organoleptic) issues and may even affect the aquatic environment if their residues are not removed in wastewater treatment. The Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC) (DWD) recognises the need to govern the use of materials in contact with drinking water. Article 10 (see box) requires Member... States (MSs) to ensure that no such substances remain in drinking water at concentrations harmful to human health. However, it does not stipulate how this is to be achieved. Many MSs have developed their own requirements and approval schemes for demonstrating compliance with Article 10. There is currently little harmonisation or mutual recognition of these between MSs, and industry cites this as causing barriers to trade. The consequence for manufacturers and suppliers of materials/products in contact with drinking water is that they need to separately demonstrate compliance with national requirements for each MS in which they want to market their product(s). It is currently not possible to use a CE mark for this purpose, due to the lack of harmonisation. Addressing the issue of the application of Article 10 has been highlighted by stakeholders in the current review of the DWD being undertaken by the European Commission. The European Commission assigned this study: “Support to the Implementation and Further Development of the Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC): Study on Materials in contact with Drinking Water” to assess the problem of materials and products affecting the quality of drinking water.