NSF: “Europe’s drinking water product sector is underprepared for 2027”

The revised EU Drinking Water Directive is introducing harmonised minimum hygiene requirements for materials that come into contact with water intended for human consumption, from 1 January 2027. For the drinking water product sector this new legislation opens a unified EU market, but manufacturers are underprepared. That is the conclusion of a study conducted by NSF, the organisation for the development of public health standards, certified products and services that help protect the world’s food, water, consumer products and environment.

‘Independent research commissioned by NSF among 110 senior decision-makers across five markets finds that many manufacturers are mistaking awareness for readiness. Almost every respondent said they understand EU Minimum Hygiene Requirements (EU-MHR). Very few have completed the practical work that turns understanding into evidence, documentation, testing plans and readiness for conformity assessment. The risk is no longer simply regulatory. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and utilities are already writing EU-MHR conformity into specifications for post-2026 delivery, and a supplier who cannot answer a customer’s billof-materials requirements will be designed out long before the transition period ends in 2032’, states the report

Significant regulatory change

The transition to the EU Minimum Hygiene Requirements (EU-MHR) represents one of the most significant regulatory changes to the European drinking water sector in decades. The framework is designed to provide a harmonised route to market across the European Union. However, NSF’s latest industry research reveals a significant gap between awareness and readiness.

Positive list of substances

In 2020, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) started with a list of substances that can be safely used in materials that come into contact with drinking water. The aim was to improve consumer protection and ensure equal safety standards for industry. In the future only substances on this list are allowed to be used. The new Drinking Water Directive gives ECHA a key role to ensure that only safe substances can be used in pipes and taps in contact with water. This harmonisation will facilitate the smooth functioning of the internal market for products in contact with drinking water while improving public health.

Food safety regulations

The Drinking Water Directive requires that starting substances, compositions or constituents used in manufacturing materials that come into contact with drinking water, from the water source to the tap, must be listed in the positive lists. Once the water flows from the tap, materials that come into contact with it are managed under food safety regulations.

Background

In 2019 the Environment Council proposed a new procedure to set hygienic requirements for materials and chemicals in contact with water intended for human consumption. The European water sector asked for hygienic requirements for materials under this directive since the European Commission announced the recast.