Information on the compliant use of elastomers in contact with drinking water

Frankfurt/Cologne, 10 May 2021

Hygienic requirements for elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers in contact with drinking water are included in the regulatory scope of the evaluation criteria for plastics and other organic materials (KTW-BWGL). This means that they will be binding for elastomers, TPEs and products made of these materials in the near future.

The Bundesvereinigung der Firmen im Gas- und Wasserfach e.V. (figawa) and the Wirtschaftsverband der deutschen Kautschukindustrie e.V. (wdk) have been committed for years on behalf of their member companies to establishing clear and implementable regulations for elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) in contact with drinking water at national and European level.

The drinking water supply in Germany and Europe can only function with high-quality and hygienically safe elastomer products. The companies of the German rubber industry make a decisive contribution to drinking water suppliers and domestic installations with their seals, expansion joints, membranes, tank linings, internal pipe seals, hoses and with many other products. These are used in corresponding products of figawa's member companies. This interaction of the various products is essential for the safe use of drinking water for consumers. To this end, the European Commission and the national German legislator have drawn up binding rules.

Nationally, the KTW evaluation criteria (KTW-BWGL) and the transitional regulation on conformity confirmation are currently being processed. With the participation of the German Environment Agency, figawa and wdk therefore organised an online event for their member companies on 29 April 2021 to clarify open questions on hygienic requirements for elastomers in contact with drinking water in the context of the revision of the KTW-BWGL. 

At the same time, the responsible representatives of the German Environment Agency were able to use the event, which was very well attended by 140 participants, to present the planned national requirements to the companies and to give an outlook on future European regulations.

More information at https://figawa.org/en/topics/domestic-water-supply/elastomers/ und www.wdk.de/trinkwasser-unterseite-von-tee/ zur Verfügung. 


Press contact:

Bundesvereinigung der Firmen im Gas- und Wasserfach e.V. (figawa) 
Hanna Seeck
Communication
Fon: +49 221 37668 39
seeck@figawa.de

wdk Wirtschaftsverband der deutschen Kautschukindustrie e.V. (wdk)
Dr. Christoph Sokolowski
Press Officer, Head of Office for Governmental Affairs
Fon: +49 69 7936 137
c.sokolowski@wdk.de