ECHA to compile and manage positive list for materials in contact with drinking water

On 18 December 2019, the EU Council and EU Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the legal text for the revision of the Drinking Water Directive. 

This agreement also includes minimum hygienic requirements for materials that come into contact with drinking water. The aim is to improve consumer protection and ensure equal safety standards for industry.

For example, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will in future be responsible for compiling positive lists valid throughout the EU, which will only contain substances that may be used safely for products in contact with drinking water.

Although both the EU Parliament and the EU Council have yet to formally approve the text, ECHA has already published yesterday in a press release that it will start work to make drinking water even safer.  

Bjorn Hansen, ECHA’s Executive Director is quoted as follows: 

“We will assess substances used in materials to produce, for example, water pipes and taps, and look forward to working to help improving the quality of drinking water throughout Europe. Hereby, we can rely on our expertise in risk assessment, achieve efficiencies and ensure consistency across different pieces of chemicals legislation. Harmonising the assessment also ensures a level playing field for companies providing these materials across different European countries.”

The complete press release can be downloaded here. 

echa.europa.eu/-/echa-starts-work-on-making-drinking-water-safer