Navigating the New EU Regulations: Materials and Products in Contact with Drinking Water

The certification to the European minimum hygienic requirements for products in contact with drinking water involves stringent testing and evaluation to ensure safety and compliance of final materials as used in product that come in contact with drinking water as set in the Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/368 and in the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/370. The implementation timeline is set, with regulation (EU) 2024/370 applying from 31 December 2026, with a deferred application for products already compliant with national hygiene requirements until 31 December 2032. A transition period and an EU certification preparation strategy will provide support for the industry to prepare and be ready for certification as we move towards that deadline.

This paper discusses challenges and solutions related to the harmonization of materials testing and evaluation, particularly for plastic granulates and pipes. It also introduces a new developed protocol for pre-product certification, to streamline the certification process and reduce costs and time. In addition, a strategy for solving challenges brought forward by the industry.