EU · Directive (EU) 2020/2184 Article 11; 2024/367, 2024/368, 2024/370
Materials and products in contact with drinking water
Identify the market and product category first. Each dossier separates legal duties, referenced standards, evidence and the comparison needed for an award.
Product Scope
Products and final materials contacting water intended for human consumption, including relevant pipes, fittings, storage and treatment components. Distinguish drinking-water hygiene from structural, hydraulic, electrical and food-contact rules.
Requirements
Materials must not compromise health, adversely affect colour, odour or taste, promote microbial growth or release contaminants beyond what the Directive permits. The new EU system links positive lists, final-material testing, product risk groups and designated conformity-assessment procedures. In October 2026, actual destination-country hygiene acceptance remains essential; there is no unrestricted, already-complete single EU tap certificate.
Required Evidence
Provide all wetted materials, surface/volume/contact conditions, complete migration and microbiological/organoleptic testing as applicable, composition permissions, the destination-country acceptance and its conditions. For the future harmonised path verify the designated body, product risk group and required conformity module.
Comparison for the Awards
Only compare a regulated migration or relevant performance parameter within the actual accepted route and test conditions. Flow rate, water savings and contaminant removal cannot be advertised as above drinking-water hygiene requirements unless a corresponding legal comparator exists.
Version & Transition
The harmonised material and conformity rules apply from 31 December 2026. Regulation 2024/370 contains a transition to 31 December 2032 for products with qualifying national certificates still valid on 31 December 2026; confirm all conditions, not the date alone.
Official Sources
Applicability depends on the product classification, intended use, configuration and actual sales territory. Manufacturing, placing-on-the-market and testing dates, together with transition provisions, are checked as required by each applicable rule. The directory identifies sources; it does not replace assessment of the specific model. Standards are identified by reference, and their authoritative texts remain with the issuing bodies. Official source documents retain their original language.