The Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of 16 December 2020 (DWD) aims to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of contaminated drinking water and to improve access to drinking water. It came into force on 12 January 2021 following a review of the original Drinking Water Directive of 1998.
The directive introduces minimum requirements for materials that are in contact with water meant for human consumption throughout the EU. Harmonising these requirements ensures protection of people in the EU and improves the functioning of the internal market.
Article 11 sets out the framework for minimum hygiene requirements for materials in contact with drinking water. This framework was legally adopted by the European Commission as six legal acts, which were published on 23 April 2024.
This new regulatory framework, which has been established with ECHA’s involvement, includes:
From 5 January 2026 onwards, economic operators and national authorities can start notifying ECHA of their intentions to support the substance in the European positive lists. From 31 December 2026, they can start submitting to ECHA their applications to add new entries and to amend or maintain existing entries in the European positive lists.
Below a diagram that helps better understand the process according to the Water Framework Directive.
