ECHA starts list safe substances that come into contact with drinking water • Water News Europe

The list will contain all substances that can be safely used in contact with drinking water. 

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) starts with a list of substances that can be safely used in materials that come into contact with drinking water. ‘The aim is to improve consumer protection and ensure equal safety standards for industry’,  announced ECHA the 14th of January on their website. In the future only substances on this list are allowed to be used.

The new Drinking Water Directive includes detailed hygienic requirements for materials in contact with drinking water. It gives ECHA a key role to ensure that only safe substances can be used in pipes and taps in contact with water. This harmonisation will facilitate the smooth functioning of the internal market for products in contact with drinking water while improving public health. The first positive list is expected to cover around 1 500 chemicals and will be adopted by the European Commission by 2024.

First European list based on national lists

According to ECHA the first EU positive list will be based on the existing lists in the Member States. ‘A review programme will be introduced through which the agency will reassess all substances on the list within 15 years from its publication. Each approved substance will be authorised for use for a limited period of time. The timing of the reviews will be based on the hazardous properties of the substances as well as the quality of and how up to date underlying risk assessments are’, declares ECHA.

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