Drinking Water Directive (DWD)
The European Union’s new Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184 introduces significant changes to ensuring the safety of drinking water. At the same time, its impacts extend much further than might initially be expected.
What is new in the EU Drinking Water Directive?
One of the most significant reforms is the introduction of a harmonised EU-wide approval system for materials that come into contact with drinking water (Article 11).
The directive aims to facilitate the functioning of the EU internal market, while at the same time requiring materials to meet stricter safety criteria than before. Approved materials will be included in an EU positive list, the first version of which will be based on existing national positive lists and regulations. Economic operators, including manufacturers of materials in contact with drinking water, can apply to have new starting substances, compositions or constituents added to the list.
Competent authorities in Member States may apply to ECHA to remove or modify existing materials. Changes to the positive list – additions, updates or removals – are processed through delegated or implementing acts of the European Commission in cooperation with ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC).
The EU positive list is published on ECHA’s website. Materials are divided into four categories: organic, metallic, cementitious, and enamel as well as ceramic and other inorganic materials.
Key steps and dates in the EU Drinking Water Directive
The Notice of Intention (NoI) is a mandatory step before submitting a full application. Its purpose is to ensure transparency and improve the efficiency of the approval process. It also seeks to promote joint applications and reduce the need for animal testing. Submission of Notices of Intention began on 31 December 2025.
The full application has significantly more extensive data requirements than the NoI. The application must include, for example, material identification data, chemical and physical properties, analytical data, migration levels of substances released into water, absorption and toxicological data, intended use and a risk assessment. Submission of applications will begin on 31 December 2026.
Both the Notice of Intention and the full application documentation must be prepared in ECHA’s IUCLID system.
Materials on the positive list have an expiry date. To remain on the list, an application must be submitted before the expiry date. ECHA recommends submitting the application at least 18 months before expiry. There are four different expiry timelines, with the first expiring at the end of 2028 (31 December 2028). This means that, according to regulatory guidance, the first applications should be submitted in summer 2027.
The expiry dates are based on risk assessment: the higher the hazard profile, the earlier the approval expires. Approval will expire at the end of 2028 for some constituents of organic and cementitious materials, such as cellulose and lignocellulose.
It is important to start preparing application documentation without delay, especially for materials with expiry dates at the end of 2028.
Sweco supports your company throughout the entire process – from assessing material compliance and preparing Notice of Intention and application documentation in IUCLID, to conducting drinking water risk assessments using the Water Safety Plan (WSP) approach.
Get in touch — we’re happy to guide you through the entire EU Drinking Water Directive process.
Saila Kivijärvi, Food Safety Specialist, saila.kivijarvi@sweco.fi
Frequently asked questions about Drinking Water Directive (DWD)
Many construction products, such as components of water systems, may fall within the scope of the Drinking Water Directive if they come into contact with household water. The Directive therefore applies to construction products that are used in water utilities, in the water supply network and in the water systems of properties. In this case, they must meet the hygiene and safety requirements set out in the Directive.
Positive Lists (EUPLs) are EU-level lists of substances, compositions and ingredients that may be used in the manufacture of materials that come into contact with drinking water. Only approved substances can be included in products that comply with the Drinking Water Directive.
The Directive applies to water intended for human consumption, such as water for drinking, cooking and other household uses. It also applies to products and materials that come into contact with drinking water and can affect the quality of the water.
Manufacturers must assess the conformity of their products and materials, monitor the harmonised requirements of the EU, and ensure that the materials and substances used are permitted. Compliance with the requirements may require testing, documentation and possible changes to the products or their raw materials.
Drinking water products include, for example, pipes, valves, taps, tanks, seals and other products that come into contact with drinking water. The products and the materials used in them must not impair water quality or pose a health risk. In the Directive, materials that come into contact with domestic water refer to all materials that come into contact with water between the water source and the tap. Materials that come into contact with heated domestic water must also meet the requirements.
The Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184 (DWD) is an EU regulation that aims to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water and to protect human health from water contaminants. The directive includes requirements for water quality, risk management and materials in contact with drinking water, among other things.
The Drinking Water Directive entered into force in 2021 and member states will transpose it into their national legislation by 2032. The application of the harmonised EU requirements for materials in contact with drinking water will proceed in stages through transition periods.
Compliance with the requirements of the Directive is supervised in Finland by the competent authorities in accordance with their own areas of responsibility. Supervision can focus on the quality of household water as well as products and materials in contact with drinking water.
The Directive sets requirements for products and materials that come into contact with drinking water. Manufacturers must ensure that products meet the EU’s common hygiene and safety requirements before they are placed on the market.