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WE TAKE WATER A STEP FURTHER.
New European requirements. Greater clarity for every decision.
Drinking water quality does not depend solely on the water source. As it passes through a vehicle, the water comes into contact with numerous materials and products. Pumps, pipes and fittings together form the water system. The materials used should neither affect the smell or taste, nor release any undesirable substances, nor promote microbial growth. That is why the suitability of each individual component is so important.
EUROPE SETS A COMMON STANDARD
Under the EU Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184, uniform Europe-wide requirements for materials and products in contact with drinking water will apply from 31 December 2026. This ensures greater transparency wherever water-carrying components are developed, selected, recommended or purchased.
ONE SYMBOL. MORE GUIDANCE.
The new EU-mark identifies products whose compliance with European requirements has been confirmed through the prescribed procedure.
On packaging and accompanying documents, the symbol appears alongside the mandatory statement:
„SUITABLE FOR DRINKING WATER“
An overview of guidelines and procedures
- Materials: Europe-wide harmonised standards set out the requirements for materials that come into contact with drinking water.
- Testing: Materials and products are tested and assessed in accordance with standardised procedures.
- Proof: Following a successful assessment, the conformity of the relevant product is documented by means of a certificate and a declaration of conformity.
- Marking: The official EU-mark indicates that conformity has been confirmed.
Reliable decisions, outstanding quality and a good feeling on the road – forward-thinking water technology delivers added value from every perspective.
GREATER CONFIDENCE IN YOUR ON-BOARD TECHNOLOGY.
Fresh water is key to feeling good whilst on the move. As it travels through your vehicle, it comes into contact with many components – such as pumps, pipes and fttings. This makes it all the more important that suitable, high-quality materials are used.
In future, the new EU-mark will help you to more easily identify water components that meet European requirements for contact with drinking water – thereby helping to maintain drinking water quality and protect your health.
Your advantage
- You can identify products that have been tested accordingly more easily.
- You can consciously take material suitability into account when making a purchase decistion.
- You’ll have clearer guidance when replacing, retrofitting or buying new products.
- You know that the conformity of the labelled product has been confirmed in accordance with the European procedure.
Good to know
The EU-mark refers to the product in question. To ensure you can feel confident about the water on board, the source of the water, regular cleaning of the system and correct use are also important.
We adapted our relevant water-related components to the forthcoming European requirements at an early stage. So you can continue to rely on tried-and-tested REICH quality it the future.
DISCOVER REICH WATER SOLUTIONSINSTALL TODAY WHAT MAKES VEHICLES FUTURE-PROOF.
Decisions regarding development, procurement and equipment have an impact throughout entire model cycles. Components selected today must therefore also meet the requirements oft he coming years.
Under the new European system, the product-specific conformity status will become a key basis for market access and integration: products with a valid national certificate of conformity may, subject to certain conditions, continue to be used and marketed until the end of 2032. The transition period does not apply to products newly introduced from 2027 onwards that do not hold such a certificate. These products will, in principle, require the new EU certification immediately. Clarifying the conformity status at an early stage provides long-term planning certainty for future generations of vehicles.
YOUR BENEFITS FOR DEVELOPMENT, PROCUREMENT AND INTEGRATION
Greater planning certainty
A future-proof product status provides a solid basis for decisions on development and specifications.
Fewer transition risks
Carefully selected components minimise the risk of subsequent re-approvals, product changes or modifications with a model cycle.
Reliable procurement
Product-related information and evidence support supplier assessment, approval and long-term sourcing decisions.
Greater reliability during integration
A transparent compliance status facilitates coordination between development, procurement, quality management and production.
A uniform approach for Europe
The new system is gradually replacing differing national procedures and facilitates the use of compliant products across Europe.
More successful together
We help you select the right water components right from the start, taking future requirements into account. To this end, we incorporated the new European guidelines into our material selection and product development at an early stage. Product status, existing certification and the path towards European certification are documented transparently and on a product-by-product basis for you.
Through direct dialogue, we work together to identify which solutions and validation methods are best suited to your application. This provides a reliable basis for decision-making – from development through to integration and into the ongoing modelling cycle.
REQUEST PRODUCT STATUS AND CERTIFICATESKNOWING TODAY WHAT WILL BE IN DEMAND TOMORROW.
Until now, the quality of materials has often been difficult to assess at the point of sales and has required further explanation. The new EU-mark turns this into a clear selling point and a useful tool for advising customers.
This represents retailers with the opportunity to guide customers at an early stage, to tailor their product ranges with foresight, and to communicate verifiable product characteristics in a compelling manner.
YOUR BENEFITS IN TERMS OF PRODUCT RANGE, ADVICE AND SALES
Greater certainty in the product range
Transparent product status makes it easier to select items that will remain relevant even under the forthcoming European requirements.
A clear selling point
The EU-mark translates complex requirements into clear guidance for customers.
Greater confidence in the recommendation
Transparent product information supports reliable and credible advice.
Visible differentation
Material suitability is transformed from a technical detail into a recognisable added value for the product.
Additional sales potential
By drawing customers‘ attention to the topic at an early stage, you can convey quality more effectively and encourage them to make higher-value purchasing decisions.
Working together to make quality a selling point
You know your customers and understand what makes for a convincing sales pitch. We support you with clear benefits-based arguments relating to the new EU-mark. This enables you to communicate the message directly on the product and at the point of sale – without overwhelming your customers with regulatory details. Together, we highlight the quality of the material, reinforce your recommendation and tap into additional sales potential.
REQUEST PRODUCT OVERVIEW AND SALES MATERIALSEXPERTISE IN WATER WITH A VISION FOR THE FUTURE.
For us at REICH, our long-standing expertise in the field of water means identifying developments at an early stage and consistently applying this knowledge to our choice of materials and product development.
The REICH components intended for contact with drinking water comply with the applicable national guidelines for the assessment of plastics in drinking water (KTW-BWGL). At the same time, their materials have already been selected with a view to the forthcoming European standard.
We are managing the transition to the new European system in a product-specific and transparent manner. Each relevant product is assessed in accordance with the prescribed procedure, and its conformity status is documented in a way that allows for fully traceability.
As quality is demonstrated at every stage of the manufacturing process, we provide our customers with additional assurance through our System 1+ certification: an independent testing body regularly monitors the relevant manufacturing processes at our Eschenburg site. After all, if something is to be reliable tomorrow, it needs a solid foundation today.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the EU Drinking Water Directive and EU marking
The EU Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184 has been in forced since 12 January 2021. The harmonised European hygiene requirements for materials and products in contact with drinking water will apply from 31 December 2026.
If a product used in a vehicle lacks the necessary proof of conformity, its marketability in the relevant market may be restricted. Depending on national implementation and the specific circumstances, this can lead to sales restrictions, the need to replace products, corrective measures, or even recalls, as well as liability and reputational risks. Clarifying a product’s status at an early stage reduces the risk of subsequent re-approvals and adjustments.
The KTW-BWGL is a German assessment framework for plastics and other organic materials in contact with drinking water. The new EU-conformity system, on the other hand, assesses the specific product against uniform requirements applicable across Europe. These include a standardised conformity assessment procedure, an EU-certificate, an EU-declaration of conformity and a uniform EU-marking.
National certificates of conformity may remain valid until 31 December 2032 at the latest, subject to certain conditions. One of the conditions is that the certificate must be valid on 31 December 2026 and must comply with the national transitional provisions. The continued validity must therefore be assessed on a case-by-case basis for each product and each target market.
The EU-marking indicates that the specific product has been assessed in accordance with the prescribed European procedure and meets the applicable hygienic requirements for contact with drinking water. This is based on a EU-certificate and the manufacturer’s EU-declaration of conformity.
REICH verwendet die EU-Kennzeichnung für Produkte, die in den Anwendungsbereich der europäischen Trinkwasserregelungen fallen und für die eine gültige EU-Konformitätserklärung vorliegt.
The EU-mark confirms the conformity of the labelled product, not the quality of the entire water system. The quality of drinking water on board also depends on the water source, all the components installed, as well as regular cleaning, maintenance and proper use.