European Union New Regulations for Materials in Contact with Water

In order to increase the safety and compatibility of materials in contact with water and protect human health, the European Union announced comprehensive new regulations for materials and products in contact with water. Directive (EU) 2020/2184 foresees the establishment of European lists of positive substances, compositions and ingredients in regulations covering organic, cementitious, metallic, enamel, ceramic or other inorganic materials.

The new regulations cover plastics, metallic components, ceramics and other inorganic materials that come into contact with water, primarily intended for human consumption. The aim of the regulations to be made is to determine the conditions of use and migration limits. Substances included in the list established in Annex I of Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (3) have been evaluated for their use in plastic food contact materials in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, subject only to certain conditions of use.</span >

At the same time, since no specific migration limit has been determined for plastic materials that come into contact with food and are allowed to be used, priority should be given to the re-evaluation of a significant part of the materials. Stated by the Food Safety Authority.

Test and Acceptance Methodologies
Part of the regulations to be made by the European Union is the establishment of test and acceptance methodologies. The aim is to evaluate the safe use of starting materials, compositions and ingredients. In this context, physical and chemical tests such as migration tests, tests related to toxicological properties are the analyzes to be used in determining the relevant chemical species and risk assessment. It is also underlined that the tests and analyzes to be carried out should be carried out in laboratories where good laboratory practices (GLP) are applied.

For the regulations made, Member States must positive lists have been reported to the European Union Chemicals Agency (ECHA). It is stated that the national systems will be valid until December 31, 2026. Transitional measures will be provided for substances approved in the period from 13 July 2021 to 31 December 2026. The main aim is to increase the safety and compatibility of materials in contact with water in order to protect humanity with stronger and more comprehensive regulations in the field of materials in contact with water.

Hygiene Requirements
Within the scope of the regulations, hygiene requirements will be determined for the final materials to be used in products that come into contact with water, based on Annex V of Directive (EU) 2020/2184 and taking into account the conformity assessment procedures of the products.

Test Procedures and Requirements
In transition water Testing and analysis procedures, including the relevant substances and parameters that need to be analyzed, in order to ensure the safety of the final materials; It will be determined proportionately according to human health risks and with a risk-based approach according to the category of the final material.

It will be carried out on Materials in Contact with Water. tests and analyses;
- Migration Tests
- Sensory Tests (Smell – Taste Test, Color – Turbidity Test)
- EMG Tests (Test for Increasing Microbial Growth)
- Residue Content Test
- NIAS Test
- Total Organic Carbon Test

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