With the revision of the EU Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184 and the ECHA Positive List, the European Union is once again significantly tightening the requirements for drinking water quality – and the time to act is slowly running out. The focus is particularly on the upcoming ban on numerous lead-containing copper alloys in drinking water applications as well as the reduction of the permissible lead limit from 10 to 5 µg/l. Even the placing on the market of products made from such alloys for drinking water installations will no longer be permitted.

Germany is not making full use of the EU-wide transition period, but is implementing the requirements much earlier: the ban on the aforementioned alloys and the limit value of 5 µg/l will already apply from 12 January 2028. Other countries are also bringing forward implementation into national law. The aim of these regulations is to further improve health protection, particularly for vulnerable population groups, while at the same time harmonising the use of suitable materials in contact with drinking water across the EU.

Once the stricter requirements come into force, only components and products that comply with the applicable limit values and are approved for use in drinking water installations may be used.

This particularly affects previously used lead-containing brass alloys, which will no longer meet regulatory requirements in the future and will therefore be gradually phased out.

For users, this means in concrete terms:

• Planning and procurement processes must be switched at an early stage to compliant, lead-free or low-lead materials.
• For new installations, refurbishments and maintenance measures, only approved products may be used.
• A timely system change helps to avoid later retrofits, additional costs and potential operational interruptions.

According to the Drinking Water Ordinance, the limit value for lead in drinking water is 5 µg/l and must be complied with in Germany from 12 January 2028. From this point onwards, only products (such as PURAPRESS®) may be used that ensure compliance with this limit at the point of use.  

An early switch to compliant materials provides planning and investment security while reducing regulatory risks – also with regard to possible future tightening, for example in the context of European chemicals legislation.

On the safe side with SANHA®

For many years, SANHA® has ensured that the materials and products used comply with the applicable regulatory requirements.

In anticipation of the tightening of limit values, SANHA® began as early as 2009 to systematically convert its range for drinking water installations to the lead-free material silicon bronze (CW 724R).

Through continuous investment in material development, testing procedures and quality assurance, SANHA® ensures that installers, planners and operators can rely on products that meet current and future legal requirements at all times.

This provides customers with a high level of planning reliability – for both new construction projects and modernisation of existing buildings.

When will you choose the original?