Your product is already on the market.
The European Drinking Water Directive (DWD – EU 2020/2184) has redefined the rules for all products that come into contact with water intended for human consumption.
If your product is already on the market, the transition period directly affects you: There are deadlines to meet and documentation requirements to fulfill—and two practical ways to do so without market access barriers.
If your product complies with Ministerial Decree 174/2004 and has a declaration or certificate of conformity valid through December 31, 2026, you may continue to market it on the Italian market during the transition period. The rules, however, vary depending on the lead level in the tap water.
What can you do now, and until when?
Until
31.12 2026
You can begin the certification process with an accredited body such as ICIM and gather all the necessary documentation. Doing this now will allow you to get a head start and obtain the certificate as soon as the organization is officially notified.
Until
31.12 2030
Products that comply with Ministerial Decree 174/2004—with a declaration of conformity valid through December 31, 2026—may be placed on the market. If the product does not comply with the lead limit of 5 µg/l, its sale will be suspended as of that date.
Until
31.12 2032
Warning: Every product that comes into contact with drinking water must be accompanied by a self-declaration of compliance with Ministerial Decree 174. A general statement is not enough: it must be supported by documented objective data—in particular, test reports on migration tests—and must specifically identify materials and suppliers.
To be ready, without market access barriers.
Voluntary third-party certification
Accredited by Accredia – valid until December 31, 2032
HOW IT WORKS (3 steps):
1
Documentary analysis
2
Migration tests
3
On-site audit
BENEFITS
- Certificate with validity extended to December 31, 2032 (if issued by December 31, 2026)
- Recognized and verifiable proof of compliance that can be immediately leveraged in the Italian market
- Competitive positioning: Show your customers your genuine commitment to quality
- Preparing for the future: The framework is consistent with the mandatory European DWD pathway
- Annual monitoring, including audits and tests on representative samples, to ensure compliance
To ensure that the certificate of conformity is issued by December 31, 2026, the initial stages of the certification process—including the submission of samples to OMECO—must be completed by September 30, 2026.
Laboratory tests for self-declaration
WHAT YOU GET:
- Migration tests performed by OMECO, an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory by Accredia
- Independent test reports: the factual and documentary basis for your self-declaration
- Greater credibility with the market, the supply chain, and regulatory authorities
- Fast service tailored to the specific needs of your product
The DWD establishes a harmonized European framework, but each Member State has implemented the transitional provisions according to its own timeline and procedures. The result is a regulatory landscape that remains diverse: the deadlines for lead vary, the conditions for maintaining national certifications differ, and the documentation requirements are not uniform.
If you manufacture or distribute products in multiple countries, understanding these differences isn’t just a minor detail—it’s a priority.
FRANCE
Decree 2026-80 of February 11, 2026, stipulates that products with an ACS certification valid as of December 31, 2026, may obtain an extension of the certificate’s validity through December 31, 2032 — provided that the product has not undergone any changes in its composition or hygienic properties.
Lead limit 5 µg/l: Probably starting January 12, 2028 (regulatory process still being finalized)
GERMANY
Certificates of conformity issued based on the criteria of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) may be extended or remain valid for the entire duration of the transition period, through December 31, 2032—provided that the composition of the products’ materials remains unchanged.
Lead limit 5 µg/l: Effective January 12, 2028
AUSTRIA, FINLAND, THE NETHERLANDS, POLAND, SWEDEN
PORTUGAL AND LIECHTENSTEIN
OTHER COUNTRIES
The European regulatory framework is constantly evolving, and national transpositions vary significantly from one country to another.
If you operate in a market not listed here, our team is available to provide you with an up-to-date and detailed analysis of the regulatory landscape in the country you are interested in—including deadlines, documentation requirements, and conditions for maintaining existing certifications.
BENEFITS
1
2
3