Testing for drinking water contact
The quality of water for human consumption is regulated in Europe by Directive EU 2020/2184, and at national level in Germany by the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV). This sets requirements not only for the drinking water itself, but also for the materials and substances that come into contact with drinking water during production, transmission and storage.
§ Section 14 TrinkwV regulates this specifically and requires that the materials and products used:
- do not impair human health
- do not adversely affect the odor/taste of drinking water
- do not promote the multiplication of microorganisms
- do not release any substances into the drinking water, if possible.
The verification that a product meets these requirements is carried out according to the specifications of the evaluation bases and guidelines of the Federal Environment Agency as well as corresponding DVGW worksheets. This involves both
- testing with regard to the promotion of microbial growth on the materials and products in accordance with DVGW Worksheet W 270 or DIN EN 16421 as well as
- migration tests with a subsequent examination of the specified parameters in the generated contact waters.
For more information on migration tests click
here.
Testing laboratory for certification bodies
The Ruhr Area Hygiene Institute is a recognized laboratory accredited according to DIN EN ISO 17025:2018 for the required drinking water hygiene tests. This confirms our competence in testing water supply materials and products with regard to their hygienic suitability. The test reports and test certificates prepared on the basis of the assessment principles, guidelines, and DVGW worksheets are recognized by certification bodies such as HyCert and DVGW CERT GmbH.
Here you will find further information on the cross-sectional topic of certification and our
certification body HyCert.
Our range of services
We competently perform drinking water hygiene suitability tests on non-metallic materials for you. Our range of services includes the testing of organic materials or materials with organic components. This includes plastics of all kinds, elastomers, silicones, coatings, and cement-bound materials.
In addition, our department also offers further microbiological material testing and hygiene testing as well as a consulting and training service. The standards and technical regulations listed below form our testing basis.
Microbiological material testing
Use in the drinking water sector
- Testing according to DIN EN 16421 (KTW-BWGL)
- Testing according to DVGW worksheet W 270
Antimicrobial equipment / metabolizability
- Test according to ISO 22196 / JIS 2801 / ASTM 2180
- Testing according to DIN EN ISO 846
Testing of chemical disinfection processes
- Testing according to DIN EN
- Testing according to VAH
Microbiological testing of raw materials, intermediate and end products
- Testing for microbiological quality (Ph.Eur. / USP)
- Testing for sufficient preservation
Further microbiological testing
- Testing of cleaning and disinfection measures
- Testing of containers made of moulded glass
- Testing according to DVGW worksheet W 319
- Testing of domestic water filter systems (DIN EN 17093, DVGW Worksheet W 516)
- Testing of environmental samples (e.g. sewage sludge, compost, play sand)
- Construction of product-specific testing facilities (e.g. for terminal water filters)
Hygiene testing
Consulting and training service
Since hygiene problems can only be solved on-site, plant inspections are often necessary. We are also happy to support you in the forward planning of hygiene inspections and the training of employees.
Our offer to all companies that require appropriate services due to legal requirements or on a voluntary basis:
- Factory inspections
- Hygiene training
- Hygiene planning
You have specific questions? Contact us!
