Drinking Water Ordinance 2028
New lead limits pose challenges for manufacturers
The new Drinking Water Ordinance, which transposes the European Drinking Water Directive into German law, poses considerable challenges for distributors of products that come into contact with drinking water. With the reduction of the lead limit from 10 to 5 micrograms per litre, which must be complied with by 12 January 2028 at the latest, the pressure on manufacturers and suppliers of these products will increase considerably.
From this date, products that exceed this new, stricter lead limit may no longer be used. For many companies, this means a fundamental revision of their product range and production processes. Switching to lead-free materials will not only be necessary to comply with current regulations, but will also future-proof distributors, particularly with regard to possible future regulations such as the REACH regulation, which could provide for a complete ban on lead.
Countdowns to important deadlines
Important deadlines for handling lead in drinking water products
The new limit value for lead in drinking water is 0.005 mg/l and will apply in Germany from January 12, 2028. As a result, products made from certain lead-containing alloys that are currently still included in the positive list of the UBA assessment basis for metallic materials can no longer be used for the construction or maintenance of water supply systems in Germany from this date.
31.12.2026 | Placing on the market of only compliant materials according to the ECHA list (recommendation)
01.01.2028 | Installation of only compliant material in the installation
01.01.2028 | Distribution of non-compliant products prohibited
Does the Drinking Water Ordinance affect my company?
Here you will find a quick answer as to whether your company is affected.
What does the new Drinking Water Ordinance oblige me to do?
BEULCO recommends that affected companies adjust their product portfolio of corresponding products by the end of 2026. This enables a timely conversion to compliant materials and provides sufficient leeway to offer compliant products for installation by 2028.
From 12.01.2028, only products that fulfil the requirements of the TWVO (5μg/L at the tap) may be installed in German drinking water installations.
As a member of the copper association, BEULCO keeps an eye on all regulations and schedules. Our own material tests and inspections ensure that we use the right material both in our own range and for your application. We support you with approvals and legal requirements.
Into the future with BEULCO lead-free - sustainable & efficient
Fulfil the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance with BEULCO - your partner for the development and production of lead-free components and assemblies.
Project process - Just in time for compliance!
Would you like to switch to lead-free material? BEULCO can help you do this quickly and efficiently! Benefit from our in-depth advice when selecting materials for your components and our extensive expertise from numerous projects to convert to lead-free material. Our experienced project management also takes time pressure into account and ensures that your customised component complies with the Drinking Water Ordinance. We are at your side as a development and production partner.
Experience report
Conversion of the product range to lead-free material
BEULCO has already converted its own product range to lead-free material. This report is intended to give you an idea of how a changeover can succeed in practice.
- The challenges
- Material selection factors
- Implementation & milestones
- Difference between theory & practice
- Results & recommendations
Our product portfolio - Ecobrass for sure
We switched our range to lead-free material back in 2013. In doing so, we are focussing on Cuphin as a premium material. By using Cuphin as a brass material, we are not only already complying with future legal requirements, but also with safety, hygiene and health aspects. The very high copper content of 75% makes a significant contribution to the hygiene of drinking water installations. Cuphin is listed both on the Federal Environment Agency's positive list and on the GMS list of the German Brass Plumbing Association and is therefore demonstrably hygienically and technically suitable.
FAQ on the new Drinking Water Ordinance
Do you have any questions? We have the answers.
The most important changes to the new Drinking Water Ordinance in Germany, which came into force on 24 June 2023, include the following points:
Introduction of mandatory risk assessment and risk management:
This affects the entire supply chain, from the catchment area to the consumer. The health authorities check whether the risk management and the resulting investigation plan meet the requirements.
New requirements for inspection obligations and the inspection plan:
There are new quality parameters such as somatic coliphages, microcystin-LR, PFAS and bisphenol A.
Stricter requirements
For parameters such as lead, chromium and arsenic: The limit values for these pollutants have been lowered.
Mandatory replacement or decommissioning of lead pipework:
This must be done by 12 January 2026 in all water supply systems, including drinking water installations.
New information obligations for operators:
Water supply companies must inform consumers about the quality, pricing and individual consumption of their local drinking water.
The European Drinking Water Directive and the German Drinking Water Ordinance are clearly linked in terms of hierarchy and content. The European Drinking Water Directive sets out the framework and minimum requirements that all member states of the European Union (EU) must comply with in order to ensure the quality of drinking water. The German Drinking Water Ordinance transposes these requirements into national law and may also contain stricter regulations.
European Drinking Water Directive (Directive 98/83/EC and 2020/2184)
The European Drinking Water Directive, first adopted in 1998 and comprehensively revised in 2020, sets Europe-wide standards for drinking water quality. It aims to protect the health of consumers from the adverse effects of contaminated drinking water by ensuring that the water is clean and healthy.
Key content:
- Definition of limit values for microorganisms, chemical substances and indicator parameters.
- Regulations for monitoring and reporting drinking water quality.
- Requirements for the treatment and distribution of drinking water.
- Protection of drinking water resources.
German Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV)
The German Drinking Water Ordinance is based on the European Drinking Water Directive and transposes its requirements into national law. The ordinance comprehensively regulates the quality of drinking water and the obligations of water suppliers.
Key contents:
- Specification of limit values for substances and microorganisms that may be contained in drinking water, in accordance with or stricter than the directive.
- Regulations for regular monitoring and control of water quality by the competent authorities.
- Measures to be taken if limit values are exceeded and procedures for informing the public.
- Requirements for materials and products that come into contact with drinking water in order to avoid contamination.
Connection and implementation
1. transposition of the directive into national law: The German Drinking Water Ordinance transposes the requirements of the European Drinking Water Directive into German law in a binding manner. This means that all EU legal requirements, such as the specified limit values and monitoring obligations, are concretised in the German ordinance.
2. adaptation and tightening: Member states can introduce stricter requirements than the minimum standards laid down in the EU directive. Germany utilises this option and frequently sets stricter limit values and more extensive monitoring measures in its Drinking Water Ordinance.
3. monitoring mechanisms and reporting: The German Drinking Water Ordinance sets out detailed requirements for monitoring drinking water quality. This monitoring data must be regularly forwarded to the competent authorities and, as part of the European reporting obligations, to the EU.
BEULCO recommends that affected companies adjust their product portfolio of corresponding products by the end of 2026. This enables a timely conversion to compliant materials and provides sufficient leeway to offer compliant products for installation by 2028.
From 12 January 2028:
From this date, only products that fulfil the requirements of the German Drinking Water Ordinance (TWVO) may be installed in German drinking water installations. In particular, these products must ensure that the lead content in the drinking water at the tap does not exceed 5 µg/L.