Certification for the EU Drinking Water Directive (DWD)

Gain access to the European market with Dancert as your certification partner

Are your products intended to be marketed and used in contact with drinking water in the EU? With the implementation of the EU Drinking Water Directive (Directive (EU) 2020/2184) and its accompanying delegated acts, strict, harmonised hygiene requirements are being introduced across Europe.

At Dancert, we guide you safely through the entire conformity assessment and certification process, ensuring your products comply with the new European regulations and can display the mandatory EU drinking water mark.

The certification scheme is offered in collaboration with DHI (Danish Hydraulic Institute) and the Danish Technological Institute. Partnering with us gives you access to leading expertise in drinking water installations.

What do the new EU drinking water regulations require?

From 31 December 2026 until January 2032, national approval schemes (such as GDV in Denmark, WRAS in the UK, ACS in France, DVGW in Germany, etc.) will be phased out and replaced by a unified European regulatory framework. All materials and products in contact with drinking water – from source to tap – must comply with strict EU requirements:

  1.     European positive lists: Materials may only be manufactured from starting substances and raw                    materials included in the European positive lists.
  2.     Migration limits: Substances must not migrate into drinking water at levels that pose a risk to human            health or adversely affect the taste, odour, colour, or microbiological quality of the water.
  3.     Risk-based conformity assessment modules: Products are classified into four risk groups                          (RG 1 to RG 4) depending on the surface area in contact with water.
  4.     Mandatory EU marking: Compliant end-products must be marked with the new harmonised EU drinking      water pictogram, enabling developers, installers, and authorities throughout the EU to easily identify              approved products.

What does Dancert certification cover?

Dancert is in the process of being designated as a notified Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) under the Drinking Water Directive. We will offer certification for end-products, assembled components, and raw materials:

1. End-products and assembled components

We certify finished products made of organic materials (e.g. plastic pipes, fittings, membranes, rubber gaskets, and coatings) as well as metallic materials (e.g. valves, taps/fixtures, pumps, and metal pipes):

  •       Module B (EU-type examination): Comprehensive evaluation of product formulation, risk assessment,          determination of testing programme, and witnessing/auditing of test results from accredited testing                  laboratories.
  •       Module D (Conformity to type based on quality assurance of the production process): Certification        and ongoing surveillance of the manufacturer's quality management system, ensuring manufactured units        consistently conform to the approved type.

2. Voluntary pre-assessments in the supply chain

For suppliers of raw materials and semi-finished products, Dancert offers voluntary certificates that significantly streamline and accelerate certification for downstream customers (end-product manufacturers):

  •       Pre-product certificates: For materials such as plastic pellets and polymer compounds. Covers the                formulation review and reduces or eliminates testing requirements for downstream components.
  •       Intermediate product certificates: For materials undergoing chemical reaction or curing during final              processing (e.g. coating systems, adhesives, and uncured elastomer compounds).
  •       Formulation certificates: Verification of raw materials, chemical blends and additive packages against          the European positive list.

How to obtain a certificate – Step by step

Our certification process is structured, transparent, and efficient:

Step

Description of the certification process

Step 1: Application & scoping

Submit an application including technical specifications of the product, intended use, operating temperature (23 °C cold water, 60 °C warm water, or 85 °C hot water), and surface-to-volume ratio (S/V). Dancert assists in determining the product group and risk group (RG 1–4).

Step 2: Formulation review

Under strict confidentiality (NDA), Dancert examines the full chemical recipe of the product to verify compliance with the European positive lists. We specify precisely which relevant substances must be analysed during migration testing.

Step 3: Type testing (Module B)

Dancert witnesses/audits the preparation of test specimens and conducts official identification and sealing. Testing is carried out by an accredited testing laboratory. Upon successful testing, an EU-type examination certificate is issued.

Step 4: Factory audit (Module D)

For products in risk groups RG 1 and RG 2, Dancert audits the manufacturer's factory production control and quality assurance system to verify full traceability of raw materials, process parameters, and final inspections.

Step 5: Certificate & Marking

Once Module B and (where applicable) Module D are successfully completed, Dancert issues the certificate. You draw up the EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), affix the official EU drinking water mark along with Dancert's identification number, and can market your product freely across the entire EU.

 

Why choose Dancert?

  •       Leading expertise: Dancert specialises in construction and installation products, backed by deep                    technical roots in testing and certification environments.
  •       Efficient process and confidentiality: We ensure smooth, confidential handling of sensitive formulation        data in direct communication with your raw material suppliers.
  •       A smooth transition towards 2032 for existing products: We guide you safely through the process              well in advance, ensuring your products are fully certified and market-ready before transitional                          arrangements expire.