Introduction
The products in the List of Approved Products have only been assessed for suitability for use in public water supplies; they have not been assessed for fitness for purpose, or for use in buildings.
Section 69 of the Water Industry Act 1991, as amended by the Water Act 2003, gave the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Welsh ministers powers to make regulations controlling substances, processes and/or products that are used in the treatment and provision of public water supplies. Section 76B of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980 gives Scottish ministers similar powers.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) carries out the approval process for the authorities for the whole of the United Kingdom, under the relevant regulations. DWI accepts applications for approval of products used from source, through treatment works, and in water distribution systems up to the point of delivery to premises.
The relevant regulations concern the introduction of substances and products (including construction products) and processes for use in the treatment and provision of drinking water supplies.
Under the relevant regulations drinking water suppliers shall not apply or introduce any substance or product into public drinking water supplies unless the requirements of the relevant regulations are met.
Further information on how applications for approval are dealt with by the DWI are given in Advice Sheet 1.
Basis of approval
When considering an application for approval, DWI considers only whether the use of a substance or product will adversely affect the quality of the water supplied or cause a risk to the health of consumers; assessment of fitness for purpose is not covered.
Applications are considered for all products used in contact with water in water treatment processes, water supply pipelines (including raw water pipelines) and drinking and water storage, and in water installations of raw water intended for human consumption. In addition, DWI considers water treatment chemicals and filtration media that are not covered by a published BS EN standard, see Annex 2 of the List of Approved Products for published standards. Products (individual chemicals or filter media) that conform to a BS EN standard may be used without the approval of the authorities in accordance with any appropriate additional national conditions of use. New approvals granted have a five year approval before review and reconsideration.
It is important to note that approval of products does not give any indication as to the effectiveness or merits of the products in relation to any use.
Review of Approved Products
Listed Products – Products listed within the current listing are subject to a review. This is currently covered through a five year approval period. A courtesy letter will be sent to the approval holder inviting them to apply for re-approval. If information is not received, then the product will expire and automatically be removed from the list. Full details on the current expectations for re-approval can be found in Advice Sheet 11, but are included in the invitation for re-approval.
Changes to approved products – If the approval holder makes any change to an approved product, this must be notified in advance to DWI as soon as possible so that an assessment of the implications of the change can be made. Major changes may mean that DWI will require further information and/or testing to determine whether the approval of the product can be maintained and change accepted. It is for DWI to assess the significance of the change; some minor changes may require no further action. Further details are given in Advice Sheet 4.
Breaches of any condition of approval would be grounds for revocation of that approval.
The List of Approved Products
The list is a live dashboard of Secretary of State approved products which is continuously updated in real time, including any conditions of approval, details of the IFU and expiry date. The dashboard allows users to search by product name, company or approval number, allowing access to up-to-date approval information.
The relevant regulations require that a list of all the substances and products approved or refused and all approvals revoked or modified, shall be published, at least once a year.
The list includes details of changes to approved products and non-metallic recognised grades.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Please see the DWI website (https://www.dwi.gov.uk/drinking-water-products/resources-for-water-companies/approved-considered-products/) for the most up-to-date list.