CSTB obtains Cofrac accreditation to certify products in contact with drinking water

The Scientific and Technical Centre for Building (CSTB) has obtained an extension of its Cofrac accreditation to assess and certify the sanitary conformity of products and materials in contact with water intended for human consumption.

Accreditation No. 5-0010, issued according to the standard NF EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012, covers the procedures provided for by European Directive 2020/2184 and Delegated Regulation 2024/370. Its revision 40 took effect on 20 August 2026, with a validity announced until 28 February 2030, subject to the maintenance of the accreditation.

This development allows the CSTB to offer manufacturers a process combining document analysis, product classification, testing, audits and certification according to the new European requirements.

Harmonised rules applicable from 2027

Contrary to what the initial presentation indicated, the European directive 2020/2184, known as the Drinking Water Directive (DWD), will not itself enter into force in 2027. Adopted in December 2020, it entered into force in January 2021 and was to be transposed by the Member States by 12 January 2023 at the latest.

These are the new harmonized minimum requirements applicable to materials and products in contact with drinking water which will take effect on 31 December 2026. They will therefore concern new products placed on the market from 1 January 2027 as well as materials used in new, renovated or repaired installations.

This framework is intended to gradually replace national systems and facilitate the marketing of compliant products in the various Member States. Products meeting the requirements may be accompanied by a European Declaration of Conformity and a specific EU marking.

Pipes, taps and water heaters concerned

The requirements relate to products and materials that could influence water quality during its collection, treatment, storage, or distribution. The scope includes, in particular:

• pipes, fittings and flexible hoses;
• pipe and tank coatings;
• seals, glues, greases and lubricants;
• valves, pumps, flow meters and counters;
• sanitary fittings;
• safety and pollution protection devices;
• hot water production devices;
• tanks and storage equipment.

The products may be made of organic, metallic, cementitious, ceramic, glazed, or other inorganic materials. The assessment must focus on the finished product and not solely on its constituent substances.

Common requirements on substances and migration

The European system establishes common lists of authorized substances and materials. It also provides for test methods and assessment procedures designed to verify their influence on the sanitary quality of water.

The analysis may focus on the migration of substances in water, the product's composition, or its potential to promote microbial growth. Procedures vary depending on the nature of the material, the product's function, and its risk group.

For products or components classified in risk groups 1 and 2, as well as for certain categories of metallic materials, the assessment involves a European type examination supplemented by a quality assurance-based control of the manufacturing process. For other categories, a European type examination may suffice.

An evaluation process offered to manufacturers

The CSTB offers several services to prepare certification files under the minimum hygiene requirements, designated by the acronym MHR for "Minimum Hygiene Requirements":

• the documentary review of assembled products;
• the classification of products into risk groups;
• the examination of formulations and compositions;
• the organization of migration tests and analyses with partner laboratories;
• audits of production sites in France, Europe or other countries;
• the samples necessary for the assessments, when required;
• the issuance of the certificate following a favorable evaluation.

The number of steps and the monitoring of the manufacturing process depend on the product's classification. Manufacturers must therefore identify the applicable risk group, the necessary documentation, the tests to be scheduled, and any potential audits of their sites well in advance.

A transition period with the French ACS

In France, the Sanitary Conformity Certificate (ACS) remains the national standard for many materials and equipment in contact with drinking water. It will be gradually replaced by the European system.

According to the schedule presented by the CSTB, new products placed on the market will be subject to European certification from January 1, 2027. Products already benefiting from an ACS or a certificate of conformity to the positive lists on December 31, 2026 will be able to continue to fall under the transitional scheme until December 31, 2032, subject to the validity of their attestation.

From January 1, 2033, the products concerned will have to comply with the new European framework. Manufacturers should therefore examine now the status of their product ranges, the remaining validity of their national certifications, and the timeline required to carry out the necessary tests.

The same path to access European markets

Harmonisation aims to limit the proliferation of national procedures that manufacturers previously had to comply with in order to market the same product in several countries.

However, certification does not exempt manufacturers from verifying other obligations applicable to their products, including technical requirements, implementation rules or provisions that do not directly relate to water safety.