All plastics and non-plastics material used as components of Polybutene-1 piping systems when in permanent or temporary contact with water which is intended for human consumption must not adversely affect the quality of the drinking water in accordance with the applicable EC Directives and EFTA Regulations on the quality of drinking water. Currently, however, unilateral European standards are unavailable for the accreditation of potable water piping systems. Consequently in June 2000, in an attempt to address this situation, the European Commission initiated a European Acceptance Scheme (EAS) with the objective of harmonising the existing national certification procedures for testing construction products in contact with water intended for human consumption, under the umbrella of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.

The accreditation bodies responsible for drinking water quality in each of the member states are contracted to undertake the necessary development work in four co-operative working groups. Until the scheme comes into force, national accreditation procedures for potable water systems will still apply. Polybutene-1 grades marketed for pipe production in Europe conform to all existing national standards. Manufacturers of polybutene-1 piping systems however are responsible for obtaining national accreditations for their own specific products in the countries where they are marketed. Questions on product accreditations should therefore be addressed to the specific manufacturer.

The responsibility of obtaining approvals for manufactured products and assembled systems from national/international hygiene and water quality authorities lies with the manufacturer of such products.

Existing ISO/EN water quality standards

ISO CD 7686(EN)

Plastics pipes and fittings - Opacity - Test method Of importance when algae growth must be considered; at present being revised
 

ISO 8795 (EN)

Plastic piping systems for the transport of water intended for human consumption - Migration assessment - Determination of migration values of plastics pipes and fittings and their joints Evaluation of the data is described in ENV 852
 

EN 578

Plastics piping systems - Plastics pipes and fittings - Determination of the opacity
Of importance when algae growth must be considered
 

EN806

Specification for installations inside buildings conveying water for human consumption Contains details on planning and designing, including the use of symbols
 

ENV 852

Plastic piping systems for the transport of water intended for human consumption - Migration assessment - Guidance on the interpretation of laboratory derived migration values Deals with data obtained according to EN ISO 8795; (see above at ISO 8795); ENV is a non-mandatory guidance
 

EN 1420

Influence of organic materials on water intended for human consumption - Determination of odour and flavour of water in piping systems Testing water in pipes and evaluating the results
 

Until requirements and methods are set up on an international level for all piping systems and associated components in contact with potable water, the applicable regulations on water quality and health relating to each country must be observed.

The European national water authorities/accreditation bodies are as follows:
   

Niederlande:

KIWA N.V.

Frankreich:

Centre de Recherche et de Controle des Eaux de Paris

Frankreich:

Laboratoire d'Hygiène et de Recherche en Santé Publique

Großbritannien:

WRcplc

Österreich:

Österreichisches Forschungsinstitut für Chemie und Technik

Deutschland:

DVGW - TZW Deutsche Vereinigung des Gas- und Wasserfaches - Technologiezentrum Wasser

Dänemark:

Dansk Toksikologi Center

Spanien:

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Italien:

Istituto Superiore di Sanità

Schweden:

SP Swedish National Testing and Research Institute

Portugal:

Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres, SA

Components made from Polybutene-1 intended for use in the conveyance of water for human consumption fulfil all existing requirements of national/international applicable standards in Europe.