Latest Update from EDW
ESA continues to align with the Drinking Water Regulations in the EU as an associate member of the EDW association. EDW has developed a guidance document, “Materials in Contact with Drinking Water: Testing of Final Materials and Conformity Assessment,” targeting materials and products used in new installations as well as during renovations or repairs of existing installations. The primary goals are to prevent microbial growth and minimise the risk of harmful substances leaching into drinking water. 
This draft guidance document (97 pages) is intended to facilitate and support the practical implementation of the requirements set out and defined in Article 11 of Directive (EU) 2020/2184, which is set to take effect on December 31, 2026, as well as Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/368 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/370 supplementing and specifying these requirements in the manufacture of products and the corresponding conformity assessment procedure.
It is addressed equally at conformity assessment bodies, notifying authorities, manufacturers of final products intended to come into contact with water intended for human consumption, and producers of products in the upstream supply chain that are required for this purpose.
The guidance given in this document, while not legally binding, is equally not in legal conflict with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2020/2184 as well as Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/368 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/370 supplementing and specifying those requirements.
On September 12, ESA participated in a meeting where this guidance document was further evaluated.
European Council on groundwater
The Council has approved a negotiating mandate to update the directives governing water quality in the EU. This update will revise the water framework directive, the groundwater directive, and the directive on environmental quality standards. The key focus is on updating the list of priority substances and setting new environmental quality standards for both surface and groundwater.
The Council aims to strike a balance between ambitious water quality goals and providing member states with the flexibility needed for implementation, while also ensuring fairness and reducing administrative burdens.
An important advancement includes the addition of new pollutants to the list, such as certain pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and for some per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). The Council has agreed to uphold the Commission’s proposal to set specific standards for a group of 24 PFAS chemicals in surface water, recognising the significance of protecting human health and ecosystems.
EU Industrial Deal Declaration
During the EU Industrial Summit on February 20, 2024, at the BASF plant in Antwerp, the EU Industrial Deal declaration was signed with several key objectives:
- Centralise the Industrial Deal in the new EU Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029.
- Include a substantial public funding chapter featuring a Clean Tech Deployment Fund.
- Position Europe as a global energy provider.
- Address Europe’s infrastructure needs.
- Enhance the EU’s raw material security.
- Increase demand for net-zero, low-carbon, and circular products.
- Strengthen, enforce, and improve the Single Market.
- Innovate the legislative framework.
- Ensure that the structure supports achieving tangible results.
So far, 1272 organisations from 25 sectors, 864 companies, 361 associations and unions, and 47 others have signed the declaration. ESA is proud to be among them!
You can also support the Industrial Deal by signing the declaration: antwerp-declaration.eu.
Sandy Van den Broeck,
ESG Director, ESA