New EU regulations on Lead in drinking water: a complete guide for installers and consumers

I nuovi regolamenti UE sul Piombo nell'acqua potabile_ una guida completa per installatori e consumatori

New EU regulations on Lead in drinking water: a complete guide for installers and consumers

The European Union has introduced radical changes in drinking water regulations, with the goal of safeguarding public health by minimizing contamination risks. With the revision of the Drinking Water Directive (DWD) and the establishment of the EU’s Positive List, companies and installers throughout the Union must take proactive measures to comply with the new standards, especially regarding Lead in drinking water systems. 

Let’s look at the main changes, their implications, and what to do to ensure compliance.

Overview of the revision of the drinking water directive

The European Commission has implemented the revision of the Drinking Water Directive (DWD 2020/2184), modernizing quality standards for materials that come into contact with water intended for human consumption. The main goal of the revision is to improve water safety and reduce health risks. A key change is the tighter regulation of Lead levels, both in drinking water and in materials used for water systems.

Among other things, the directive requires all EU countries to reduce the concentration of Lead in drinking water from 10 µg/L to 5 µg/L by 2036. 

In addition, the recently established EU Positive List complements these requirements by setting strict limits on Lead content in water contact materials, such as pipes and fittings, with a maximum allowable Lead content of 0,1% by weight.

Key deadlines

Compliance with these new regulations includes several key deadlines.

2026: products placed on the market after this date must comply with the EU Positive list.

2032: existing products must comply with the new standards, although some national authorities may decide to implement these changes sooner.

2036: full compliance with the new EU wide concentration limits for Lead in drinking water is required.

How new drinking water legislation affects installers and designers

For professionals responsible for the installation and design of drinking water systems, compliance with the new EU Drinking Water Directive (DWD) is not only a legislative requirement, but it is essential to ensure the long-term safety, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of projects.

As seen, Directive 2020/2184 introduces more stringent standards for materials in contact with drinking water, and in particular components such as pipes, fittings and valves will be subject to Lead free requirements, and the deadline for compliance is fast approaching.

The replacement of lead containing materials is a priority, especially for high-contact components.

Non-compliance could result in heavy fines, legal sanctions or the withdrawal of non-compliant products from the market.

Let’s see how to comply with new regulations.

Choose lead free systems early for future proof projects. Switching to Lead free materials as early as possible is a good strategic move, even if the deadline for compliance is 2036. Choosing Lead free components ensures staying one step ahead of potential regulatory changes and offer customers long-term solutions.

Opt for certified materials. When designing plumbing systems, make sure that all components comply with the standards set by the EU Positive List, which comes into force in January 2027.

Working with suppliers that offer compliant materials, that meet the 0,1% lead content threshold by weight, is crucial, as installers will soon have to use only products that carry the appropriate EU certifications and marks.

Replace lead components in existing systems. Although the deadline for full compliance is 2036, addressing the problem in older systems as soon as possible will reduce exposure risks and costs in the long run. Waiting until the last minute could lead to higher compliance costs and potential penalties for non-compliance. In addition, existing buildings with lead contamination may require earlier action, depending on national regulations.

Challenges and opportunities for final consumers

For home and companies owners, the new standards mean safer drinking water, but they also bring potential challenges, especially if current plumbing systems contain Lead materials. However, the long-term benefits of compliance undoubtedly outweigh the short-term inconveniences.

What consumers need to know about the Lead free directive

Lead Contamination Risks. Lead can circulate in drinking water flowing in pipes and through fittings, resulting in significant health risks, especially to children and pregnant women. By 2036, water systems will need to ensure that Lead levels do not exceed 5 µg/L, half the currently permitted concentration.

Home Renovations. If the property has old pipes or fittings containing Lead, replacing them with Lead free alternatives is essential for compliance and health protection.

Added property value. Upgrading plumbing to comply with new EU standards can increase property value, as compliant plumbing systems will soon be a legal requirement.

Drinking water systems: Lead free solutions from Aquatechnik

Aquatechnik has long been at the vanguard of lead free fittings and pipes, offering advanced systems that are already compliant with upcoming EU drinking water safety regulations. The Safety and Universal series of fittings meet and exceed the stringent hygienic standards set by the EU Drinking Water Directive. With the elimination of Lead containing brass alloys -once common in many threaded and metal fittings- Aquatechnik’s products ensure full compliance with the new regulations, ensuring that no metal parts come into contact with drinking water.

The main advantages of Aquatechnik’s Lead free products

Full compliance. Aquatechnik has been manufacturing lead free fittings for more than 20 years, allowing us to get a significant head start on December 2026 deadline for new installations. By choosing our systems now, installers and designers can offer solutions that already meet both the 2026 and 2036 compliance requirements. The Safety and Universal systems are entirely Lead free, ensuring a seamless transition for projects requiring Lead free certification under the EU Positive List.

Safety and reliability. The Safety and Universal series are composed entirely of polymeric materials that are strong and durable. The total absence of metal in contact with water eliminates the risk of Lead contamination, making these products ideal for use in homes, companies and public facilities. With high safety standards, Aquatechnik fittings offer long-term peace of mind to consumers and companies.

Innovative design. Aquatechnik’s Safety-plus fittings not only comply with regulations, but also offer additional benefits through their innovative design. Safety-plus full-pass multilayer fittings are made from advanced polymer materials, including polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) for the fitting body and modified polyamide (PA-M) for the caps. The design ensures superior durability and performance, while the flaring process used for joints with multilayer pipes keeps the inner diameter unchanged, significantly reducing pressure drop and improving water flow efficiency. The anti-unscrewing system further improves the stability and reliability of the system over time.

Quick, safe and economical installation, which is not only ensured by Safety-plus’ innovative design with flaring. The Universal Series press fittings also use a polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) polymer material with O-ring protection, which ensures a safe and quick connection through the press fit system. Technology that not only improves installation speed, but also ensures durable and leak-proof connections, both for greater economy and sustainability

Future-proof solutions. By investing now in Aquatechnik’s Lead free fittings, installers and designers can ensure that their systems meet the most stringent EU standards for years to come. Our solutions are in line with the European Green Deal’s “zero pollution goal” and the Right2Water initiative, which promotes a cleaner and safer future for drinking water distribution.

Advantages of early compliance

Although the transition deadlines may seem far away, early compliance offers numerous benefits to both professionals and end consumers.

Peace of mind about compliance. Avoiding the rush and potential penalties by switching to compliant materials right away is certainly one of the benefits of early adoption of exclusively Lead free materials. In this way, projects will already be aligned with future standards.

Increased competitiveness. For installers and designers, offering Lead free systems as standard can be a major competitive advantage. Many customers will appreciate the fact that their new plumbing systems are not only safe but also future-proof.

Sustainability. Choosing Lead free solutions contributes to the EU’s broader environmental and public health protection goals. The move is in line with the “zero pollution” goal of the European Green Deal, making projects more sustainable as well as compliant.

The future of drinking water distribution, today

The revision of the European Drinking Water Directive is a key step in improving public health and water safety throughout the EU. Adopting Lead free systems and complying with new regulations will ensure safe drinking water for years to come. 

For installers and designers, adopting Lead free solutions early on is a smart move to optimize future projects and costs. 

Take the opportunity to be part of a cleaner and safer future with Aquatechnik systems, choose Lead free fittings and pipes today.

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