Ensuring drinking water quality: certifications are not an administrative burden but your salvation

Clean drinking water is becoming increasingly scarce. Drought, depleted sources, and increasing pollution make quality maintenance a challenge. As a cost estimator or buyer, you face the question: how do you ensure the quality is maintained throughout the entire distribution chain? The answer lies in making the right material choice and the corresponding certifications.

The reality: one wrong rubber can halt your project

We often see tenders or assignments delayed because the correct certificates were not requested. If it happens that products with the wrong rubber are installed, the consequences are significant. Think of leaks that must be fixed and parts that need replacement. And then there's the reputation damage incurred.

All of this can be prevented by requesting the right certificates in advance.

Four certifications you need to know

In Europe, there are four important drinking water certifications:

• Kiwa (Netherlands) - the strictest, especially on hygiene and migration
• WRAS (United Kingdom) - focuses on metallic contaminants
• DVGW (Germany) - technically very detailed
• ACS (France) - strict on plastics

For Dutch projects, Kiwa is leading. They check not only if a product works technically but especially if it does not affect water quality. Assessment Guidelines (BRL) are drawn up by committees of experts from the entire sector: suppliers, producers, and water companies together determine the standards.

EPDM versus NBR - the difference that matters

The rubber in couplings and valves often determines whether your product passes inspection. Testing this rubber is an important part of the inspection, with two types of rubber used:

EPDM for drinking water:

• No odor, color, or taste transfer
• Resistant to chlorine in tap water
• Temperature resistant up to 90°C (tested for cold water at 50°C)
• Kiwa-approved for drinking water 

NBR for wastewater and gas:

• Excellent chemical resistance
• Resistant to oils and fats
• NOT suitable for drinking water
• Cheaper to purchase

If you use NBR instead of EPDM, you do not comply with the BRL, which can always lead to problems. Is the product already used? Then the problems are much larger. The additional cost of EPDM (approximately 15-20%) is negligible compared to repair costs.

Migration is the invisible culprit

Kiwa tests more stringently than other European institutes on migration: the release of substances into drinking water. This is done through:

• Taste test: panels test if water tastes like rubber
• Odor test: does the water smell differently after contact with the material?
• Color test: does the water discolor, even minimally?
• Chemical analysis: which substances dissolve in the water?

Dutch standards are the strictest in this regard. It's not bureaucracy, but a matter of public health protection. And for you as a buyer: assurance that your project won't be disapproved.

Practical checklist for material selection

1. Always ask for the Kiwa certificate Not just the product number, but the complete certificate with validity dates. Certificates expire and are not always automatically renewed.

2. Check the BRL version The version is identifiable by /03, e.g., BRLXXX/03. Note: this refers to a version and not the year.

3. Watch the application A fitting approved for cold water is not automatically suitable for hot water. Check the temperature range. Besides product certifications, which also test functionality, there are material certifications such as for coating and rubber.

4. Document everything Store certificates digitally per project. You will have everything ready at hand if queried by the client or water company.

The value of reliable suppliers

At Imbema, we exclusively work with suppliers that consistently meet all relevant certifications. Not because it’s required, but because we see the value in it. Clean drinking water is not a given. By consistently choosing certified materials, we contribute to quality maintenance throughout the supply chain.

Our suppliers continuously invest in product development to meet the latest standards. This means for you:

• Assurance that products pass inspections
• No surprises upon delivery
• Always available current certificates
• Technical support with questions about standards

Future-proof purchasing

Drinking water standards are only getting stricter. New insights into microplastics, endocrine-disrupting substances, and bacterial growth are leading to tightened rules. What meets standards today may be disapproved tomorrow.

By choosing products now that are well within the standards, you prevent future problems. Consider:

• Rubbers with extra low migration values
• Coatings without suspect substances
• Materials tested for long-term effects

Water quality indeed starts before the tap

As a sector, we are collectively responsible for safe drinking water. The strictness of Dutch standards is not a burden but a guarantee of quality. At Imbema, we embrace these standards and only work with partners who think similarly.

Do you have questions about specific certifications? Are you unsure if a product meets your application? Contact our specialists. We are happy to help you make the right material choice.