9 March 2021

4MS Initiative: Changes to documents due to the updated Drinking Water Directive

The German Environment Agency (UBA) (Umweltbundesamt – UBA) has supplemented or revised several documents regarding materials and products in contact with drinking water.

4MS Initiative

In 2011, the four EU member states Germany, France, The Netherlands and The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland agreed to harmonize testing for the hygienic suitability of products in contact with drinking water. This 4MS collaboration has developed successfully and, with a view to expansion, is now referred to as the "4MS Initiative" (4MSI). Since 2018, Denmark has also joined the initiative.

The 4MS Initiative aims to develop a comparable approach to the suitability and assessment of materials in contact with drinking water in the individual countries. The aim is to define precisely which tests are to be used for the respective products.

In addition, the control of the self-monitoring of the manufacturers in their factories and the definition of requirements for the external monitoring tests are to be better pursued. In addition, an examination of the suitability of the certification and testing bodies is planned.

Amended documents

The German Environment Agency (UBA) (Umweltbundesamt – UBA) has supplemented or revised the following documents:

  • Draft Common Approach on Enamels and Ceramic Materials – Part A: Methodologies for accepting and testing of compositions View the document
  • Draft Common Approach on Enamels and Ceramic Materials – Part B: 4MSI Positive List of compositions View the document
  • Draft Common Approach on Enamels and Ceramic Materials – Part C: Procedure and methods for testing and accepting products or components made of enamels or ceramic materials View the document
  • Common Approach on Organic Materials - Part B: Positive List of Starting Substances for Organic Materials.
  • Draft Common Approach on Organic Materials - Part C: Procedures and Methods for Testing and Accepting Products Made of Organic Materials View the document
  • Workprogram View the document 

Kiwa can help

We can support you with the approval of your drinking water products, especially with the current revisions and additions by the UBA. Would you like more information? Please contact us via the form on this page.