The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003

• Citation: S.I. 2003/666
• Sections: 22

Section 1 Title, commencement and extent

These Regulations may be cited as the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003, shall come into force on 3rd April 2003 and shall extend to England only.

Section 2 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999 shall be amended in relation to England in accordance with regulations 3 to 21.

Section 3 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In regulation 2 (interpretation)—

(a) in paragraph (1)—

(i) in the definition of “bottle”, for the words “for human consumption” in both cases where they appear, there shall be substituted the words “for drinking by humans”,

(ii) after the definition of “Directive 80/778”, there shall be inserted the following definition—

“Directive 98/83” means Council Directive 98/83/EC relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption ;

(iii) for the definition of “drinking water”, there shall be substituted the following definition—

“drinking water” means water intended for sale for drinking by humans other than—

natural mineral water; or

water bottled in a bottle marked or labelled “spring water” in accordance with regulation 11;

(iv) in each of the definitions of “parameter” and “prescribed concentration or value”, there shall be inserted at the beginning the words “subject to paragraph (5) below,”;

(b) for paragraph (2), there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

(2) Other expressions used both in these Regulations and in Council Directive 80/777 or 80/778 have the same meanings in these Regulations as they bear in the Directive concerned.

(c) after paragraph (4), there shall be added the following paragraphs—

(5) Before 25th December 2003, the references to “Schedule 3”, in the definitions of “parameter” and “prescribed concentration or value” in paragraph (1) above, shall have effect as if the amendments made to these Regulations by regulations 17 to 21 of the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 had not been made.

(6) Any reference in these Regulations to the marking or labelling of a bottle relates both to the case where the marking or labelling occurs before any water is bottled and also to the case where it occurs after bottling.

Section 4 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In paragraph (c) of regulation 3 (exemptions), for the words “human consumption” there shall be substituted the words “drinking by humans”.

Section 5 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In regulation 4 (recognition as natural mineral water)—

(a) in paragraph (2)—

(i) in sub-paragraph (a) the word “or” shall be deleted.

(ii) in sub-paragraph (b) there shall be added at the end the word “or”, and

(iii) after sub-paragraph (b) there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraph—

(c) that the content of the water is not in accordance with paragraph 2(c) in Part I or, as the case may be, paragraph 2(c) in Part II, of Schedule 1,

(b) for paragraph (5), there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

(5) Upon the grant or withdrawal pursuant to this regulation, by the relevant authority in England, of recognition for the purposes of Article 1, the authority concerned shall immediately inform the Agency of such grant or withdrawal.

(c) immediately after paragraph (7), there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

(7A) Upon receiving notification of any change to the trade description of a natural mineral water, or to the name of the spring from which a natural mineral water has been extracted, the relevant authority in England shall immediately inform the Agency of that change.

Section 6 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In regulation 5 (prohibition on sale), after the words “any water” there shall be inserted the words “bottled in a bottle”.

Section 7 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In regulation 10 (labelling of natural mineral water)—

(a) in paragraph (1), after the words “cause a natural mineral water to be” there shall be inserted the words “bottled in a bottle”;

(b) in paragraph (3), after the words “Natural mineral water shall be” there shall be inserted the words “bottled in a bottle”; and

(c) for paragraph (5), there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

(5) No person shall sell any natural mineral water which—

(a) is bottled in a bottle marked or labelled in contravention of paragraph (1) above;

(b) has undergone any of the treatments referred to in paragraph (3)(a) above, unless the bottle in which it is bottled is marked or labelled with the appropriate indication in accordance with that paragraph;

(c) is bottled in a bottle not marked or labelled with the mandatory information referred to in paragraph (4) above; or

(d) is bottled in a bottle marked or labelled with a trade description which is different from the trade description with which any other natural mineral water originating from the same spring is marked or labelled.

Section 8 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

For regulation 11 (spring water), there shall be substituted the following regulation—

Spring water

(11)

(1) No person shall cause any water to be bottled in a bottle marked or labelled with the description “spring water” unless—

(a) that water has been extracted from a spring;

(b) subject to paragraph (4) below, that water would, if it were a natural mineral water, meet the exploitation and bottling requirements;

(c) that water would, if it were a natural mineral water, be capable of being bottled or sold without contravening the provisions of regulation 8;

(d) subject to paragraphs (6) and (7) below, that water satisfies the requirements of Schedule 3; and

(e) the bottling occurs at source.

(2) No person shall cause any bottle to be marked or labelled with the description “spring water” unless the water contained in it—

(a) is, subject to paragraphs (6) and (7) below, bottled as specified in paragraph (1) above;

(b) is (if it has not undergone any treatment) intended for consumption in its natural state; and

(c) would (where the bottle is marked or labelled with any trade description), if it were a natural mineral water, comply with the requirements of Article 8.

(3) No person shall cause any water to be bottled in a bottle marked or labelled with the description “spring water” unless the bottle is also marked or labelled with—

(a) the name of the place where the spring in question is exploited; and

(b) the name of the spring.

(4) Any water bottled in a bottle marked or labelled with the description “spring water”, which is transported from the spring to the bottling plant in a container which is not for distribution to the ultimate consumer, shall not, for that reason alone, be taken to have failed to meet the exploitation and bottling requirements if, on or before 23rd November 1996, the water from that spring was so transported to the bottling plant.

(5) No person shall sell any water which, subject to paragraphs (6) and (7) below, is—

(a) bottled otherwise than as specified in paragraph (1) above; or

(b) bottled in a bottle marked or labelled in contravention of paragraph (2) or (3) above.

(6) Before 25th December 2003, the references in paragraph (1)(d) above and paragraph (7) below to “Schedule 3” shall have effect as if the amendments made to these Regulations by regulations 17 to 21 of the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 had not been made.

(7) For the purposes of paragraphs (2)(a) and (5) above, where the water concerned has been bottled in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, but does not satisfy the requirements of Schedule 3, it shall be deemed to satisfy those requirements if, at the date of bottling—

(a) it satisfies the requirements prescribed in that State corresponding to those in Schedule 3; and

(b) those requirements are in accordance with—

(i) (where the bottling occurs before 25th December 2003) whichever of Directives 80/778 and 98/83 is applicable in that State, or

(ii) (where the bottling occurs on or after that date) Directive 98/83.

Section 9 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In regulation 12 (bottled drinking water)—

(a) for paragraph (1), there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) below, no person shall cause any drinking water to be bottled, or sell any bottled drinking water, unless it satisfies the requirements of paragraph (2) below and Schedule 3.

(b) for paragraph (2), there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

(2) No person shall cause any drinking water which does not satisfy the provisions of section 1 of Annex I to be bottled in a bottle marked or labelled with any designation, proprietary name, trade mark, brand name, illustration or other sign, whether emblematic or not, the use of which is forbidden by Article 9.1(b).

(c) after paragraph (2), there shall be added the following paragraphs—

(3) Before 25th December 2003, the references in paragraph (1) above and paragraph (4) below to “Schedule 3” shall have effect as if the amendments made to these Regulations by regulations 17 to 21 of the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 had not been made.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1) above, where the water concerned has been bottled in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, but does not satisfy the requirements of Schedule 3, it shall be deemed to satisfy those requirements if, at the date of bottling—

(a) it satisfies the requirements prescribed in that State corresponding to those in Schedule 3: and

(b) those requirements are in accordance with—

(i) (where the bottling occurs before 25th December 2003) whichever of Directives 80/778 and 98/83 is applicable in that State, or

(ii) (where the bottling occurs on or after that date) Directive 98/83.

Section 10 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In regulation 13 (enforcement)—

(a) for paragraph (1), there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) below, each food authority shall—

(a) enforce and execute these Regulations within its area; and

(b) with effect from 25th December 2003, for the purposes of carrying out that function, take within its area, in relation to products to which these Regulations and Directive 98/83 apply, the steps required of member States and competent authorities by Article 7.1 to 3 and 7.6 of that Directive.

(b) in sub-paragraph (a)(i) of paragraph (2), for the expression “4(b)” there shall be substituted the expression “4(a)”; and

(c) in paragraph (3), for the expression “and 11(1)(e) and (f)” there shall be substituted the expression “, 11(2), (3) and (5)(b) and 12(2)”.

Section 11 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

For regulation 16 (analysis), there shall be substituted the following regulation—

(16)

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, methods of analysis which accord with Article 7.5 of Directive 98/83 shall be used for the purposes of determining whether or not water satisfies the provisions of Schedule 3.

(2) Before 25th December 2003, paragraph (1) above shall have effect as if the reference therein to Article 7.5 of Directive 98/83 were a reference to Article 12.5 of Directive 80/778 and the amendments made to these Regulations by regulations 17 to 21 of the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 had not been made.

Section 12 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In regulation 17 (offences and penalties), for the expression “10(1) or (5), 11(1) or (3), 12” there shall be substituted the expression “10(1) or (5), 11(1), (2), (3) or (5), 12(1) or (2)”.

Section 13 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In regulation 18 (defences)—

(a) for sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1), there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraph—

(b) if the water was intended for export to an EEA State, that—

(i) in the case of water bottled in a bottle marked or labelled with the term “spring water”—

(A) where the export was to take place before 25th December 2003, the legislation complies with the provisions of Directive 80/777 and whichever of Directives 80/778 and 98/83 is applicable in the State concerned, and

(B) where the export was to take place on or after that date, the legislation complies with the provisions of Directives 80/777 and 98/83, and

(ii) in the case of bottled drinking water—

(A) where the export was to take place before 25th December 2003, the legislation complies with the provisions of whichever of Directives 80/778 and 98/83 is applicable in the State concerned, and

(B) where the export was to take place on or after that date, the legislation complies with the provisions of Directive 98/83.

(b) in paragraph (2)(a), after the word “or” there shall be inserted the words “the bottle in which it was bottled was marked or”; and

(c) in paragraph (3), before the words “marked or labelled”, wherever they appear, there shall be inserted the words “bottled in a bottle”.

Section 14 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In paragraph (3) of regulation 19 (application of other provisions), for the word “it” there shall be substituted the words “the bottle in which it is bottled”.

Section 15 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), in paragraph 2(c) of each of Parts I and II of Schedule 1 (recognition of natural mineral waters), after the expression “numbers 1 to 9” there shall be inserted the expression “and 12”.

(2) Before 25th December 2003, paragraph 2(c) in each of Parts I and II of Schedule 1 shall have effect as if the amendments made by paragraph (1) and regulation 19 had not been made.

Section 16 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In Schedule 2 (particulars of anions, cations, non-ionised compounds and trace elements), in the entry in the second column opposite to the entry in the first column relating to the anion Fluoride F, for the expression “µg/l” there shall be substituted the expression “mg/l”.

Section 17 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

In paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 3 (requirements for spring water and drinking water including prescribed concentrations or values of parameters)—

(a) for sub-paragraph (a), there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraphs—

(a) the water does not contain—

(i) any micro-organism (other than a parameter) or parasite, or

(ii) any property, element or substance (other than a parameter),

at a concentration or value which would constitute a potential danger to human health;

(aA) the water does not contain any substance (whether or not a parameter) at a concentration or value which, in conjunction with any other property, element, substance or organism it contains (whether or not a parameter), would constitute a potential danger to human health;

(b) for sub-paragraph (b), there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraph—

(b) the water does not contain concentrations or values of any of the parameters listed in Tables A to D in Part II of this Schedule in excess of the prescribed concentrations or values; and

(c) in sub-paragraph (c), the words from “and its alkalinity” to the end shall be deleted.

Section 18 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

For Table A in Part II of Schedule 3 (prescribed concentrations or values of spring water and drinking water) and the note attached to it, there shall be substituted the following provisions—

Note 1: The concentration (mg/l) of nitrate divided by 50 added to the concentration (mg/l) of nitrite divided by 3 must not exceed 1.

Note 2: Excluding tritium, potassium−40, radon and radon decay products.

Section 19 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

For Table B in Part II of Schedule 3 and the notes attached to it, there shall be substituted the following provisions—

Note 1: “Pesticides” means:

organic insecticides,

organic herbicides,

organic fungicides,

organic nematocides,

organic acaricides,

organic algicides,

organic rodenticides,

organic slimicides,

related products (inter alia, growth regulators) and their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products.

Only those pesticides which are likely to be present in a given water need to be monitored.

Note 2: The maximum concentration applies to each individual pesticide. In the case of aldrin, dieldrin, heptaclor and heptachlor epoxide the maximum concentration is 0.030 μg/l.

Note 3: The maximum concentration for “total substances” refers to the sum of the concentrations of all individual pesticides detected and quantified in the monitoring procedure.

Note 4: The specified compounds are benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1.2,3–cd) pyrene.

(a) individual substances

(b) total substances

Section 20 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

For Table C in Part II of Schedule 3 and the notes attached to it, there shall be substituted the following provisions—

Note 1: The total viable colony count should be measured within 12 hours of bottling, with the sample water being kept at a constant temperature during that 12 hour period. Any increase in the total viable colony count of the water between 12 hours after bottling and the time of sale should not be greater than that normally expected.

Note 2: In 72 hours on agar-agar or an agar-gelatine mixture.

Note 3: In 24 hours on agar-agar.

Section 21 Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999

For Table D in Part II of Schedule 3, there shall be substituted the following provisions—

Note 1: The maximum concentration specified applies to the sum of the concentrations of the specified parameters.

Note 2: The parametric value refers to the residual monomer concentration in the water as calculated according to specifications of the maximum release from the corresponding polymer in contact with the water.

Section 22 Consequential amendments

(1) In Schedule 1 to the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations 1990 (provisions to which those Regulations do not apply) the reference in the second column, opposite to the reference in the first column to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999, shall be amended in relation to England so as to read “ S.I. 1999/1540 as amended by S.I. 2003/666 ”.

(2) In relation to England, in the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 in paragraph (1) of regulation 2 (interpretation), in the definition of “water”, after the date “1999” there shall be inserted the words “as amended by the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003”.