The session was attended by approximately 98 delegates and observers from 35 Member countries and 5 international organizations. The Canadian delegation had prepared an alternative draft of the standard based on discussions with many of the interested countries. The scope of the draft standard was simplified to include waters defined by origin and prepared waters. Waters defined by origin come from specific environmental resources and may be underground or surface sources.
Prepared waters are all other types of bottled water.
Under the standard, antimicrobial treatments and bulk transport may be used for both waters defined by origin and prepared waters. The source of waters defined by origin must be approved and inspected. The results of source inspection should be made available to the importing country upon request. Because the Committee reached consensus on all of the outstanding issues, the standard was advanced for consideration for adoption at step 8. The U.S. raised concerns about water marketed for infant use.