Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2015/365/made/data.xht?view=snippet&wrap=true
Timestamp: 2018-05-22 06:50:40
Document Index: 706863607

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 3', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'ART 3', 'ART 5', 'ART 6', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'ART 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'ART 2', 'ART 3', 'arts 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'ART 2', 'art 2', 'ART 3', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2']

“Directive 98/83” means Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption(5);
“Directive 2009/54” means Directive 2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters(7)(Recast);
“Directive 2013/51” means Council Directive 2013/51/EURATOM laying down requirements for the protection of the health of the general public with regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human consumption(8);
“Regulation 115/2010” means Commission Regulation (EU) No 115/2010 laying down the conditions for use of activated alumina for the removal of fluoride from natural mineral waters and spring waters(9); and
(5) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(10) applies to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.
(a)is a medicinal product within the meaning of Directive 2001/83 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use(11);
5.—(1) Where, in relation to any water that has been recognised under regulation 4(2)(a) or 4(2)(d)(i) it is found that—
(a)by analysis in accordance with Part 3 of Schedule 1, the requirements of paragraph 3 of that Part are not met;
(b)the requirements of Schedule 4 are not met; or
(c)the content of the water is not in accordance with Part 1, paragraph 1(c) or Part 2, paragraph 1(c) of Schedule 1.
the district council or, as the case may be, the Agency may withdraw that recognition until such time as the requirements concerned are met.
(2) Where the district council or the Agency declines to grant or withdraws recognition of a water, the person who exploits or wishes to exploit the spring from which that water emerges or, if different, the person who owns the land on which that spring is situated may within 6 months of being notified of the decision seek a review of the decision by a person appointed for the purpose by the Agency.
(3) The appointed person must review the decision and consider and any representations made by the district council or the Agency and within 3 months report in writing with a recommended course of action to the Agency.
(4) The Agency must either—
(a)confirm the decision together with the reasons; or
(b)direct the district council to grant or restore, or itself restore recognition of the water in question.
(5) Where a district council is directed by the Agency under paragraph (4)(b) to grant or restore recognition, it must immediately comply with that direction.
7. A district council must immediately notify the Agency if—
(a)it grants, restores or withdraws recognition of a natural mineral water; or
(b)it is notified of any change to the trade description of a natural mineral water or to the name of a spring from which natural mineral water has been extracted.
8.—(1) A person must not exploit a spring for the purpose of marketing the water from it as natural mineral water unless—
(b)the Northern Ireland Environment Agency has authorised water to be abstracted from that spring; and
(2) Where it is found during exploitation that natural mineral water is polluted and that the bottling of the water would contravene paragraphs 6, 7 or 8 of Schedule 4, a person must not exploit the spring from which the water is extracted until the cause of the pollution is eradicated and the bottling of the water would comply with those paragraphs.
9.—(1) A person must not subject natural mineral water in its state at source to—
(i)the separation of its unstable elements, such as iron and sulphur compounds, by filtration or decanting, whether or not preceded by oxygenation, in so far as the treatment does not alter the composition of the water as regards the essential constituents which give it its properties;
(ii)the total or partial elimination of free carbon dioxide by exclusively physical methods;
(iii)fluoride removal treatment which is authorised in accordance with Schedule 2; or
(iv)an ozone-enriched air oxidation technique which is authorised in accordance with Schedule 3;
(b)any addition other than the introduction or the re-introduction of carbon dioxide to produce effervescent natural mineral water; or
(c)any disinfection treatment by whatever means, or, subject to paragraph (1)(b), the addition of bacteriostatic elements or any other treatment likely to change the viable colony count of the natural mineral water.
11.—(1) A person must not bottle natural mineral water and label it with—
(a)a trade description which includes the name of the locality, hamlet or other place, unless that trade description refers to a natural mineral water spring, the spring of which, is exploited at the place indicated by that description and is not misleading as regards the place of exploitation of the spring;
(b)a trade description which is different from the name of the spring or the place of its exploitation, unless the name of the spring or place of exploitation is also labelled on the bottle, using letters at least one and a half times the height and width of the largest of the letters used for that trade description;
(c)any indication, designation, trade mark, brand name, picture or other sign, whether figurative or not, the use of which suggests a characteristic which the water does not possess, in particular as regards its origin, the date of authorisation to exploit the spring, the results of analyses or any similar references to guarantees of authenticity;
(d)any indication other than those specified in subparagraphs (f) and (g), attributing to the natural mineral water properties relating to the prevention, treatment or cure or a human illness;
(e)any indication listed in the first column of the Table in Schedule 6, except where the natural mineral water meets the criterion so listed and corresponds to the indication;
(f)the indication “may be diuretic” or “may be laxative”, unless the natural mineral water has been assessed as possessing the property attributed by the indication in accordance with physico-chemical analysis and pharmacological, physiological or clinical examination as appropriate; or
(g)the indication “stimulates digestion” or “may facilitate the hepato-biliary functions”, unless the natural mineral water has been assessed as possessing the property attributed by the indication in accordance with the physico-chemical analysis and pharmacological, physiological and clinical examination.
(2) A person must not bottle natural mineral water and label it with a sales description other than—
(a)“natural mineral water”; or
(b)in the case of an effervescent natural mineral water, one of the following, as appropriate—
(i)“naturally carbonated natural mineral water” to describe water whose content of carbon dioxide from the spring after decanting, if any, and bottling is the same as at source, taking into account, where appropriate, the reintroduction of a quantity of carbon dioxide from the same water table or deposit equivalent to that released in the course of those operations and subject to the usual technical tolerances;
(ii)“natural mineral water fortified with gas from the spring” to describe water whose content of carbon dioxide from the same water table or the same deposit after decanting, if any, and bottling is greater than that established at source; or
(iii)“carbonated natural mineral water” to describe water to which has been added carbon dioxide of an origin other than the water table or deposit from which the water comes.
(3) A person must not bottle natural mineral water unless the bottle is labelled with—
(c)where the water has undergone the treatment of total or partial elimination of free carbon dioxide by exclusively physical methods, the indication “fully de-carbonated” or “partially de-carbonated”, as appropriate;
(d)where the water has undergone an ozone-enriched air treatment, the words “water subjected to an authorised ozone-enriched air oxidation technique”, which must appear in proximity to the analytical composition of characteristic constituents; and
(e)where its fluoride concentration exceeds 1.5 mg/l—
(i)the words “contains more than 1.5 mg/l of fluoride; not suitable for regular consumption by infants and children under 7 years of age”, which must appear in immediate proximity to the trade name and in clearly visible characters; and
(ii)the actual fluoride content in relation to the physico-chemical composition, which must be included within the statement referred to in paragraph (3)(a).
Advertising of natural mineral water
12.—(1) Where in accordance with regulation 11(1)(b) a bottle containing a natural mineral water is required to be labelled with the name of the spring or the place of its exploitation—
(2) A person must not advertise natural mineral water in contravention of paragraph (1).
(3) A person must not advertise natural mineral water under any indication, designation, trade mark, brand name, picture or other sign, whether figurative or not, the use of which suggests a characteristic which the water does not possess, in particular as regards its origin, the date of authorisation to exploit it, the results of analyses or any similar references to guarantees of authenticity.
13.—(1) A person must not sell water which is bottled and labelled “natural mineral water” unless that water is natural mineral water recognised in accordance with regulation 4(2).
(2) A person must not sell bottled natural mineral water if it—
(a)has been extracted from a spring which is exploited in contravention of regulation 8;
(b)has been subjected to any treatment or addition in contravention of regulation 9;
(c)is bottled in contravention of regulation 10;
(d)is labelled in contravention of regulation 11; or
(e)is advertised in contravention of regulation 12.
(3) A person must not sell bottled natural mineral water—
(i)parasites or pathogenic micro-organisms;
(ii)Escherichia coli or other coliforms and faecal streptococci in any 250ml sample examined;
(iii)sporulated sulphite-reducing anaerobes in any 50ml sample examined; or
(c)where the revivable total colony count of that water is in excess of that which would result from the normal increase in the bacterial count which it had at source; or
(4) A person must not sell natural mineral water from the same spring under more than one trade description.
PART 3Water intended to be sold as “spring water”
Exploitation of springs and bottling of water intended to be labelled and sold as “spring water”
14.—(1) A person must not bottle water intended to be labelled and sold as “spring water” unless—
(a)the water has been extracted from a spring and is bottled at source;
(b)the water is intended for human consumption in its natural state;
(c)the requirements of Schedule 4 are met; and
(d)the water meets the requirements of Schedule 7.
(2) Where it is found during exploitation that water from a spring is polluted and that bottling of the water would contravene paragraphs 6, 7 or 8 of Schedule 4, a person must not exploit the spring from which the water is extracted until the cause of the pollution is eradicated and the bottling of the water would comply with those paragraphs.
Treatments and additions for water intended to be labelled and sold as “spring water”
15.—(1) A person must not subject any water intended to be labelled and sold as “spring water” in its state at source to—
(iii)a fluoride removal treatment which is authorised in accordance with Schedule 2; or
(iv)an ozone-enriched air treatment which is authorised in accordance with Schedule 3;
(b)any addition other than the introduction or the re-introduction of carbon dioxide; or
(c)any disinfection treatment by whatever means, or, subject to paragraph (1)(b) the addition of bacteriostatic elements, or any other treatment likely to change the viable colony count of the water.
Labelling of water as “spring water”
16.—(1) A person must not label a bottle of water as “spring water” unless the water contained in it—
(a)meets the requirements of regulation 14(1); and
(b)if treated, has undergone a treatment or addition permitted under regulation 15.
(2) If a bottle of water is labelled as “spring water” a person must not label that bottle with a trade description which—
(a)includes the name of a locality, hamlet or other place, unless that trade description refers to water, the spring of which is exploited at the place indicated by that name and is not misleading as regards the place of exploitation of the spring; or
(b)is different from the name of the spring or the place of its exploitation unless the name of the spring or the place of exploitation is also labelled on the bottle, using letters at least one and a half times the height and width of the largest of the letters used for that trade description.
(3) A person must not label a bottle of water as “spring water” unless the bottle is also labelled with—
(a)the name of the place where the spring is exploited;
(c)where the water has undergone an ozone-enriched air treatment, the words “water subjected to an authorised ozone-enriched air oxidation technique”, which must appear in proximity to the particulars referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (b).
PART 5Monitoring and sampling
CHAPTER 1Natural mineral water
CHAPTER 4Samples
29.—(1) An authorised officer who has procured a sample under Article 29 of the Order and is required to give part of that sample to the owner in accordance with regulation 7(3)(c) of the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013(12), may deliver that sample—
(a)directly to the owner or the owner’s agent; or
(b)by registered post or recorded delivery service.
(2) If, after reasonable enquiry, the authorised officer is unable to ascertain the name and address of the owner, the authorised officer may retain the sample.
(3) In this regulation, “owner” has the same meaning as in the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013.
Analysis by the Government Chemist
31.—(1) Paragraphs (2) to (6) apply where a part of a sample procured under Article 29 of the Order has been submitted for analysis and another part of the sample has been retained in accordance with regulation 7(3)(e) of the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 and—
(a)an improvement notice has been served on a person under Article 9(1) of the Order, as applied and modified by regulation 33, as read with Schedule 12, for a contravention of a provision of these Regulations in connection with that sample;
(b)an appeal against that improvement notice has been made by that person to a court of summary jurisdiction; and
(c)the authorised officer intends to adduce as evidence the result of the analysis of the sample procured under Article 29 of the Order.
(b)must, if requested by the court; or
(c)must, subject to paragraph (6), if requested by the recipient of the improvement notice,
(3) The Government Chemist must analyse, or direct a food analyst to analyse, the part of the sample sent under paragraph (2) and send to the authorised officer a Government Chemist’s certificate of analysis.
(5) On receipt of the certificate the authorised officer must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, supply a copy of it to the court and to the recipient of the improvement notice.
(6) Where a request is made under paragraph (2)(c), the authorised officer may request payment of a fee specified in writing from the recipient of the improvement notice to defray some or all of the Government Chemist’s charges for performing the functions under paragraph (3) and in the absence of agreement by the recipient of the improvement notice to pay the fee specified in the notice the authorised officer may refuse to comply with the request.
PART 6Enforcement and miscellaneous provisions
Application of the Order: Improvement Notices
33.—(1) Articles 9(1) and (2) of the Order (improvement notices) apply subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) and with the modification (in the case of Article 9(1)) specified in Part 1 of Schedule 12 for the purposes of enabling an improvement notice to be served on a person requiring that person to comply with any of the provisions specified in that modification and making the failure to comply with an improvement notice an offence.
(2) An authorised officer must not serve an improvement notice under Article 9(1) of the Order, as applied and modified by this regulation and Part 1 of Schedule 12 if—
(a)the improvement notice would relate to water bottled and labelled before 28th November 2015; and
(b)the matters constituting the alleged contravention would not have constituted an offence under the Regulations listed in regulation 36.
(3) If water bottled and labelled as “spring water” or bottled drinking water does not meet the requirements of paragraph 1(c) of Part 1 of Schedule 7 an authorised officer must not serve an improvement notice under Article 9(1) of the Order as applied and modified by this regulation, as read with Schedule 12 if—
(a)the water was bottled or sold in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom; and
(4) Paragraph (1) is without prejudice to the application of the Order to these Regulations for purposes other than those specified in paragraph 1.
34.—(1) Article 33 of the Order (powers of entry) applies, with the modification (in the case of Article 33(1)) specified in Part 2 of Schedule 12 for the purposes of enabling an authorised officer—
(a)to exercise a power of entry to ascertain whether there is, or has been, any contravention of a provision of Regulation 115/2010 specified in Schedule 12;
(c)when exercising a power of entry under Article 33, as applied by this paragraph, to exercise the powers in paragraphs (6) and (7) relating to records.
(2) Article 37 (appeals) and Article 38 (appeals against improvement notices) of the Order apply, with the modifications specified in Part 3 of Schedule 12 for the purpose of enabling a decision to serve a notice referred to in Regulation 33(1) to be appealed.
(3) The provisions of the Order specified in column 1 of the table in Part 4 of Schedule 12 apply, with the modifications specified in column 2 of that Part, for the purposes of these Regulations.
(4) Paragraphs (1) to (3) are without prejudice to the application of the Order to these Regulations for purposes other than those specified in those paragraphs.
(a)the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007(13);
(b)the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009(14);
(c)the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010(15);
(d)the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010(16); and
(e)the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011(17)
37. Schedule 13 (consequential amendments) has effect.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on 5th November 2015.
Regulations 9(1)(a)(iii) and 15(1)(a)(III)
SCHEDULE 2Fluoride removal treatment
1. A person must not carry out fluoride removal treatment on natural mineral water or water intended to be bottled and labelled as “spring water” unless that treatment is authorised by the district council within whose area the water is extracted.
2. A person seeking authorisation to carry out fluoride removal treatment must—
(a)apply in writing to the district council within whose area the water is extracted;
(b)permit representatives of that district council to examine the proposed method of treatment and place of treatment and take samples for analysis; and
3. The district council must assess the application and any supporting information and must authorise the fluoride removal treatment if it is satisfied that—
4. Where the district council decides to authorise a fluoride removal treatment pursuant to paragraph 3, it must inform the applicant in writing and state the date from which the authorisation for use of the treatment has effect.
7. Where the district council is satisfied that the conditions specified in paragraph 3 are no longer fulfilled, it may withdraw authorisation of a fluoride removal treatment by giving the person carrying out the treatment a written notice stating the grounds for withdrawal.
8. Where the district council has informed an applicant under paragraph 6 of its decision to refuse to authorise a treatment under paragraph 4 or to withdraw authorisation of a treatment under paragraph 8, the person who wishes to carry out the treatment may within 6 months of being notified of that decision apply to the Agency for a review.
9. The Agency, upon receiving an application under paragraph 8, must within 3 months from the date of that application—
(a)make such inquiries into the matter as the Agency considers appropriate;
(b)consider the results of those inquiries and any other relevant facts; and
(i)confirm the decision; or
(ii)direct the district council to grant or restore authorisation of a fluoride removal treatment as appropriate.
10. The district council must immediately comply with a direction of the Agency under paragraph 9(c)(ii).
Regulation 9(1)(a)(iv) and 15(1)(a)(vi)
SCHEDULE 3Ozone-enriched air treatment
2. An ozone-enriched air treatment must not—
Maximum limit µg/l
3. A person seeking authorisation to carry out an ozone-enriched air treatment must—
(a)make an application in writing to the district council in whose area the water is extracted;
(b)permit representatives of that district council to examine the proposed method of treatment, and place of treatment and take samples for analysis; and
5. Where the district council decides to authorise an ozone-enriched air treatment pursuant to paragraph 4, it must inform the operator of the treatment in writing stating the date from which the authorisation for use of the treatment has effect.
6. Where the district council refuses to authorise an ozone-enriched air treatment pursuant to paragraph 4, it must inform the applicant in writing, stating its reasons.
8. The district council may withdraw authorisation of an ozone-enriched air treatment if it is satisfied that the conditions specified in paragraph 4 are no longer fulfilled, by giving the person operating the treatment a written notice stating the grounds for withdrawal.
9. Where the district council has informed an applicant under paragraph 5 of its decision to refuse to authorise a treatment under paragraph 3 or to withdraw authorisation of a treatment under paragraph 7, the person who wishes to carry out the treatment may within 6 months of being notified of that decision apply to the Agency for a review.
10. The Agency, upon receiving an application under paragraph 9, must within 3 months from the date of that application—
(ii)direct the district council to grant or restore authorisation of the ozone-enriched air treatment as appropriate.
11. The district council must immediately comply with a direction of the Agency under paragraph 10(c)(ii).
Regulations 8, 10 and 14
SCHEDULE 4Exploitation and bottling requirements for natural mineral water and water intended to be labelled and sold as “spring water”
4. The conditions of exploitation, particularly the washing and bottling equipment, must meet hygiene requirements including in particular, that containers must be so treated or manufactured as to avoid adverse effects on the microbiological and chemical characteristics of the water.
5.—(1) Subject to subparagraphs (2) and (3), water must not be transported in containers other than those authorised for distribution to the ultimate consumer.
(2) Natural mineral water may be transported from the spring to the bottling plant in a container which is not for distribution to the ultimate consumer if on or before 17th July 1980 water from that spring was so transported.
(3) Water intended to be labelled and sold as “spring water” may be transported from the spring to the bottling plant in a container which is not for distribution to the ultimate consumer if, on or before 13th December 1996, water from that spring was so transported.
6.—(1) The revivable total colony count of the water at source, determined according to subparagraph (2), must conform to the normal viable colony count of that water and must not show that the source of that water is contaminated.
(a)at 20 to 22ºC in 72 hours on agar-agar or an agar-gelatine mixture; and
(b)at 37ºC in 24 hours on agar-agar.
(a)100 per ml at 20 to 22ºC in 72 hours on agar-agar or on agar-gelatine mixture; and
(b)20 per ml at 37ºC in 24 hours on agar-agar.
(2) The total colony count of the water must be measured within a period of 12 hours following bottling, the water being maintained at 4ºC +/- 1ºC during that period.
(c)sporulated sulphite-reducing anaerobes in any 50ml sample examined; and
SCHEDULE 5Constituents of natural mineral water
PART 2Performance characteristics for analysing the constituents in Part 1
Accuracy of parametric value in %(2)
Precision of parametric value(3)
Detection limit of parametric value in %(4)
The method of analysis used to measure the concentration of the constituents in Part 1 must be capable of measuring concentrations equal to the parametric value with the specified accuracy, precision and detection limits. Regardless of the sensitivity of the method of analysis, the result must be expressed to at least the same number of decimal places as the maximum limit set out in Part 1 for the particular constituent being analysed.
Precision represents the random error and is expressed in general as the standard deviation (within a batch and between batches) of a sample of results from the average. Acceptable precision is equal to twice the relative standard deviation.
Cyanide (5) 10 10 10
SCHEDULE 6Labelling indications for natural mineral water
Regulations 14(1)(d) and 19
SCHEDULE 7Requirements for water bottled and labelled as “spring water” and bottled drinking water including prescribed concentrations or values of parameters
PART 2Parametric values for microbiological and chemical parameters
3. Pseudomonas aeruginosa number/250ml 0/250 ml
4. Colony count 22ºC number/ml 100/ml(1) (2)
5. Colony count 37ºC number/ml 20/ml(1) (3)
– organic insecticides,
– organic herbicides,
– organic fungicides,
– organic nematocides,
– organic acaricides,
– organic algicides,
– organic rodenticides,
– organic slimicides, and
– related products (inter alia, growth regulators) and their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products.
The maximum concentration applies to each individual pesticide. In the case of aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide the maximum concentration is 0.030 µg/l.
The specified compounds are benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene.
1. Acrylamide µg/l 0.10 (1)
2. Antimony µg Sb/l 5
3. Arsenic µg As/l 10
4. Benzene µg/l 1.0
5. Benzo (a) pyrene µg/l 0.010
6. Boron mg/l 1.0
7. Bromate µg/l BrO3/l 10
8. Cadmium µg Cd/l 5
9. Chromium µg Cr/l 50
11. Cyanide µg CN/l 50
12. 1,2-dichloroethane µg/l 3.0
13. Epicholorohydrin µg/l 0.10 (1)
14. Fluoride mg F/l 1.5
15. Lead µg Pb/l 10
16. Mercury µg Hg/l 1
17. Nickel µg Ni/l 20
18. Nitrate mg NO3/l 50 (2)
19. Nitrite mg NO2/l 0.5 (2)
20. Pesticides and related products:
- individual substances µg/l 0.10 (3) (4)
- total substances µg/l 0.50 (3) (5)
21. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons µg/l 0.1 sum of concentrations of specified compounds (6)
22. Selenium µg Se/l 10
23. Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene µg/l 10 (7)
Dicholrorbromomethane, Dibromocholromethane and Tribromomethane
µg/l 100 (7)
25. Vinyl chloride µg/l 0.50 (1)
PART 3Parametric values for indicator parameters
Table C: Indicator Parameters
Necessary only if the water originates from or is influenced by surface water.
This parameter need not be measured if the parameter Total Organic Carbon is analysed.
This parameter need not be measured for supplies of less than 10,000m3 a day.
1. Aluminium µg/l 200
2. Ammonium mg/l 0.50
3. Chloride mg/l 250(1)
4. Clostridium perfringens (including spores) number/100ml 0(2)
5. Colour Mg/1 Pt/Co scale 20
6. Conductivity µS cm-1 at 20°C 2500(1)
7. Hydrogen ion concentration pH units
9.5 (maximum)(1)
8. Iron µg/l 200
9. Manganese µg/l 50
10. Odour Dilution number 3 at 25°C
11. Oxidisability mg/l O2 5(3)
12. Sulphate mg/l 250(1)
13. Sodium mg/l 200
14. Taste Dilution number 3 at 25°C
15. Colony Count 22° No abnormal change
16. Coliform bacteria number/250ml 0
17. Total Organic Carbon No abnormal change (4)
18. Turbidity
Regulation 24 (2)(a)
SCHEDULE 8Monitoring for parameters other than radioactive substances in water bottled and labelled as “spring water” and bottled drinking water
2. Check monitoring means sampling water bottled and labelled as “spring water” and bottled drinking water for each parameter listed in Table 1 in the circumstances listed in that table in order—
(a)to determine whether the water complies with the parametric concentrations or values in Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 7;
Aluminium Necessary only when used as flocculant
Necessary only if the water originates from or
is influenced by surface water
Iron Necessary only when used as flocculant
Nitrite Necessary only when chloramination is used as a disinfectant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa In all supplies
Colony count 22°C and 37°C In all supplies
3. Sampling must be carried out at frequencies specified in Table 2.
> 10 ≤ 60 12
> 60 1 for each 5m3 and part thereof of the total volume
SCHEDULE 10Sampling and analysis for parameters other than radioactive substances in water bottled and labelled as “spring water” and bottled drinking water
1.—(1) The district council must ensure that each sample is analysed in accordance with Annex III to Directive 98/83 and this Schedule.
(2) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table 1 in Part 2 the method of analysis is specified in the second column of that table.
(3) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table 2 in Part 2 the method of analysis is one that is capable of—
(4) For hydrogen ion, the method of analysis must be capable of measuring a value with a trueness of 0.2pH unit and a precision of 0.2 pH unit.
(5) The method of analysis used for odour and taste parameters must be capable of measuring values equal to the parametric value with a precision of 1 dilution number at 25 ºC.
(6) For the purpose of this paragraph—
“limit of detection” is—
Sampling and analysis by persons other than district councils
3.—(1) A district council may enter into an arrangement for any person to take and analyse samples on its behalf.
(2) A district council must not enter into an arrangement under paragraph (1) unless—
(a)it is satisfied that the task will be carried out promptly by a person competent to perform it; and
Regulation 25(1)(b)
SCHEDULE 11Sampling and analysis for indicative dose in water bottled and labelled as “spring water” and bottled drinking water
3. For each parameter specified in the first column of Table 2 in Part 2, the method of analysis must be one that is capable of detecting the parameter at the limit of detection specified in the second column of that table.
4. If the following formula is satisfied, the indicative dose is considered to be less than the parametric value of 0.1 mSv and no further investigation is required—
Ci(obs) = observed concentration radionuclide i
Ci(der) = derived concentration of radionuclide i
n = number of radionuclides detected
Derived concentrations for radioactivity
Natural U-238(1) 3.0 Bq/l
U-234(1) 2.8 Bq/l
The limit of detection is calculated according to the ISO standard 11929: Determination of the characteristic limits (decision threshold, detection limit and limits of the confidence interval) for measurements of ionising radiation – Fundamentals and application, with probabilities of errors of 1st and 2nd kind of 0.05 each.
Measurement uncertainties are calculated and reported as complete standard uncertainties, or as expanded standard uncertainties with an expansion factor of 1.96, according to the ISO Guide for the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement.
This limit of detection applies only to initial screening for indicative dose for a new water source. If initial checking indicates that it is not plausible that Ra-228 exceeds 20% of the derived concentration, the limit of detection may be increased to 0.08 Bq/l for routine Ra-228 nuclide specific measurements, until a subsequent re-check is required.
Tritium 10 Bq/l (3)
Radon 10 Bq/l (3)
0.04 Bq/l (4)
0.4 Bq/l (4)
Ra-228 0.02 Bq/l (5)
Regulations 33 and 34
SCHEDULE 12Application and modification of provisions of the Order
1. For Article 9(1) (improvement notices), substitute—
“(1) If an authorised officer has reasonable grounds for believing that a person is failing to comply with any provision specified in paragraph (1A), the authorised officer may, by a notice served on that person (in this Order referred to as an “improvement notice”)—
(1A) The provisions referred to in paragraph (1) are—
(a)any of regulations 8 to 22 of the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015; and
(b)any of the following provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 115/2010 laying down the conditions for use of activated alumina for the removal of fluoride from natural mineral waters and spring waters—
(i)Article 1.2 (requirement that any fluoride removal treatment be performed in accordance with the technical requirements set out in the Annex);
(ii)the first sentence of Article 2 (requirement that the release of residues into natural mineral water or spring water as a result of any fluoride removal treatment be as low as technically feasible according to the best practices and not pose a risk to public health);
(iii)the second sentence of Article 2 (requirement to ensure compliance with the first sentence of Article 2, operators implement and monitor the critical processing steps set out in the Annex);
(iv)Article 3.1 (requirement that the application of fluoride removal treatment be notified to the competent authorities at least three months prior to use); and
(v)Article 4 (requirement that the label on natural mineral water or spring water subjected to any fluoride removal treatment include specified information in proximity to the statement of the analytical composition).”
PART 2Modification of Article 33(1)
1. In Article 33(1) for subparagraphs (a) to (c) (powers of entry) substitute—
“(a)to enter any premises within the council’s district for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is or has been on the premises any contravention of the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No.115/2010 laying down the conditions for use of activated alumina for the removal of fluoride from natural mineral waters and spring waters specified in Article 9(1A)(b) as applied and modified by regulation 33 and Part 2 of Schedule 12 to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015; and
(b)to enter any business premises, whether within or outside of the council’s district, for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is on the premises any evidence of any contravention within that area of any such provisions;”.
PART 3Modification of Article 37 and 38
1. For Article 37(1) of the Order (appeals), substitute—
“(1) Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of an authorised officer to serve an improvement notice under Article 9(1) as applied and modified by Regulation 33(1) and Part 1 of Schedule 12 of the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 may appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction”.
3. In both Article 38(1) and (2) of the Order after “improvement notice” insert “under Article 9(1) as applied and modified by regulation 33(1) and Part 1 of Schedule 12 of the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015”.
Part 4Application and modification of other provisions of the Order
For “this Order” substitute “the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015”.
Article 4 (presumptions that food intended for human consumption) In paragraph (1), for “this Order” substitute “the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015”.
Article 19 (offences due to fault of another person) For “any of the preceding provisions of this part” substitute “Article 9(2) as applied by regulation 33(1) of, and Schedule 12 to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015,”.
In paragraph (1), for “any of the preceding provisions of this Part” substitute “Article 9(2) as applied by regulation 33(1) of Part 1, Schedule 12 to, the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015,”.
Omit paragraphs (2)-(4)
Article 29 (procurement of samples) In paragraph (b)(ii), after “under Article 33 below”, insert “as applied by regulation 34(1) of Part 2, Schedule 12 to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015”.
Article 30(8) (evidence of certificates given by a food analyst or examiner) For “this Order” substitute “the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015”.
Article 34 (obstruction etc. of officers) In paragraph (1), for “this Order” (in each place where it occurs) substitute “the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015”.
In paragraph (1), after “Article 34(1)” insert “, as applied and modified by regulation 34(3) of Part 4, Schedule 12 to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015”
After subparagraph (1), insert—
“(1A) A person guilty of an offence under Article 9(2), as applied by regulation 33(1) of Part 1, Schedule 12 to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.”.
In paragraph (2) for “any other offence under this Order” substitute “an offence under Article 34, as applied by regulation 34(3) of Part 2, Schedule 12 to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015,”.
1. In regulation 4(a) of the Private Water Supplies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009(18) (exemptions), for “the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007” substitute “the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015”
2. In Schedule 1 to the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013(19) omit the references to “The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007”.
3. In Schedule 7 to the Food Information Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 omit paragraph 16 of Part 2
These Regulations implement and enforce the following European instruments—
(a)Council Directive 98/83/EC relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption (OJ No L 330, 3.11.98, p32), so far as it applies to water intended to be labelled and sold as “spring water” and bottled drinking water;
(b)Directive 2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters (Recast) (OJ No L 164, 26.6.09, p45);
(c)Commission Directive 2003/40/EC establishing the list, concentration limits and labelling requirements for the constituents of natural mineral waters and the conditions for using ozone-enriched air for the treatment of natural mineral waters and water bottled and labelled as “spring water” (OJ No L 126, 22.5.03, p34);
(d)Commission Regulation (EU) No 115/2010 laying down the conditions for use of activated alumina for the removal of fluoride from natural mineral waters and water bottled and labelled “spring water”;
(e)In relation to water bottled and labelled as “spring water” and bottled drinking water, Council Directive 2013/51/Euratom laying down the requirements for the protection of the health of the general public with regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human consumption (OJ No L 296, 7.11.13, p12).
(a)provide for exemptions from the Regulations in relation to specified types of water and for ice for cooling food (regulation 3);
(b)prescribe the conditions for recognition of natural mineral water, the procedures for withdrawal of such recognition and provide for review of decisions not to grant or to withdraw recognition where that is requested by the person affected by the decision (regulations 4, 5, 6 and 7);
(c)set out the conditions which must be satisfied for springs to be exploited with a view to marketing water from them as natural mineral water and prohibit exploitation of polluted springs until the cause of the pollution is eradicated (regulation 8);
(d)prohibit subjection of natural mineral water to treatments and additions other than specified ones, subject to an exception in the case of such water when used in the manufacture of soft drinks (regulation 9);
(e)prohibit bottling of natural mineral water where specified requirements relating to exploitation of the spring and bottling of the water are not complied with; prohibit bottling in containers not satisfying specified requirements and prohibit bottling of natural mineral water containing specified substances above specified limits and prescribe the methods to be used for detection of such substances (regulation 10);
(f)restrict the labelling that may be applied to bottled natural mineral water (including effervescent natural mineral water), require such water to be labelled with specified information and in two respects regulate advertising of such water in addition to its labelling (regulations 11 and 12);
(g)prohibit sale of water in a bottle whose marking or labelling uses the name “natural mineral water” unless it is such water; impose other prohibitions in relation to the sale of bottled natural mineral water; and prohibit the sale of natural mineral water from a single spring under more than one trade description (regulation 13);
(h)prohibit bottling of water in a bottle labelled “spring water” unless the water satisfies specified requirements, prohibit such bottling where the water has been treated with ozone enriched air unless the treatment is an authorised one and prohibit exploitation of polluted springs until the cause of the pollution is eradicated (regulation 14);
(i)prohibit subjection of water bottled and labelled “spring water” to treatments and additions other than specified ones. (Regulation 15);
(j)impose restrictions on bottling and labelling water as “spring water” , require such water to be labelled with specified information and in one respect regulate advertising of such water in addition to its labelling (regulations 16 and 17);
(k)prohibit sale of water bottled in a bottle labelled “spring water” if the water does not comply with the requirements as regards bottling and as regards labelling and advertisement in regulations 16 and 17 respectively, and prohibit sale of such water from one spring under more than one trade description (regulation 18);
(l)prohibit bottling of drinking water unless it satisfies the requirements of Schedule 7 (regulation 19);
(m)impose restrictions on the labelling and advertising of bottled drinking water (regulation 20 and 21);
(n)prohibit sale of bottled drinking water not bottled in accordance with regulation 19 or not labelled in accordance with regulation 20 (regulation 22);
(o)prescribes the requirements for monitoring natural mineral water, water bottled and labelled as “spring water” and bottled drinking water for the purpose of ensuring that the requirements of these Regulations are satisfied (regulations 23 to 31). Regulation 27 prescribes the remedial action that must be taken by a district council in relation to water bottled and labelled as “spring water” and bottled drinking water in the event on non-compliance with the parametric values for the parameters set out in Schedule 7;
(p)imposes an obligation on district councils to execute and enforce the Regulations (regulation 32);
(q)applies certain provisions of the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (1991 N.I.7) with modifications. This includes the application (with modifications) of Article 9(1), enabling an improvement notice to be served requiring compliance with specified provisions of the Regulations. The provisions, as applied, make the failure to comply with an improvement notice an offence (regulations 33, 34 and Schedule 12);
(r)provides for transitional provisions (regulation 35);
(s)revoke the Natural Mineral Water Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007 No.420), the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R.2009 No.260), the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R.2010 No.68), the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R.2010 No.127) and the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011 No.53) (regulation 36); and
(t)makes consequential amendments to other legislation (regulation 37 and Schedule 13).
S.R. 2007 No. 420, amended by S.R. 2009 No. 260, S.R. 2010 Nos. 68 and 127 and S.R. 2011 No. 53
S.R. 2009 No. 260
S.R. 2010 No. 68, amended by S.R. 2010 No. 127
S.R. 2010 No. 127
S.R. 2011 No. 53
S.R. 2013 No. 66, amended by S.R. 2013 No. 229