FOOD Citation and commencement 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 and shall come into operation on 1st May 2003. Amendments to the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 2 The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 shall be amended in accordance with regulations 3 to 21. 3 In regulation 2 (interpretation) – a in paragraph (1) – i in the definition of “bottle”, for “sold for human consumption”, in both places where it appears, there shall be substituted “sold 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; , and iv in each of the definitions of “parameter” and “prescribed concentration or value” there shall be inserted at the beginning “subject to paragraph (5),”; b for paragraph (2) there shall be substituted – 2 Other expressions used both in these Regulations and in Council Directive 80/777 or 80/778 have the same meaning in these Regulations as they bear in the Directive concerned. ; and 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), 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) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 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. . 4 In paragraph (c) of regulation 3 (exemptions), for “human consumption” there shall be substituted “drinking by humans”. 5 In regulation 4 (recognition as natural mineral water) – a in paragraph (2) – i in sub-paragraph (a), “or” shall be deleted, ii in sub-paragraph (b) there shall be added at the end “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 a district council, of recognition for the purposes of Article 1, the district council concerned shall immediately inform the Agency of such grant or withdrawal. ; and c 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 district council concerned shall immediately inform the Agency of that change. . 6 In regulation 5 (prohibition on sale), after “any water” there shall be inserted “bottled in a bottle”. 7 In regulation 10 (labelling of natural mineral water) – a in paragraph (1), after “cause a natural mineral water to be” there shall be inserted “bottled in a bottle,”; b in paragraph (3), after “Natural mineral water shall be” there shall be inserted “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); b has undergone any of the treatments referred to in paragraph (3)(a), 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); 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. . 8 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 “spring water” unless – a that water has been extracted from a spring; b subject to paragraph (4), 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), 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), bottled as specified in paragraph (1); b is (if it has not undergone any treatment) intended for consumption in its natural state; and c would (where the bottle in which it is bottled 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), is – a bottled otherwise than as specified in paragraph (1); or b bottled in a bottle marked or labelled in contravention of paragraphs (2) or (3). 6 Before 25th December 2003, the references in paragraphs (1)(d) and (7) 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) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 had not been made. 7 For the purposes of paragraphs (2)(a) and (5), 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. . 9 In regulation 12 (bottled drinking water) – a for paragraph (1) there shall be substituted the following paragraph – 1 Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), no person shall cause any drinking water to be bottled, or sell any bottled drinking water, unless it satisfies the requirements of paragraph (2) 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). ; and c after paragraph (2) there shall be added the following paragraphs – 3 Before 25th December 2003, the references in paragraphs (1) and (4) 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) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 had not been made. 4 For the purposes of paragraph (1), 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 25th December 2003) Directive 98/83. . 10 In regulation 13 (enforcement) – a for paragraph (1) there shall be substituted the following paragraph – 1 Each district council shall – a enforce and execute these Regulations within its district, and b with effect from 25th December 2003, for the purposes of carrying out that function, take, within its district, 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 “4(b)” there shall be substituted “4(a)”. 11 For regulation 16 (analysis) there shall be substituted the following regulation – 16 1 Subject to paragraph (2), 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) 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) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 had not been made. . 12 In regulation 17 (offences and penalties), for “10(1) or (5), 11(1) or (3), 12” there shall be substituted “10(1) or (5), 11(1), (2), (3) or (5), 12(1) or (2)”. 13 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 “or” there shall be inserted “the bottle in which it was bottled was marked or”; and c in paragraph (3), before “marked or labelled”, wherever it appears, there shall be inserted “bottled in a bottle”. 14 In paragraph (3) of regulation 19 (application of other provisions), for “it” there shall be substituted “the bottle in which it is bottled”. 15 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 “numbers 1 to 9” there shall be inserted “ 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. 16 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 Fluoride F - , for “μg/1” there shall be substituted “mg/1”. 17 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 in excess of the prescribed concentrations or values; and ; and c in sub-paragraph (c), the words from “and its alkalinity” to the end shall be deleted. 18 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 – TABLE A Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Item Parameters Units of measurement Concentration or value (maximum unless otherwise stated) 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. 1. Colour mg/l Pt/Co scale 20 2. Turbidity NTU 4 3. Odour Dilution number 3 at 25°C 4. Taste Dilution number 3 at 25°C 5. Sulphate mg SO 4 /l 250 6. Sodium mg Na/l 200 7. Nitrate Mg NO 3 /l 50 (note 1) 8. Nitrite mg NO 2 /l 0.5 (note 1) 9. Aluminium μg Al/l 200 10. Copper mg Cu/l 2 11. Fluoride mg F/l 1.5 12. Hydrogen ion concentration pH units 6.5 (minimum) 9.5 (maximum) 13. Tritium (for radioactivity) Bq/l 100 14. Total indicative dose mSv/year 0.10 (note 2) 15. Manganese μg Mn/l 50 . 19 For Table B in Part II of Schedule 3 and the notes attached to it there shall be substituted the following provisions – TABLE B Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Item Parameters Units of measurement Maximum concentration 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 mg/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. 1. Arsenic μg As/l 10 2. Cadmium μg Cd/l 5 3. Cyanide μg CN/l 50 4. Chromium μg Cr/l 50 5. Mercury μg Hg/l 1 6. Nickel μg Ni/l 20 7. Selenium μg Se/l 10 8. Antimony μg Sb/l 5 9. Lead μg Pb/l 10 10. Pesticides and related products: a individual substances μg/l 0.10 (notes 1 and 2) b total substances μg/l 0.50 (notes 1 and 3) 11. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons μg/l 0.1 sum of concentrations of specified compounds (note 4) 12. Bromate μg BrO 3 /l 10 . 20 For Table C in Part II of Schedule 3 and the notes attached to it there shall be substituted the following provisions – TABLE C Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Item Parameters Units of measurement Maximumor concentration 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. 1. Escherichia coli (E.coli) number/250 ml 0/250 ml 2. Enterococci number/250 ml 0/250ml 3. Colony count 22°C number/ml 100/ml (notes 1 and 2) 4. Colony count 37°C number/ml 20/ml (notes 1 and 3) 5. Pseudomonas aeruginosa number/250ml 0/250 ml . 21 For Table D in Part II of Schedule 3 there shall be substituted the following provisions – TABLE D Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Item Parameters Units of measurement Maximum concentration 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. 1. Boron mg B/l 1.0 2. Benzo (a) pyrene μg/l 0.010 3. Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene μg/l 10 (note 1) 4. Tetrachloromethane μg/l 3 5. Benzene μg/l 1.0 6. 1,2 dichloroethane μg/l 3.0 7. Trichloromethane Dichlorobromomethane, Dibromochloromethane and Tribromomethane μg/l 100 (note 1) 8. Epichlorohydrin μg/l 0.10 (note 2) 9. Vinyl chloride μg/l 0.50 (note 2) 10. Acrylamide μg/l 0.10 (note 2) . Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on 19th March 2003. D. Kenny A Senior Officer of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety