In a press release published on October 23, 2018, European Parliament (EP) informed that on the same day the full EP plenary adopted a report prepared by its Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) on the EU Commission’s (EC) proposal for revision of the EU Drinking Water Directive, published in February 2018 (FPF reported), with 300 votes in favor against 98 objections and 274 abstentions. Next, the EP “will enter into negotiations with Council once EU ministers have set their own position on the file.”
The revised drinking water legislation “tightens the maximum limits for certain pollutants, . . . introduces new caps for certain endocrine disruptors,” and puts “microplastics, an emerging concern, under monitoring.” Further, Member States are encouraged to “take measures to provide universal access to clean water in the EU and improve water access in cities and public places,” along with taking step to improve citizens’ confidence in drinking water quality. These measures should “increase the use of tap water for drinking” and consequently result in “lower consumption of bottled water,” which in turn is expected to “contribute to reducing plastic usage and litter.” Therefore, the update of the Drinking Water Directive constitutes “an important legislative step towards implementing the EU Plastics Strategy,” the EP states.
Read more
EP (October 23, 2018). “Drinking water: new plans to improve tap water quality and cut plastic litter.”
EC (October 23, 2018). “The Commission welcomes European Parliament’s vote on the revised Drinking Water Directive.” European Commission – Daily News
EP (October 19, 2018). «Drinking water in the EU: Better quality and access.»
EP (October 19, 2018). «Coming up in plenary: plastic litter, drinking water, Facebook data.»
Rachel Arthur (October 25, 2018). «Bottled water to overtake all other soft drinks globally.» Beverage Daily
Clelia Oziel (October 25, 2018). «MEPs back plans to revise drinking water Directive.» Chemical Watch
References
EP (October 1, 2018). “Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast).” A8-0288/2018
EC (February 2, 2018). “Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast).” COM/2017/0753 final – 2017/0332 (COD)
