Technical Regulation TR EAEU 044/2017 “On safety of packaged drinking water, including natural mineral water” establishes mandatory safety requirements for packaged drinking water placed on the market of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The regulation covers product safety, production, storage, transportation, sale and disposal, as well as packaging and labelling requirements.
Adopted: June 23, 2017.
Entered into force: January 1, 2019.
Application area of TR EAEU 044/2017
The regulation applies to packaged drinking water, including:
- natural mineral water, including table, medicinal-table and medicinal natural mineral water;
- blended drinking water;
- treated drinking water;
- natural drinking water;
- drinking water intended for infants and children;
- artificially mineralised drinking water.
The product’s category and intended use determine the applicable safety requirements and conformity assessment procedure.
Exclusions from the scope
The regulation does not govern geological exploration or the use and protection of water sources. It also excludes certain categories of water, including:
- natural mineral water not intended for drinking or medicinal use;
- drinking water supplied through a public water supply network;
- drinking water intended to supply the population in emergency situations.
Water supplied through a distribution network must be distinguished from treated water that is subsequently packaged for sale to consumers.
EAC Declaration or state registration?
TR EAEU 044/2017 provides for two routes of conformity assessment. The appropriate route depends on the category of water.
| Water category | Conformity assessment |
|---|---|
| Packaged drinking water other than the categories requiring state registration | EAC Declaration |
| Drinking water intended for infants and children | State registration |
| Medicinal-table natural mineral water | State registration |
| Medicinal natural mineral water | State registration |
State registration for these categories is carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions of TR CU 021/2011 On food safety. An EAC Declaration should not be treated as a substitute for the required state registration.
Authorised representative
The applicant must meet the eligibility requirements of the applicable conformity assessment procedure. Foreign manufacturers may need an authorised representative established in an EAEU Member State.
Schmidt & Schmidt can assist with appointing an authorised representative and determining the appropriate procedure for the product.
Required documents
The documentation depends on the water category and the selected assessment procedure. It may include:
- a product description and identification of the water category;
- information about the manufacturer and water source;
- test reports demonstrating compliance with the applicable requirements;
- information about composition, treatment and production;
- draft labels and packaging information;
- the supply contract and accompanying documents for a specific batch;
- a quality management system certificate, where required by the selected scheme;
- additional evidence required for state registration or declaration.
The final document list should be established after reviewing the product and its intended use.
Conformity assessment process
- Identify the water category and intended use.
- Determine whether an EAC Declaration or state registration is required.
- Select the applicable assessment scheme and testing requirements.
- Prepare the technical documentation and arrange product testing.
- Complete any production or quality management assessment required by the procedure.
- Register the declaration or obtain the state registration document.
- Apply the required labelling and EAC marking before placing the product on the market.
Validity of the conformity documents
The validity and conditions of use depend on the conformity assessment procedure, selected scheme and whether the document covers serial production or a specific batch.
The validity of a conformity document and the shelf life of the bottled water are separate matters. Product shelf life must be established and indicated on the packaging in accordance with the applicable requirements.
The applicant must retain the conformity document and supporting evidence for the period required by the relevant procedure.
EAC marking and labelling
Packaged drinking water that meets the applicable requirements and has completed the required conformity assessment must bear the EAC conformity mark before being placed on the EAEU market.
Labelling must comply with TR EAEU 044/2017 and TR CU 022/2011 on food labelling. Packaging must also meet the applicable requirements of TR CU 005/2011 on packaging.
Information about the water category, source, manufacturer, volume, bottling date, shelf life and storage conditions must be provided as required for the particular product. Additional labelling requirements apply to certain categories of mineral water and water intended for children.
TR EAEU 044/2017 on packaged drinking water, including natural mineral water — Russian text
