With the adoption of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/371, the Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184) introduces a new European mark for products and materials in contact with drinking water.
From now on, once a product has successfully passed conformity assessment, it must carry this mark before being placed on the EU market.
The mark is a clear signal to authorities, installers, and consumers that the product complies with the hygiene, safety, and migration requirements of the DWD. It is part of the wider set of delegated regulations — alongside the rules on positive lists, testing, and conformity modules — that together form the new European system.
The mark looks like this:
How the DWD mark Works
The regulation sets out the rules for use of the mark:
The DWCM must be affixed to the product itself, or where this is not possible, to the packaging and accompanying documents.
The mark may only be applied after a certificate is issued by a Notified Body under Regulation (EU) 2024/370.
Each product bearing the mark must be backed by an EU Declaration of Conformity, held by the manufacturer and available to market surveillance authorities.
The mark must be visible, legible, and indelible, following the specifications in the Annex to 2024/371.
It must be at least 5 MM high
On the documentation and packaging you must also include "SUITABLE FOR DRINKING WATER". Written in at least one language, but also in all languages of each member state of sale.
DWD Mark vs. CE Marking
It is important to underline that the DWD Mark is not the same as the CE mark. While both marks are based on the New Legislative Framework (NLF), the DWD Mark is specific to the Drinking Water Directive and applies only to products and materials in contact with drinking water. A product may carry both marks if it is subject to other EU product legislation (e.g. construction products, electrical equipment), but the DWD Mark is distinct and cannot replace CE marking.
The Declaration of Conformity – Background and Context
Before a product in contact with drinking water can be placed on the EU market under the Drinking Water Directive (DWD), the manufacturer must issue a Declaration of Conformity (DoC). This is not just a formality — it is the legal statement that ties everything together: your testing, your conformity assessment, and your marking obligations. To understand why the DoC matters, it helps to look at the broader EU framework.
Where the DoC Comes From
The DoC is a central requirement of the New Legislative Framework (NLF), which governs how EU product laws are structured. The idea is simple: regulators cannot check every single product at the border or in the market. Instead, the EU places the legal responsibility directly on the manufacturer. By signing a DoC, the manufacturer formally declares that the product complies with all applicable EU legislation.
In most EU product regimes — from CE marking for electronics to medical devices — the DoC is the one consistent element. It is your signed guarantee that the product has been assessed against the right standards and has passed the necessary conformity assessment modules.