• KTW-BWGL replaces the previously non-binding KTW Guidelines
• A. u. K. Müller enables customers to simplify their certification process for end products with the attestation of conformity according to the 1+ system
• Certifications according to KTW guidelines will lose their validity on 03/21/2021
• Extended interim regulation until 03/21/2023 due to COVID 19

The KTW-BWGL is the new assessment basis for plastics and other organic materials that have contact with drinking water. It was published by the German Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA) in 2019 and will come into force on 21 March 2021 after a transitional period of two years. The KTW-BWGL replaces the previously non-binding KTW guidelines. "From this date onwards, entrepreneurs and other owners of water supply systems must ensure, in accordance with § 17 TrinkwV, that only such organic materials are used for the new construction or maintenance of systems for the production, treatment or distribution of drinking water that meet the requirements of this assessment basis."[1]

A. u. K. Müller is currently certifying its components and products in accordance with the recommendation of the UBA (attestation of conformity of the drinking water hygiene suitability of products) according to the 1+ system and will be one of the first manufacturers with this certificate. Due to the small surface area of our valves in contact with the drinking water (<10%), we could use the lesser Simplified Procedure (For further information see below). However, in order to significantly simplify the certification process of the end products for you, our customers, and to meet our own quality requirements, A. u. K. Müller certifies its components and products according to the more stringent 1+ system. "The certification according to the 1+ system is a special concern for us because it places the highest demands on every manufacturer and thus underlines the high standards that we have ourselves for our products."

Customer benefits through certification according to the 1+ system

By classifying the components in the higher risk group P1, the customer is flexible in the design of his end products, as he no longer has to pay attention to whether the components manufactured by A. u. K. Müller have a water-contact content of less than 10%.

Furthermore, under System 1+, assembled products/component groups can be certified in addition to materials and components.

By confirming the conformity of the complete valve from A. u. K. Müller, the certification process for the customer's end product is simplified. All information on the product has already been deposited with the certifier and checked. This eliminates the effort of providing the necessary information to the testing and certification institutes and speeds up the certification process of the final product.

Test certificates according to KTW guideline lose their validity

With the entry into force of the KTW-BWGL, test certificates issued in accordance with the KTW Guideline, the Coating Guideline and the Lubricants Guideline will lose their validity from 21 March 2021.

Interim regulation due to COVID-19 until 03/21/2023

According to information from the UBA, initial inspections and third-party monitoring by the certifiers have been limited up to now due to the restrictions imposed to contain the COVID 19 pandemic.[2] This currently causes delays in the certification process beyond the end of the transition period. Existing certificates according to the KTW Guideline will not be extended.  However, the certification bodies can still use test reports for test specimens that were not taken by the certification body for evaluation purposes until 21 March 2023 for attestation confirmations in accordance with the recommendation of the German Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt/UBA). This makes it possible that test reports based on the withdrawn guidelines can be used for the assessment until 03/21/2021. You can find more information on the interim regulation here.

A. u. K. Müller has applied separately for these transitional certificates or "Corona certificates" at a notified body. These will then be transferred to system 1+ by the 21. March 2023. If we do not have the conformity confirmations by the deadline in March, we can provide you with a confirmation of the application for attestation confirmation from our certifier. This confirmation can be used as proof of conformity in accordance with the extended transitional regulation until 21.03.2023.

Do you have questions or need a special certificate? Your contact person in our technical sales department will be happy to assist you.

Attestation of conformity according to UBA recommendation / 1+ procedure

The proof of compliance with the requirement for hygienic suitability according to §17 TrinkwV can be done in 2 ways. By means of a confirmation of conformity on the basis of a simplified procedure or on the basis of the 1+ system. The manufacturer can also provide a self-declaration of conformity, but this is not taken into account in the recommendation of the German Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA).

The 1+ system places the highest demands on every manufacturer, as it involves comprehensive audits by an independent certification body.  The 1+ system includes the initial inspection of the factory and taking of the test samples, the subsequent type testing, the factory production control (self-monitoring) and the annual monitoring test (external monitoring).

[1] Refer to „Bewertungsgrundlage für Kunststoffe und andere organische Materialien im Kontakt mit Trinkwasser1,2 (KTW-BWGL) Allgemeiner Teil, Einleitung“, p.8 https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/1/dokumente/20200407_ktw-bwgl_1._aenderung_en.pdf 

[2] Cf. Document „Übergang von UBA-Leitlinien zur Bewertungsgrundlage für Kunststoffe und andere organische Materialien im Kontakt mit Trinkwasser (Übergangsregelung KTW-BWGL)“, p.4 https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/5620/dokumente/uebergangsregelung_ktw-bwgl_3._aenderung_de255_0.pdf

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