Terry Leyden
Question:143 Mr. Leyden asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the conditions required to comply with Irish and EC standards to allow for the sale and distribution of bottled Irish spring water.
Written Answers. - Bottled Water Standards.
Terry Leyden
Question:144 Mr. Leyden asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of the standard required for the sale and distribution of bottled Irish spring water under Irish and EC requirements.
I propose to take Question Nos. 143 and 144 together.
EEC Directive 80/778 as transposed into Irish law by European Communities (Quality of water intended for human consumption) Regulations, 1988 (S.I. No. 81 of 1988) sets down the quality standards which must be met for water intended for human consumption. This Directive governs the quality standards for, inter alia, spring waters intended for bottling and is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment. It does not cover natural mineral waters. These are dealt with separately under EEC Directive 80/777 as transposed by the European Communities (Natural Mineral Waters) Regulations, 1986 (S.I. No. 11 of 1986) which is administered by my Department.
Bottled spring water which has been carbonated or flavoured is subject to the labelling requirements established by EEC Directive 79/112 and its amendments as transposed by the European Communities (Labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs) Regulations, 1982 to 1991 (S.I. No. 228 of 1991) and to EC Directive 89/396 as transposed by European Communities (Identification of foodstuff lot) Regulations, 1992 (S.I. No. 110 of 1992) which are administered by the Department of Health.
With my consent the Minister for Industry and Commerce will shortly be introducing a voluntary national standard for Irish bottled water which will, inter alia, cover bottled Irish spring water. In effect the standard will set out the conditions under which Irish bottled water may be exploited at source together with the quality criteria for such bottled water. The standard will also establish a system of regular monitoring and testing to be carried out by producers.