The global sustainability goals
and the effects on the handling of lead
The global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were defined by the United Nations in 2015 as a framework for promoting sustainable development by 2030. These 17 goals cover topics such as health (SDG 3), clean water (SDG 6) and sustainable production (SDG 12). Dealing with harmful substances such as lead is crucial to achieving these goals, as lead has serious health impacts.
In response to the SDGs, the European Union has developed specific regulations, including the REACH Regulation and the EU Drinking Water Directive. The REACH Regulation aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment from chemicals. The EU Drinking Water Directive sets strict limits for pollutants in drinking water, including lead, to protect public health.
REACH Regulation
Brass and lead in industry from 2036
The EU is currently discussing whether lead should be included in Annex 14 of the REACH Regulation , which would result in a ban on lead from 2028. This poses considerable challenges for companies in the EU. This affects both manufacturing companies and companies that import into the EU.
Drinking Water Ordinance
Water management and industry from 2028
The new Drinking Water Ordinance, which transposes the European Drinking Water Directive into German law, poses considerable challenges for distributors of products that come into contact with drinking water. With the reduction of the lead limit from 10 to 5 micrograms per litre, which must be complied with by 12 January 2028 at the latest, the pressure on manufacturers and suppliers of these products is increasing considerably.
Global goals of the United Nations
The 17 goals of the UN Charter
The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were developed to tackle pressing global issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change and environmental degradation by 2030.
Many of the SDGs, particularly those focussing on climate action, sustainable energy, clean water and sustainable cities, form the basis for the EU Green Deal.
Europes Green Deal
The EU Green Deal is a comprehensive political initiative of the European Union that was presented by the European Commission in December 2019. The aim of the EU Green Deal is to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 while promoting economic growth. The aim is to minimise the negative impact on the environment and increase resource efficiency
Among other things, the Green Deal promotes a circular economy that aims to reduce waste, promote reuse and recycling and improve the sustainability of products throughout their life cycle.
The REACH regulation is an integral part of these efforts by ensuring that chemical substances are used safely and their negative impact on the environment is minimised.
REACH Regulation
A building block for implementing the Green Deal
One building block for implementing the Green Deal is the REACH chemicals regulation, which was created many years ago, and the Drinking Water Directive (DWD), which runs in parallel.
The REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is an EU chemicals regulation that came into force on 1 June 2007. It aims to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment by regulating the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals. Companies that manufacture or import chemicals are obliged to assess the risks associated with their use and to take measures to control these risks.
REACH and Drinking Water Ordninance
The REACH regulation is linked to the 19 goals of the UN Charter, as it pursues ecological tasks and goals in addition to economic aspects, which play a key role in the corporate function with regard to the UN Charter. This is reflected in the increasing importance of ecological responsibility and sustainable practices in companies.
With regard to the Drinking Water Directive, the EU drinking water directive, there is also a link to the REACH regulation. The Drinking Water Directive sets quality standards for drinking water in order to protect public health. The REACH Regulation contributes to this by regulating the use of hazardous substances in production and thus indirectly influencing the quality of drinking water .
The German Drinking Water Ordinance is the transposition of the European Drinking Water Directive into national law. The latest amendment to the Drinking Water Ordinance entails a further reduction in the amount of lead released from components that come into contact with drinking water. This parameter must be complied with at the tap by 12 January 2028 at the latest - this means that from 31 December 2026, only products made of a material on the ECHA list will be placed on the market. From 12.01.2028, only products that fulfil the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance may be installed in German drinking water installations.
REACH Regulation
Brass and lead in industry from 2036
- EU discusses inclusion of lead in Annex 14 of the REACH Regulation
- Possible consequence: Lead ban from 2028
- Affected parties: Companies in the EU
- Result: Significant challenges for these companies
Drinking Water Ordinance
Water management and industry from 2028
- New Drinking Water Ordinance transposes EU Drinking Water Directive into German law
- Affected parties: Distributors of products that come into contact with drinking water
- Reduction of the lead limit value: from 10 to 5 micrograms per litre
- Compliance required by 12 January 2028 at the latest
- Increasing pressure on manufacturers and suppliers of these products
- Significant challenges for the companies concerned