Exclusive: EU countries will share laboratory capacity but UK rules mean products cannot be tested abroad

Summary

The UK’s tap water safety is at risk due to the closure of all domestic laboratories certified to test water treatment products under EU-derived Regulation 31.

Without certified labs, new products cannot be approved, and existing ones requiring retesting are becoming non-compliant.

Industry insiders blame Brexit, as EU countries will share lab capacity starting in 2026, while UK rules prohibit foreign testing.

This has created a backlog of products, limited market competition, and raised costs. While officials claim water remains safe, experts warn of delays in adopting innovative treatments.

  • ryathal@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    19 days ago

    Blaming the loss of domestic industry on brexit is just wrong. Not having a domestic lab is still bad without brexit, it’s just not headline worthy.

  • towerful@programming.devEnglish
    1·
    20 days ago

    Scottish tap water is a public/government company.
    They do a good job.
    Unfortunately, climate change is impacting the level of reservoirs & water ways (ie, going down), and Scottish people use more water than English people (like 30% more, a substantial amount).
    Hopefully Scottish water continues to be great, and continue to get the funding they need to do a good job

      • towerful@programming.devEnglish
        0·
        19 days ago

        Not just in Glasgow. Water is a flat rate covered by council tax across all of Scotland.
        It’s likely because we don’t pay for units used, and awareness of water conservation hasn’t happened/stuck.

        • FlorisJan@kbin.melroy.org
          2·
          19 days ago

          That’s what I was thinking. Well there’s always been plenty of water in Scotland afaik but if that’s going to change they’re probably going to start charging for it

  • Teknikal@eviltoast.orgEnglish
    0·
    20 days ago

    I’d say the stuff in Belfast tastes pretty terrible and I wouldn’t drink it, when I was a kid though it was better than now. I’m honestly not sure I’d risk my tap water even if I bought a filter.