I. DEFINITION

‘Natural mineral water’ means microbiologically wholesome water, within the meaning of Article 5, originating in an underground water table or deposit and emerging from a spring tapped at one or more natural or bore exits. Natural mineral water can be clearly distinguished from ordinary drinking water: by its nature, which is characterised by its mineral content, trace elements or other constituents and, where appropriate, by certain effects; by its original purity, both characteristics having been preserved intact because of the underground origin of such water, which has been protected from all risk of pollution. The characteristics referred to in point 1, which may give natural mineral water properties favourable to health, shall have been assessed: from the following points of view: geological and hydrological; physical, chemical and physico-chemical; microbiological; if necessary, pharmacological, physiological and clinical; according to the criteria listed in Section II; according to scientific methods approved by the responsible authority. The analyses referred to in point (a)(iv) of the first subparagraph may be optional where the water presents the compositional characteristics on the strength of which it was considered a natural mineral water in the Member State of origin prior to 17 July 1980. This is the case in particular when the water in question contains, per kg, both at source and after bottling, a minimum of 1000 mg of total solids in solution or a minimum of 250 mg of free carbon dioxide. The composition, temperature and other essential characteristics of natural mineral water shall remain stable within the limits of natural fluctuation; in particular, they shall not be affected by possible variations in the rate of flow. Within the meaning of Article 5(1), the normal viable colony count of natural mineral water means the reasonably constant total colony count at source before any treatment, the qualitative and quantitative composition of which, as taken into account in the recognition of that water, is checked by periodic analysis.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-10 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.