Water | Drinking Water | Water Supply Technical units 4.2.1 and 4.2.2 at a glance

In January 2025, the subject area ‘Water | Drinking Water | Water Supply’ was divided into two independent technical units (4.2.1 and 4.2.2) for organisational reasons. The two technical units are closely linked, but they process the procedures assigned to them independently. The division has no disadvantages for the accredited bodies in this area. They remain assigned to a technical unit and a contact person.

Focus of the technical unit

Both technical units cover a wide range of accreditation-related activities that deal with the characterisation, use, and protection of water as a basis of life.
The activities cover a broad spectrum of the most diverse types of water, for example:

Drinking water
Wastewater
Groundwater
Surface water
Process water
Industrial water
Mineral and table water
Swimming and bathing pool water
Bathing water
High purity water
Water from dental units
Healing water
Drinking water

The two technical units carry out accreditations of conformity assessment activities, among other things, based on legally defined requirements, but not only. The legal requirements are essentially defined by the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) and the 42nd Ordinance for the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act (42. BImSchV).

Testing laboratories are accredited in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, and inspection bodies in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020. It is also possible to accredit suitability testing providers in conformity with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043 and reference material manufacturers in line with DIN EN ISO 17034.

Accreditations enable the conformity assessment bodies to obtain the necessary authorisation from the responsible state authorities for the investigative activities in certain areas.