Chapter I: Drinking water

Spring water is underground water that is microbiologically sound and protected against the risks of pollution. On emergence and during marketing, it respects or satisfies the quality limits or references, relating to microbiological and physico-chemical parameters, defined by order of the ministers responsible for consumption and health. However, when unstable elements or undesirable constituents must be separated from spring water using treatment authorised for this water in accordance with article…

Spring water may only undergo treatments or additions determined by order of the ministers responsible for consumption and health. This order lays down the technical conditions of use and, where applicable, the deadlines for applying the various types of authorised treatment, as well as the procedure for requesting the use of new types of treatment.

Where the labelling of a soft drink indicates that it is made from spring water, the spring water must comply with the provisions of this chapter.

Packaged spring waters are held for sale, offered for sale, sold or distributed free of charge under one of the following names: 1° “Spring water” ; 2° “Spring water with added carbon dioxide”, which refers to spring water effervesced by the addition of carbon dioxide.