Section 1: Scope, definition, characteristics

This chapter applies to the exploitation of natural mineral waters for : 1° Packaging the water or importing it in packaged form; 2° The use of water and its derived products for therapeutic purposes in a spa establishment; 3° The distribution of water in public refreshment areas, outside the context of a spa treatment.

Natural mineral water is microbiologically sound water that meets the conditions laid down in article R. 1322-3, originating from an underground water table or deposit exploited from one or more natural or drilled outlets constituting the source. It shows, within the framework of known natural fluctuations, a stability of its essential characteristics, in particular its composition and its temperature at emergence, which is not affected by the flow rate of…

Natural mineral water must not contain a number or concentration of micro-organisms, parasites or any other substance constituting a danger to public health. It must also meet microbiological and physico-chemical quality criteria defined by order of the Minister for Health and, in the case of packaged water, by joint order of the Ministers for Consumer Affairs and Health. The physico-chemical constituents subject to a regulatory concentration limit are naturally present…

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