1. Member State Implementation of EU Directive 2009/54/EC on Natural Mineral Waters in a Member State – Experiences of a EU Member State Ilona Drulyte National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute Lithuania

2. EU legislation Directive 2009/54/EC on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters Directive 2003/40/ЕС establishing the list, concentration limits and labelling requirements for the constituents of natural mineral waters and the conditions for using ozone-enriched air for the treatment of natural mineral waters and spring waters Regulation (EC) No.115/2010 laying down the conditions for use of activated alumina for the removal of fluoride from natural mineral waters and spring waters

3. 3 Legislation in LTU Basic legislation adopted by the Minister of Health: Lithuanian Hygiene Norm HN 28:2003 „Requirements for exploitation and marketing of natural mineral water and spring water“ – transposing EU Directives Rules of recognition of natural mineral water in Lithuania – defines procedure of the recognition Implementation of EU requirements on NMW started on 1999

4. 4 Relevant legislation Food Law - official control delegated to State Food and Veterinary Service Law on Public Health Surveillance – State Public Health Service under the Ministry of Health nominated to be responsible for the official recognition

5. 5 Government Ministry of Health State Food and Veterinary Service (SFVS) Ministry of Environment Radiation Protection Centre State Public Health Service Lithuanian Geological Survey 10 Regional Public Health Centres 53 Regional offices of the SFVS National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute

6. 6 Responsibilities of the main institutions of the LTU involved in implementation of Directives on NMW Ministry of Health – legislation State Public Health Service – recognition of natural mineral water State Food and Veterinary Service – approval of food business establishment, official control: production, import, market National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute – laboratory analysis, risk assessment Lithuanian Geological Survey – groundwater resources and monitoring

7. 7 Biggest challenges entering EU legislation on NMW in LTU No min or max limit for content of mineral salts Restrictions for treatment NMW from one source can not be sold under different names Spring water can be tapped from bore exit (not only from natural) Labelling and advertising of NMW

8. 8 Steps to start production of natural mineral water / spring water 1. Official recognition (SPHS) 2. License to extract groundwater resources (LGS) 3. Approval of food business establishment and following control of production and market (SFVS) 4. Self control (food business operator): Food safety: based on HACCP principles (national GMP guide available) Ground water monitoring

9. 9 Thank you for attention! idrulyte@vet.lt