EN 12873 Impact of Materials on Water for Human Consumption - Impact of Migration

The European standard “EN 12873 Impact of materials on water intended for human consumption - Impact from migration” consists of the following sub-sections published under the same title:

• The standard “EN 12873-1 Part 1: Test method for factory-manufactured products made of or containing organic or vitreous (porcelain/vitreous enamel) materials” describes a method for determining the migration of substances from factory-manufactured or factory-applied products intended for use in contact with water for human consumption. Materials used in the manufacture of such products include plastics, rubber, and vitreous (porcelain/vitreous enamel) materials.

This standard applies to products designed for use under various conditions for the transport and storage of water intended for human consumption, including raw water used for the production of water for human consumption. This standard also covers the extraction of substances from finished products using water.

In principle, each test sample undergoes a specific pre-treatment process: stagnation and pre-washing. The surface of the test sample, which is to be exposed to water intended for human consumption, is brought into contact with the test water for at least three consecutive migration periods. The migration period is one of the following:

• For products intended to come into contact with cold water, 23 hours at 2 degrees plus/minus 72 degrees.
• For products intended to be in contact with lukewarm or hot water, soak at 60 degrees plus/minus 2 degrees (lukewarm water test) or 85 degrees plus/minus 2 degrees (hot water test) for 24 hours.

Migration rates for the first three migration cycles are determined by analyzing the necessary substances in the relevant migration waters. The number of consecutive migration cycles to be carried out can be specified by referring to product standards or national regulatory authorities.

The test is conducted under conditions that facilitate the calculation of a reliable migration rate. These conditions are not designed to simulate real-world use cases. The correlation of results from this standard to real-world use cases is achieved using a conversion procedure.

The choice of test water type (chlorinated or unchlorinated), test water temperature, and the number of additional migration periods is specified in product standards or national regulations. If testing in hot or lukewarm water is required, national regulations may require additional cold water testing.

• The standard “EN 12873-2 Part 2: Test method for nonmetallic and cement-free in-situ applied materials” describes a method for determining the migration of material from nonmetallic and cement-free in-situ applied materials intended for contact with water for human consumption.

This method applies to in-situ applied materials designed for use under various conditions for the transport and storage of water for human consumption. This includes raw water used in the production of water for human consumption. This standard covers the extraction of substances from water after in-situ application of these materials.

This standard applies to materials whose physical or chemical properties change during or after in-situ application, such as coatings, paints, and adhesives. It also includes some in-situ applied materials that do not change in this way, such as greases or lubricants.

In principle, each test sample is taken or prepared on-site under conditions similar to field application, taking into account the manufacturer's written instructions. Each sample undergoes a specific pretreatment process: stagnation and pre-washing. The surface of the test sample exposed to water intended for human consumption is brought into contact with the test water for at least three consecutive migration periods. The migration periods are as follows:

• For products intended to come into contact with cold water, 23 hours at 2 degrees plus/minus 72 degrees.
• For products intended to come into contact with lukewarm or hot water, maintain a temperature of 60 degrees plus/minus 2 degrees (lukewarm water test) or 85 degrees plus/minus 2 degrees (hot water test) for 24 hours.

Migration rates for the first three migration cycles are determined by analyzing the required substances in the respective migration waters. Relevant product standards or national regulatory authorities may specify the number of consecutive migration cycles to be carried out.

The test is performed under specified conditions to facilitate the calculation of a reliable migration rate. These conditions are not intended to simulate any real-world use cases. The correlation of the results obtained from this standard with real-world use cases is achieved using a conversion procedure. This procedure is specified in product standards or national regulations.

The choice of test water type (chlorinated or unchlorinated), test water temperature, and the number of additional migration periods is specified in product standards or national regulations. If testing in hot or warm water is required, national regulations may require additional cold water testing.

• The standard “EN 12873-3 Part 3: Test method for ion exchange and adsorbent resins” describes a method for determining the migration of matter from ion exchange, adsorbent, or hybrid resin materials used in contact with water intended for human consumption. Resins consist of synthetic organic macromolecular materials.

This standard applies to the following types of resins:

• Ion exchange resins: Used to alter the composition of water (e.g., softening by removing calcium ions). They can be anionic or cationic.
• Adsorbent resins: Used to reduce the concentration of unwanted substances (usually organic pollutants) in water. They are used in a neutral state.
• Hybrid adsorbents: An organic polymer-based ion exchange resin or an inorganic (e.g., iron hydroxide) or a second organic phase integrated into the adsorbent resin. They are used to reduce the concentration of unwanted substances (specific inorganic or organic pollutants) in water. They can be anionic, cationic, or neutral.

In principle, if necessary, at the beginning of the test, the test sample is subjected to pre-treatment procedures according to the manufacturer's instructions. The test sample is brought into contact with test water during a static/dynamic process performed at 23 degrees plus/minus 2 degrees. After contact with the resin, samples of the test water are collected for analysis.

• The standard “EN 12873-4 Part 4: Test method for water treatment membranes” describes a test method for evaluating the potential adverse effects of water treatment membrane elements and modules on drinking water quality in a laboratory setting.

This method is essentially applicable to microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and electrodialysis modules used in public water networks and for purifying water inside buildings.

These types of devices can vary significantly in design and operation, and therefore some modifications to the procedures may be necessary. Evaluation of the membrane filter's efficiency in removing contaminants from treated water is not included.

In principle, water of the specified quality is passed through a membrane element or module under specified operating conditions that represent real-world usage conditions as closely as possible. The process involves several steps, including washing, reversible and non-reversible operation, and cleaning or disinfection; disinfection depends on the manufacturer's recommendations. The purpose of the reversibility stage is to concentrate potential contaminants migrating from the test sample. Analytical samples of the concentrates and single-pass migrating waters are taken for analysis.

The operating test temperature is maintained at the highest temperature approved by the manufacturer. If no recommended temperature is available, this temperature is 20 degrees plus/minus 5 degrees. A schematic diagram of the test protocol is included in the standard appendix (Appendix A).

Membrane technology can vary in design and operation, and therefore, the described procedures, such as operating conditions and cleaning, may need to be modified in some cases.

• The standard “EN 12873-5 Part 5: Guidelines for testing methods for assembled products” provides guidance on establishing a test method for evaluating, in a laboratory setting, the potential adverse effects of assembled products on drinking water quality.

In principle, this applies to assembled products of various sizes that are not included in the standards in this series or the series of metallic test rigs used in public water supply and in-building water treatment. Evaluation of the assembled product's efficiency is not included.

This method is not suitable for evaluating the enhancement of microbial growth carried out on building materials.

Meanwhile, this standard has not yet been published; it is still under development.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services in accordance with the EN 12873 standard.