ECHA: launch of the Industry Portal to notify substances coming into contact with drinking water

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched a new online tool, the ECHA Industry Portal, on 05/01/2026, to enable manufacturers to notify their plans regarding the substances involved in their processes and products they wish to keep, add or remove from the four European Positive Lists (organic substances; metallic substances ; cementitious substances ; and enamel, ceramic or other inorganic materials).

The Drinking Water Directive, which entered into force in 2024, aims to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of contaminated drinking water and to improve access to drinking water. This directive requires that starting substances, compositions or constituents used in manufacturing materials that come into contact with drinking water, from the water source to the tap, are listed in one of these four European Positive Lists. Additions, renewals and removals of starting substances, compositions or constituents in the European Positive Lists require an application to be submitted to ECHA, which will assess it.

Prior to the application phase, which will start…