Authorisation for the disinfection of drinking water

Authorisation of biocidal products for the disinfection of drinking water in Switzerland

Article 2 (7) of the European Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) gives individual member states the option to ban or restrict the use of certain biocidal products/active substances for disinfecting drinking water at a national level.

In Switzerland, the FDHA Ordinance on Drinking Water and Water in Public Baths and Shower Facilities (DWBSO; SR 817.022.11) governs biocidal products and procedures that can be authorised for the disinfection of drinking water. The procedures and active substances that are admissible for the disinfection of drinking water in Switzerland are listed in Annex 4 List 2 or List 5 of the DWBSO. Consequently, not all biocidal active substances designated as product type 5 (drinking water disinfectants) in the BPR are admissible for the disinfection of drinking water in Switzerland.
 Biocidal active substances that are admissible for the desinfection of drinking water in Switzerland are marked with a "#" (for example: 5#) in the List of active substances published by the Notification Authority for Chemicals. (PDF, 3 MB, 31.05.2024)

Silver (CAS no. 7440-22-4) may not be used in Switzerland for primary disinfection of drinking water. However, it can be authorised for inhibiting microbial contamination
a) in domestic cold-water appliances or in tanks or containers (e.g. for emergency water supplies) and
b) in domestic hot-water installations to reduce legionella contamination in buildings with vulnerable people.

Sodium dichloroisocyanurate (CAS No. 2893-78-9) and sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate (CAS No. 51580-86-0) are only authorised for disinfecting emergency water supplies.

SR 817.022.11 FDHA Ordinance of 16 December 2016 on Drinking Water and Water in Public Baths and Shower Facilities (DWBSO) (admin.ch)

Last modification 24.01.2024

Top of page