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(FAQ2) What claims can I make about my approved products?

Introduction

Approval holders frequently ask what claims can be made about the status of their approved product and/or can they use the DWI logo on their advertising literature.  The following advice applies to England and Wales; guidance for Scotland and Northern Ireland can be obtained from the appropriate Authorities.

Who gives approval?

Approval letters issued by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) make it clear that approval is given by the Secretary of State. The DWI advises the Secretary of State on approval issues.

The Inspectorate does not approve products and approval holders should not refer to “DWI approval”.

The DWI logo is protected by Crown copyright and may not be reproduced. Therefore the use the DWI logo in advertising material and on products is NOT permitted. The Inspectorate is aware of a number of instances of misleading claims and unauthorised use of its logo. A number of approval holders have been asked to take immediate action to withdraw advertising material referring to DWI approval.

What can approval holders claim?

In England acceptable claims include “approved by the Secretary of State”, “approved under Regulation 31 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016”, or “approved for use in public water supplies”. Approval holders may also refer to the inclusion of their product in the “List of Approved Products for use in Public Water Supply in the United Kingdom”. Approval holders may also wish to refer potential purchasers to the location of the list on the Inspectorate’s website – Approved & Considered Products – Drinking Water Inspectorate (dwi.gov.uk).

Approval under Regulation 31 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended)

Categories of products for which approval under Regulation 31 is given in England and Wales are :

  • products considered and approved under Regulation 31(4)(a)
  • products previously approved under Regulation 25(1)(a) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 and listed in the December 2003 List of Approved Products and Processes and not subsequently removed from the current version of this list.

Acceptable claims for these products include :

  • approved by the national authorities (or appropriate specific national authority)
  • approved under Regulation 31 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended)
  • approved for use in public water supplies
  • listed in the “List of Approved Products and Processes for use in Public Water Supply” published by the DWI Approved & Considered Products – Drinking Water Inspectorate (dwi.gov.uk)

NOTE – you are reminded that you should not claim approval by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI); you are not permitted to use the DWI logo in any of your literature, press releases, other advertising copy, or on your product label.

Approval letters

It is acceptable for you to photocopy and supply a copy of your approval letter in response to an enquiry from a prospective purchaser.

NOTE – DWI will not provide multiple copies of approval letters. Where prospective customers demand original documents as part of a tendering process, you should draw their attention to the DWI website and the list of approved products as verification of the continuing approval status of your product.

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