Exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters

The Committee has adopted the report on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the exploitation and marketing of natural waters. The Commission's proposal to amend the Directive consists of improvements and additions to and clarifications of the existing body of rules which have been made since 80, not least with regard to the law on food products. They essentially focus on three main topics : - The extent of and the procedure for the treatment of natural mineral water (art. 4(1a) - Laying down the limits for the levels of constituents of natural mineral waters so that it can be proved that they are in their original state, along with methods of analysis and sampling (art.12/11) - Laying down limits for the levels of natural constituents in accordance with the procedure laid down in art.12/11. In general terms, rapporteur welcomed the Commission proposal. But he regarded a number of further classifications and/or additions as essential as far as the use of ozone, the incorporation of spring water in the directive and bottle volumes are concerned. The rapporteur saw, against his wishes, a number of Green and PES amendments adopted and could, therefore, non longer support his own report.