Exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters

OBJECTIVE: to amend and rationalize Directive 80/777/EEC concerning the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Directive 96/70/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 80/777/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters. SUBSTANCE: the principal changes introduced by the Directive concern the following points: - the separation of undesirable constituents from certain natural mineral waters by treatment with ozone-enriched air; - in the interests of consumer information, the requirement to include a statement of the analytical composition of natural mineral waters on the labelling; - extension of the period of recognition for natural mineral waters originating from third countries in order to simplify the administrative procedures: this period may not exceed five years; - extension of the scope of the Directive to waters bottled as 'spring water'; - introduction of a safeguard clause permitting rapid decisions by the Member States in cases of contamination of natural mineral waters. Member States should amend their legislation so as to: - permit trade in products complying with the Directive by not later than 28 October 1997; - prohibit trade in products not complying with the Directive with effect from 28 October 1998. DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE: 13 December 1996. �