Microbiological Materials and Hygiene Testing
Head of Department
Paula Mühlnickel, M. Sc.
Administrative Office
Teamassistenz
Testing for Suitability for Drinking Water Contact
Die Qualität von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch wird in Europa
über die Richtlinie EU 2020/2184 geregelt, auf nationaler Ebene in Deutschland
über die Trinkwasserverordnung (TrinkwV). Darin werden nicht nur Anforderungen
an das Trinkwasser selbst, sondern auch an die Werkstoffe und Materialien
gestellt, die bei der Gewinnung, Weiterleitung und Speicherung mit Trinkwasser
in Kontakt kommen.
§ 14 TrinkwV regelt dies konkret und fordert, dass die verwendeten Materialien und Produkte:
- not adversely affect human health
- not cause any detrimental changes to the odor or taste of drinking water
- not support or encourage the proliferation of microorganisms
- möglichst keine Stoffe ins Trinkwasser abgeben.
Die Überprüfung, dass ein Produkt diesen Anforderungen entspricht erfolgt gemäß den Vorgaben der Bewertungsgrundlagen und Leitlinien des Umweltbundesamtes sowie entsprechender DVGW-Arbeitsblätter. Dabei werden sowohl
- testing with regard to the promotion of microbial growth on materials and products in accordance with DVGW Technical Worksheet W 270 or DIN EN 16421, as well as
- Migration testing is performed, with subsequent analysis of the defined parameters in the resulting contact water samples.
Further information on migration testing is available here.
Test Laboratory Supporting Certification Bodies
The Hygiene Institute of the Ruhr Area is a recognized laboratory accredited in accordance with DIN EN ISO 17025:2018 for drinking water hygiene testing. This confirms our competence in testing materials and products used in water supply systems with regard to their hygienic suitability. The test reports and test certificates prepared on the basis of evaluation criteria, guidelines, and DVGW worksheets are accepted by certification bodies such as HyCert.
Further information on the cross-sectional topic of certification and our certification body HyCert can be found here.
Our Services
We competently carry out drinking water hygiene suitability tests on non-metallic materials. Our range of services includes the testing of organic materials and materials containing organic components. These include plastics of all kinds, elastomers, silicones, coatings, and cement-bound materials.
Materials for use in the drinking water sector
- Testing in accordance with DIN EN 16421 (KTW-BWGL)
- Testing in accordance with DVGW Worksheet W 270
In addition, our department offers further microbiological material testing and hygiene testing, as well as consulting and training services. The standards and technical regulations listed below form the basis of our testing.
Microbiological material testing
Antimicrobial properties / metabolizability
- Testing in accordance with ISO 22196 / JIS Z 2801 / ASTM E2180
- Testing in accordance with DIN EN ISO 846
Testing of chemical disinfection procedures
- Testing in accordance with DIN EN (quantitative suspension tests)
Microbiological testing of raw materials, intermediate and finished products
- Testing for microbiological quality (Ph. Eur. / USP)
- Testing for adequate preservation
Further microbiological investigations
- Testing of cleaning and disinfection measures
- Testing of containers made of soda-lime glass
- Testing of domestic water filtration systems (DIN EN 17093, DVGW Worksheet W 516)
- Analysis of environmental samples (e.g. sewage sludge, compost, playground sand)
- Development of product-specific test setups (e.g. for point-of-use water filters)
Do you have specific questions? Feel free to contact us!