‘Brexit problem’: UK tap water safety at risk after testing labs shut down
‘Brexit problem’: UK tap water safety at risk after testing labs shut down
Exclusive: EU countries will share laboratory capacity but UK rules mean products cannot be tested abroad
Summary
The UK’s tap water safety is at risk due to the closure of all domestic laboratories certified to test water treatment products under EU-derived Regulation 31.
Without certified labs, new products cannot be approved, and existing ones requiring retesting are becoming non-compliant.
Industry insiders blame Brexit, as EU countries will share lab capacity starting in 2026, while UK rules prohibit foreign testing.
This has created a backlog of products, limited market competition, and raised costs. While officials claim water remains safe, experts warn of delays in adopting innovative treatments.
