AS/NZS 4020:2018 Testing of products for use in contact with drinking water
Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand
Supersedes: AS/NZS 4020:2005 Testing of products for use in contact with drinking water
Draft Designation: DR AS/NZS 4020:2017The objective of this Standard is to specify requirements for the suitability of products for use in contact with drinking water, with regard to their effect on the quality of water.
In preparing this Standard, consideration has been given to comparable overseas Standards, to minimize duplication of effort and to maintain commonality, wherever reasonable, with those Standards. Particular consideration has been given to the various parts of BS 6920, Suitability of non-metallic products for use in contact with water intended for human consumption with regard to their effect on the quality of the water. Several of the test procedures and criteria given in BS 6920 have been adopted or modified for Australian and New Zealand requirements.
This Standard departs from BS 6920 as follows:
(a) This Standard provides a method of testing for the leaching of compounds for elastomeric materials that may produce a mutagenic effect.
(b) The requirement for products to be tested at surface area-to-volume ratios that are not less than those in the intended end-use exposure (with the exception of the test for growth of aquatic micro-organisms). Where there is a difference between test and end-use exposures, provision is made for a scaling factor to be applied to the test result.
(c) The inclusion of testing for metals extracted from metal products that are often components of products in contact with drinking water.
Significant changes from the previous edition include the following:
(i) The inclusion of guidance on retesting requirements when there is a change in formulation of products not listed on the Watermark Scheme of Products.
(ii) The inclusion of informative guidelines for applying and interpreting AS/NZS 4020.
(iii) A revision of Table 1 to more clearly define the different types of products to be tested.
(iv) The allowance of reduced testing for very small area to volume metal and inorganic products.
(v) A reduction in the range of products required to be tested for a mutagenic effect.
(vi) The inclusion of a test for leachable organic compounds.
The terms ‘normative’ and ‘informative’ have been used in this Standard to define the application of the appendices to which they apply. A ‘normative’ appendix is an integral part of a Standard, whereas an ‘informative’ appendix is for information and guidance only.
Statements expressed in mandatory terms in Notes to Figures and Tables are deemed to be requirements of this Standard.
Originated as AS 3855(Int)-1991. Previous edition AS/NZS 4020:2005.
Guidelines for drinking water quality in Australia have been prepared by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). In New Zealand, drinking water quality is subject to the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand prepared by the Ministry of Health. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) and Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand (DWSNZ) cover a range of physical, chemical, microbiological and radiological characteristics relevant to the health and aesthetic concerns of consumers, and recommended values for those characteristics.
One of the important factors influencing the quality of water supplied to consumers is the effect of the various materials that come into contact with the water as it passes through the system. The potential effect becomes more critical as the size of the system decreases from water supply to reticulation to plumbing systems, and the residence time in contact with these systems increases. This Standard provides a means to test such materials in order that the achievement of the appropriate national recommended water quality values is not jeopardized. The Standard prescribes methods of testing and conformance limits for the effects of a product on the taste and appearance of water, the ability of a product to support the growth of aquatic micro-organisms and the quantity of toxic metals and non-metallic substances leached from the product when exposed to the test water. In addition, the Standard prescribes extraction procedures for products in contact with hot water and in end-of-line situations. The hot water tests apply where water has the potential for human consumption, food preparation, utensil washing and oral hygiene.
Not all of the physical and chemical characteristics listed in the NHMRC/ARMCANZ guidelines and the DWSNZ are specifically referred to in this Standard. For those characteristics not listed, it is envisaged that the methods of testing given in this Standard and the recommended values given by NHMRC/ARMCANZ or the DWSNZ will be sufficient and readily adapted by the responsible authority.
The dominant principle of this Standard is to allow water quality requirements, as adopted by the particular authority responsible for water supply quality, to be met at consumers’ taps by specifying a range of tests. Besides the effects of materials, this quality will depend on other factors, including commissioning and operational procedures such as flushing of mains, which are the responsibility of the local water agency.
This Standard is published for use by manufacturers, water agencies and regulators in Australia and New Zealand to allow for the selection of materials exposed to drinking water, and as a basis for identifying the performance that can be expected by purchasers of products used in water supply systems.
It is intended that appropriate Australian and New Zealand Standards and other specifications will refer to this Standard if they specify requirements for the effects of a particular product on the quality of drinking water.
The Standard applies only to water quality at customer taps with respect to general health requirements for the consumer. It is not intended as either a long-term indication of the corrosion resistance of the material itself or any short-term effects due to highly localized and unpredictable conditions of water chemistry.
It is the understanding of the Committee that prepared this Standard that, in line with the intention of the ADWG and the DWSNZ, the only products that are required to satisfy the provisions of this Standard are products that are in contact with drinking water during service.
Contents:
Foreword
1: Scope
2: Referenced Documents
3: Definitions
4: Test Samples
5: Scaling Factors
6: Test Requirements
7: Hot Water Tests
Appendix A: Sample Preparation
Appendix B: Scaling Factors—Derivation And Application
Appendix C: Test Method—Taste
Appendix D: Test Method—Appearance
Appendix E: Test Method—Growth Of Aquatic Micro-Organisms
Appendix F Test Method—Cytotoxic Activity
Appendix G: Test Method—Mutagenic Activity
Appendix H: Test Method—Metals
Appendix I: Test Method—Extraction Procedures For End-Of-Line Fittings
Appendix J: High Temperature Tests
Appendix K: Test Method—Sample Extraction Procedure For Use With Water-Heating Systems
Appendix L: Product Submission Information
Appendix M: Simulated Samples
Appendix N: Test Report
Appendix O: Reverification Testing Due To Product Change(S) For Products That Are Not Listed On Watermark Schedule Of Products
Appendix P: General Testing Flow Diagram
Appendix Q: Taste Test Flow Diagram
Appendix R: Guidelines For Applying And Interpreting AS/NZS 4020
Materials in Contact with Drinking Water.
CH-034
Association of Accredited Certification Bodies; Australian Building Codes Board; Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Australian Industry Group; Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation; International Copper Association Australia; Ministry of Health, New Zealand; Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia; Plastics New Zealand; Plumbing Products Industry Group; Water Services Association of Australia.
