Effective January 2, 2025, new guidelines for the use of mineral and table drinking waters come into force, regulated by Resolution No. 193 of the National Mining Agency (ANM). Published at the end of December 2024, the regulation consolidates and updates technical specifications that cover everything from the extraction to the bottling and distribution of these waters.
The measure aims to debureaucratize and simplify the understanding of the rights and duties of businesses operating in the sector, promoting greater clarity on the technical requirements and best practices needed to ensure the quality and safety of the final product.
What Changes for Companies in the Sector?
With the new regulation, companies will have to meet rigorous criteria, such as the use of specific materials in equipment and packaging that come into contact with the water, in addition to detailed procedures for hygiene and microbiological monitoring.
Rules have also been established regarding the construction and maintenance of extraction and bottling systems, which now require food-grade materials and automated processes.
Furthermore, the text reinforces the mandatory nature of frequent water quality analyses and compliance with safety and hygiene standards. Any non-compliance with the guidelines may result in sanctions including fines, closures, and seizure of stock.
By establishing clearer and more demanding standards for the sector, the new resolution seeks to ensure the quality and safety of the water consumed by the population, whether in bottles, in public fountains, or used in spas. The initiative reinforces consumer confidence by prioritizing practices that guarantee the purity and preservation of the natural properties of the water.
Adaptation and Oversight
The ANM warns that companies need to adapt to the new rules immediately to avoid penalties. For entrepreneurs, adaptation is challenging but necessary to maintain competitiveness and compliance in the market. On the other hand, the regulatory body promises to intensify oversight to ensure full compliance with the regulations.
