New Drinking Water Directive: How Autor’s Macro Chip-Breaking Technology Enables Lead-Free Production.
Starting in 2027, strict new limits on lead leaching will drastically reduce the materials eligible under the EU Positive List (EUPL). This article summarizes the key legislative changes and, importantly, demonstrates how Autor’s innovative Macro Chip-Breaking technology offers a solution for lead-free production without sacrificing efficiency or quality.
The Changing Landscape of Lead in Drinking Water Systems:
The DWD, updated in 2020, establishes a new maximum lead release limit of 5 μg/l at the point of delivery by 2036. Several new delegated acts (Decision 2024/367, Regulation 2024/370, etc.) clarify testing methodologies and define approved substances. Key deadlines include:
- 2026: Only materials listed in the EUPL may be used for applications involving drinking water.
- 2027: In Germany, a more restrictive national regulation will come into force, significantly limiting the use of certain materials. (Other countries may adopt similarly strict national regulations.)
- 2032: The DWD’s new lead limits will apply fully across the EU unless a nation implements stricter national standards.
This shift poses challenges, especially regarding existing inventories and the need to transition to new lead-free materials.
New challenges:
Transitioning to lead-free production presents several challenges:
- Inventory Management: Companies need strategies to handle existing lead-containing materials given the approaching deadlines.
- Material Procurement: Identifying and sourcing compliant lead-free materials requires careful planning.
- Production Processes: Existing processes may need adjustments to accommodate new materials and meet stricter standards.
The Autor Solution: Macro Chip-Breaking Technology
- Lead-Free Machining: Macro Chip-Breaking enables efficient and high-quality machining of lead-free brass alloys listed in the EUPL (e.g., CW509L, CW510L, CW724R).
- Multi-Axis Control: Autor machines utilize simultaneous 21-axis control, allowing for complex chip control strategies. This is crucial when using Macro Chip-Breaking to precisely manage chip formation and breaking.
- Surface Finish: Despite the chip-breaking strategy, the resulting surface finish maintains a good level of roughness. This optimizes roughing operations and minimizes the need for additional finishing.
- Efficiency: Autor’s optimized methods ensure no overall increase in production time for the same operations.
Challenges and new opportunities
The updated DWD regulations necessitate a transition to lead-free materials in drinking water applications. This creates both challenges and opportunities for manufacturers. Autor’s Macro Chip-Breaking technology enables efficient, lead-free machining of compliant materials, ensuring companies meet regulatory requirements without compromising production quality or efficiency.
Contact us to learn how our solution can help you successfully navigate this transition.