The South African National Bottled Water Association ( SANBWA) was formed in 1997 as a standards setting and representative body for the industry.

It is a voluntary association of bottlers whose primary concern is the health, safety and pleasure of their consumers. They therefore willingly conform to the extremely stringent safety and quality measures contained in the SANBWA Guidelines and Standards, although the cost to them of such compliance is considerable. Their membership of SANBWA entitles them to carry the logo on their bottles, thereby assuring consumers that they are getting the best-produced bottled water in the country.
 

SANBWA recognised the need to include all classes of bottled water, not only natural bottled water, to represent the industry as a whole.

The SANBWA standard for prepared water is available from early 2008.

SANBWA now offers membership to bottlers of natural water, waters defined by origin and prepared water.

From this the need arised to change the name from South African Natural Bottled Water Association to South African National Bottled Water Association.

In January 2007 SANBWA obtained affiliation to the International Council for Bottled Water Associations through joining the European Federation for Bottled Water (EFBW).

For many years SANBWA has lobbied Department of Health to bring in legislation governing bottled water.

In 2006 final draft regulations were prepared and finally passed on 28 July 2006. The industry had been given one year implementation period.

R.718: Regulations Relating to all Bottled Waters became effective on 28 July 2007.