Natural mineral water is classified as a food. So a range of acts of parliament ensure that South African food is produced to world class standards. They include Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972).

These however are not specifically aimed at bottled water, thus a new legislation had been passed in 2006 that sets standards of purity and safety for the water bottling industry specifically- R.718: Regulations Relating to all Bottled Waters, 28 July 2006..

SANBWA have studied international best practice and enhanced some of it for application at our member’s plants. We have compiled very stringent and exhaustive guidelines and standards for our members. These are standards which, incidentally, add quite a lot of expense to their start up and running costs. The fact that they willingly incur those costs demonstrates their commitment to consumer health and safety.

REGULATIONS RELATING TO ALL BOTTLED WATERS