Drinking water testing centres - Apply for approval
Drinking water tests required by the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV), including sampling, may only be carried out by authorised testing centres. With regard to the requirements for authorisation, the Drinking Water Ordinance of 23 June 2023 refers to the previously valid Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV a. F., § 15 para. 4).
Responsible authority
The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Rural Areas is responsible for the authorisation of
- Laboratories based in Baden-Württemberg or
- Laboratories based in another EU member state that wish to operate in Baden-Württemberg and are not yet authorised as a drinking water testing laboratory in another federal state.
In the case of several company locations, the decisive factor is not the location of the company, but the location of the laboratory.
Details
Prerequisite
- a valid accreditation as a testing laboratory with the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) or another national accreditation body within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No. 765/2008 as amended for the performance of the required test procedures, including sampling, for the testing of drinking water in accordance with the TrinkwV
- compliance with the requirements in accordance with Section 15 (1) to (2a) TrinkwV (old version)
- Proof of successful participation in external quality assurance programmes at least once a year
Procedure
The laboratory applies for authorisation informally, in writing or by e-mail, to the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Rural Areas.
Enclose the required documents with the application.
The Ministry checks the documents and decides on the authorisation. The laboratory receives a notification. If approval is granted, the laboratory will be included in the list of approved testing centres published on the Ministry's website with its address, testing area and link to the accreditation body's website.
Deadlines
none
Required documents
- Proof of valid accreditation as a testing laboratory for the analysis of drinking water, including sampling,
- Confirmation of successful participation in round robin tests:
for microbiological parameters, including legionella, at the Lower Saxony State Health Office, Aurich branch office,
for chemical parameters at AQS Baden-Württemberg or Hamburg or a cooperation partner or at the North Rhine-Westphalia State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection
The certificates must not be older than one year in each case. - when carrying out microbiological tests, confirmation of notification to the locally responsible regional council in accordance with Section 20 of the Federal Epidemics Act or Section 49 of the Protection against Infection Act and/or authorisation from the responsible regional council in accordance with Section 19 of the Federal Epidemics Act or Section 44 of the Protection against Infection Act.
Costs
Fees of EUR 350.00 to EUR 500.00 are charged in accordance with the Ordinance of the Ministry of Rural Areas on the Determination of Fee Rates for Public Services of State Authorities in its Area of Responsibility(Fee Ordinance MLR - GebVO-MLR) of 11 December 2018.
Processing time
two to four weeks
Miscellaneous
Once accreditation has been granted, the drinking water testing centre must inform the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Rural Areas of any changes to the accreditation immediately in writing or by email without being requested to do so.
In addition, the drinking water testing centre must submit confirmation to the Ministry by 31 December of each year that quality assurance has been successfully completed at least once a year by participating in round robin tests, also without being requested to do so.
For microbiological parameters, including legionella, the Ministry expects participation in the round robin tests of the Lower Saxony State Health Office, Aurich branch, for chemical parameters at the AQS Baden-Württemberg or Hamburg or a cooperation partner or at the State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection North Rhine-Westphalia.
Legal basis
Trinkwasserverordnung (TrinkwV):
- §40 Zugelassene Untersuchungsstellen
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Ministerium Ländlicher Raum Baden-Württemberg, 05.08.2025