Directive 96/70/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 80/777/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters.

Directive 80/777/EEC is amended and the main amendments regard: the validity of the certification referred which may not exceed a period of five years. However, it shall not be necessary to repeat the recognition procedure if the certification is renewed before the end of the said period. Article 4 regards the treatment prohibited for natural mineral water in its state at source and new provisions on the qualification of spring water are set. If Member State has detailed grounds for considering that a natural mineral water does not comply with the provisions laid down in this Directive, or endangers public health may temporarily restrict or suspend trade in that product within its territory and immediately inform the Commission.