What is the ACS Certificate?
The ACS Certificate (Attestation de Conformité Sanitaire) is a French sanitary compliance certificate that ensures materials and products in contact with drinking water are safe and suitable for human consumption. It confirms that no harmful substances migrate into the water and that its taste, smell, and quality remain unchanged.
ACS – Sanitary Conformity Certificate
Certain materials and products that come into direct contact with drinking water may negatively affect its purity, organoleptic properties, microbiological stability, or chemical composition. This could lead to health risks for consumers.
The ACS Certificate is a mandatory hygiene approval required in France for all materials and products used in drinking water systems. It certifies that all components in contact with water comply with strict regulatory standards. Metallic materials are tested for purity compliance, while organic materials are verified against a list of approved substances.
Is the ACS Certificate Mandatory?
Yes, the ACS Certificate is legally required in France for any equipment or product that comes into contact with potable water. Since December 24, 2006, all materials used in the storage, transport, or treatment of drinking water must meet ACS compliance. Construction companies, water treatment operators, and utility suppliers are responsible for ensuring that all materials used are ACS-certified.
Testing and Certification Process
Independent Water Quality Testing
ACS certification involves a rigorous quality control process. Independent laboratories evaluate whether any material negatively impacts water quality. If testing confirms that the material does not leach harmful substances into the water, a certificate is issued.
Any migration of toxins would render the water unsuitable for consumption. The ACS certificate guarantees that the product does not release hazardous compounds under normal use conditions.
Certification Procedure
To be certified, the material must meet defined reference system requirements and pass migration limit tests. The simplified certification process involves:
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Laboratory Submission
The material is submitted to an accredited testing lab. -
Testing Stages:
a) Chemical Composition Analysis – Verifying all ingredients are listed as approved substances.
b) Migration Tests – Assessing sanitary safety through water contact simulations. If the material fails due to prohibited substances or exceeds limit values, it is not approved. If it meets the criteria, certification is granted. -
Validation
The laboratory confirms and documents that the material complies with ACS requirements.
ACS Certificate Validity
The ACS Certificate is valid for 1 to 5 years. Renewal should be initiated six months before expiration. If the product composition and usage remain unchanged, renewal can be granted without retesting.
If the composition has changed but remains within permissible limits, additional targeted tests (e.g., sensory evaluation) may be required. If modifications exceed limits, full migration tests must be repeated—assessing factors like taste, odour, pH, and cytotoxicity. If the product passes, the certificate is renewed for another five years.
Products That Comply with Drinking Water Standards
At Power Rubber, we offer a wide selection of high-quality rubber products suitable for various industrial environments. Many of these products meet strict hygiene and safety standards, confirmed by relevant certifications such as ACS.
For more information or to discuss your specific needs, please contact our Sales Department at +48 22 292 40 24 or +48 505 160 303, or email us at Power@PowerRubber.com. You can also reach us via our contact form.
