This was not always the case; previously bottled water was regulated according to the general safety and quality criteria governing the production of food.

Since its inception in 1997, the South African National Bottled Water Association (www.sanbwa.org.za) lobbied the Department of Health to draft legislation specifically governing the bottled water industry. As a result Government introduced regulations that stipulates what sources of water are acceptable, what types of treatment are required, the maximum levels of certain substances, and what information bottlers must display on their labels.

As soon as the regulations was signed into law, SANBWA developed a single standard covering legal, hygiene, food safety and quality, and environmental requirements to give its members clear and precise guidelines for complying with all applicable South African legislation.

As a member of SANBWA, Nestlé Pure Life subscribes to this standard which ensures that it:

• complies with all pertinent legislation
• is audited regularly to prove due diligence
• constantly looks for areas where it can improve

Very importantly, SANBWA works with Nestlé Pure Life to continuously improve and conserve its water sources, which are predominantly groundwater sources, and reduce the industry’s impact on the environment.