Substandard solutions in the drinking water supply system in hospitals can pose a serious risk

The installation of unsuitable, unauthorised fittings and building services products in drinking water systems in hospitals, healthcare facilities and care homes can pose a serious health risk – as highlighted by Építési Vállalkozók Országos Szakszövetsége.

The root of the problem lies in the inadequate regulations

The statement also explains the background:

The market has been flooded with cheap, poor-quality products of dubious origin. This not only poses a threat to the health of the general public and patients, but also puts companies that comply with regulations and manufacture high-quality products at a competitive disadvantage.

The root of the problem lies in the inadequate monitoring system and in practices that exploit loopholes in the regulations. For this reason, the Building Services Engineering Section of ÉVOSZ Building Services Engineering Section, founded this year, is calling for clear regulations and rigorous monitoring.

This is how dodgy companies evade scrutiny

The notice explains that products coming into contact with drinking water must be tested and registered. These must also be accompanied by a technical assessment (which includes an evaluation of the product’s essential technical characteristics and performance), a water safety licence, an EU declaration of conformity and a Certificate of Constancy of Performance.

However, many „unscrupulous” companies only carry out the laboratory tests. They then avoid the mandatory annual on-site inspection and, citing the original authorisation, place a completely different, cheaper product on the market.

Installing the Építési Rendészet could provide a solution

From a market supervision perspective, the Consumer Protection Authority would currently be responsible for monitoring products that come into contact with drinking water, but it lacks sufficient capacity to do so. Therefore, one possible solution would be to establish an independent supervisory body with a comprehensive remit (for example, Építési Rendészet), involving NÉBIH, the Quality Control Institute and the ministry. The Építésügyi Minőségellenőrző Intézet, which is responsible for inspecting construction products, is also struggling with a lack of resources and staff, and is therefore only able to carry out its duties to a limited extent.

The ÉVOSZ proposes targeted trade inspections and stricter sanctions to ensure compliance. It would be advisable to check that building services suppliers hold the required certificates directly at their premises. Non-compliant products must be identified and removed from the system, and distributors should be subject to sanctions.

A digital database would also be a great help

They also explain that it is high time to establish a comprehensive, transparent and authoritative digital database of construction products that is harmonised with EU systems, where professionals could immediately check a product’s authorisations and where the validity of certificates can be verified in a flash.

Please note that harmonised EU certificates will come into force on 1 January 2027. During the transitional period, which runs until 2032, strict monitoring must be carried out to ensure that only certified products are placed on the market.

This is how you can prevent cheap, dangerous products from finding their way into your home

The ÉVOSZ also drew attention to the responsibilities of professionals in the sector. According to this, design engineers (particularly in the case of hospitals, care homes and public institutions) must clearly stipulate, right from the design phase, that the relevant certificates are mandatory, and must include this requirement in the tender documents.

During construction, building services engineering technical inspectors have the greatest influence in preventing the installation in projects of products that are compliant on paper but, in reality, are „substituted”, cut-price or uncertified.

Building services engineers can play a part in educating both the profession and developers by drawing attention to the vital difference between a hygiene licence and a certificate of production supervision.

„In order to protect the health of patients, the elderly and all consumers, a system needs to be put in place as soon as possible that prevents substandard products from entering the market and ensures a genuine competitive advantage for manufacturers and distributors operating in accordance with the rules,” the statement concludes.