Bulgarian Parliament passes new water and crisis product regulations

The Bulgarian Parliament has passed two sets of legislative amendments at their first reading.

First, changes to the Food Act aim to align national law with EU Directive 2009/54/EC regarding bottled mineral water. This move is intended to resolve an infringement procedure initiated by the European Commission against Bulgaria. The new regulations introduce terms such as ‘deposit’ and ‘groundwater body’ and establish the principle of ‘one source - one commercial description.’ The amendments also clarify health certification processes for exporting bottled water to ensure compliance with the requirements of importing nations.

Second, deputies approved amendments to the Law on Technical Requirements for Products. This legislation introduces procedures to ensure faster market access and address shortages of essential goods during crisis situations, such as those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rules cover a wide range of products, including machinery, elevators, pressure equipment, radio equipment, and personal protective equipment. Under these measures, the European Commission can trigger special procedures to allow the release of critical products into the market during emergencies, provided they meet technical documentation requirements and undergo enhanced market surveillance.