EN 1018:2013/FprA1

Overview

EN 1018:2013/FprA1 is a European Standard developed by CEN that specifies the requirements for calcium carbonate used in the treatment of water intended for human consumption. This standard outlines the purity criteria, chemical properties, and testing methods essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of calcium carbonate when applied in potable water treatment processes. The amendment FprA1 introduces additional limits on impurities, particularly relevant when calcium carbonate is used for remineralization of desalinized and soft water.

The standard ensures that calcium carbonate products meet consistent quality benchmarks to protect public health and comply with regulatory frameworks across Europe.

Key Topics

• Purity and Quality Requirements
  EN 1018:2013/FprA1 defines minimum purity levels for calcium carbonate, classifying it into different classes and grades based on calcium carbonate content and physical characteristics. It includes:

  • Content thresholds for calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate
  • Limits on insoluble residues
  • Maximum permissible levels of trace impurities such as antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel, and selenium

• Impurity Management
  The standard mandates notification to users and relevant authorities if impurities, by-products, or additives exceed typical levels due to variations in raw materials or manufacturing processes. This transparency is critical when treating sensitive water sources like soft or desalinized water.

• Physical and Chemical Characteristics
  Definitions include distinctions between non-porous and porous calcium carbonates based on BET surface area values, and particle size requirements that limit oversize or undersize content to 10% maximum.

• Labeling, Transportation, and Storage
  Requirements specify clear labeling with product name, trade name, class, grade, and type, along with a declaration conforming to the EN 1018 standard, ensuring traceability and compliance during logistics and handling.

• Test Methods
  Standard-prescribed test methods enable consistent assessment of calcium carbonate properties, including purity, chemical parameters, and particle size distribution.

Applications

• Water Treatment for Human Consumption
  Calcium carbonate is widely used to adjust pH, increase hardness, and remineralize water, particularly important in systems treating desalinized or soft water to restore beneficial mineral content and protect water infrastructure.

• Mineralization of Desalinized and Soft Water
  The amendment recognizes the increased sensitivity of mineralization processes and imposes stricter impurity limits to prevent adverse effects on water quality and human health.

• Industrial and Municipal Water Supplies
  Ensures that calcium carbonate used across water supply chains meets rigorous quality standards, supporting safe drinking water production in municipal and industrial settings.

Related Standards

• EN 1008 – Water treatment chemical standards relating to other mineral additives and reagents.
• ISO/TR 16378 – Guidelines concerning trace contaminants in drinking water treatment chemicals.
• European Drinking Water Directive (EU 2020/2184) – Regulatory framework for water quality compliance which aligns with standards like EN 1018 for chemical inputs.
• CEN/TC 164 – Technical committee responsible for water supply standards in Europe, overseeing related documents.

Keywords: EN 1018:2013/FprA1, calcium carbonate, water treatment chemicals, drinking water treatment, water mineralization, soft water treatment, desalinized water, water purity standards, water supply standards, CEN standard, impurities in water treatment, potable water calcium carbonate