What the CE mark on water filters really means

Tested safety – not just a promise

A water filter comes into direct contact with your drinking water every day. The water sometimes remains in the system for hours. This is precisely why water filters are subject to particularly high safety and hygiene standards. The European standard EN 17093:2018 defines these requirements – and our MAUNAWAI filters meet them in full. Tested by an independent, accredited testing laboratory.

What the EN 17093:2018 standard requires

EN 17093 is not a simple standard test. It was developed specifically for water filters and takes into account the particular challenges associated with this product category. The focus is on three areas.

Firstly: variable operating conditions. Unlike permanently installed filter systems, where water flows through the filter at a constant pressure, jug filters and gravity-fed systems operate under changing conditions. The standard takes into account that flow rates depend on the user, filling cycles are irregular and water sometimes remains in the system for extended periods. Some users filter three times a day, others once a week. The tests in accordance with EN 17093 specifically replicate these realistic usage scenarios – not an idealised laboratory test, but a simulation of actual everyday life.

Secondly: Hygienic safety in gravity-fed operation. Gravity filters such as the Kini and the PiPrime operate without electricity or water pressure. This means: no continuous flushing effect, longer contact times between water and filter material, and unavoidable periods of stagnation. The standard therefore requires microbiological testing over defined periods, an assessment of material surfaces and clear guidelines on cleaning and replacement intervals.

Thirdly: performance stability over the service life. It is not enough for a filter to show good results at the outset. EN 17093 requires long-term tests to demonstrate that the specified filter performance is maintained up to maximum capacity and that no unacceptable deterioration in water quality occurs. Performance specifications must apply throughout the entire service life – not just on the first day.

What was specifically tested

The normative requirements were verified as part of a comprehensive test carried out by an accredited institute. Four key areas were included in the test plan.

Material compatibility: All parts in contact with water were tested to ensure they do not release any harmful substances into the water. This applies to both the plastic of the jug and the filter media themselves.

Hygiene: The filter itself must not promote the growth of germs – not even during normal use with the inevitable periods of inactivity. This test is particularly demanding because, by definition, gravity filters have longer contact times than flow-based systems.

Performance stability: The stated filter performance figures apply not only when new, but right up to the specified filter capacity. This has been proven in long-term tests under realistic conditions.

Suitability for everyday use: The tests are carried out under realistic usage conditions – not just in ideal laboratory conditions. This also includes scenarios such as non-use for several days, fluctuating ambient temperatures and varying water qualities. This ensures that the results hold true in your home too – whether you live in a city with chlorinated water or in the countryside, where elevated nitrate levels pose the greater challenge.

What the CE mark means

The CE mark on our MAUNAWAI filters is more than just a symbol. It confirms that the product complies with European safety and hygiene standards, that all relevant tests have been carried out and documented, and that the product is legally compliant for sale throughout the EU. In an industry where many suppliers advertise with grandiose promises but few actually have their products tested to European standards, the CE mark is a reliable point of reference. It is proof of quality – not a marketing promise.

For you as a consumer, this means: when you buy a MAUNAWAI product with the CE mark, you know that an independent institute has confirmed its safety, hygiene and performance – under realistic conditions, not just in an ideal scenario.

Annual independent inspection

Compliance with standards does not end with the initial test. Our jug filters are inspected annually by an independent, accredited testing body. This involves checking whether the product, materials and performance specifications continue to meet the requirements of EN 17093:2018. This means: the tested quality is maintained over the long term, no unnoticed changes to materials or processes can occur, and you can rely on safety and performance in the long run.

Higher requirements than is often assumed

A common misconception: jug and gravity filter systems are sometimes perceived as ‘simple’ products that have to meet lower requirements than permanently installed systems. The opposite is true. Precisely because these systems operate without electricity and continuous flow, they are subject to different and, in some cases, higher regulatory requirements. The successful implementation of EN 17093:2018 and CE marking demonstrate that our gravity filters also meet the highest technical and hygienic standards.

Why CE certification is important for you

As a consumer, you cannot test the quality of a water filter yourself in a laboratory. That is why independent certifications are so valuable: they give you the assurance that a neutral, accredited institute has confirmed the safety and performance of the product. The CE marking in accordance with EN 17093:2018 is the highest European standard for water filters – and MAUNAWAI not only meets it once, but is audited annually to ensure compliance.

If you want to be sure that your water filter not only sounds good but actually delivers what it promises, look for the CE mark. At MAUNAWAI, it stands for almost 30 years of experience, strict quality controls and the conviction that good water tolerates no compromises.

Not just tested – but independently monitored every year. That is our standard of quality.

If you’d like to know how our production works in Germany and the EU, read on in the ‘Our Technology’ section under ‘Made in Germany’.