EN 1018:2026
(Main)Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Calcium carbonate
General Information
- Abstract
This document is applicable to calcium carbonate used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics of calcium carbonate and specifies the requirements and the corresponding test methods for calcium carbonate. It gives information on its use in water treatment.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 28-Apr-2026
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 164 - Water supply
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 164/WG 9 - Drinking water treatment
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 29-Apr-2026
- Due Date
- 06-Feb-2026
- Completion Date
- 29-Apr-2026
Overview
EN 1018:2026 is a European standard developed by CEN, specifying requirements for calcium carbonate used in the treatment of water intended for human consumption. Calcium carbonate is a widely used water treatment chemical, serving primarily in pH adjustment, water hardness control, and mineralisation of desalinised water. This document details the characteristics, purity criteria, test methods, and safe handling of calcium carbonate intended for potable water applications.
By setting consistent quality and safety standards, EN 1018:2026 assures water suppliers and treatment facilities that calcium carbonate meets the stringent needs of drinking water treatment processes.
Key Topics
Calcium Carbonate Characteristics
- Physical forms: granular, crushed, and slurry
- Origin: derived from natural limestone or manufactured chemically
- Chemical formula: CaCO₃
Purity and Composition Requirements
- Minimum content requirements for calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate
- Strict limits for impurities such as antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel, and selenium
- Identification and classification of non-porous and porous calcium carbonate
Test Methods
- Sampling in line with ISO 3165 and ISO 6206
- Analytical procedures as described in EN 12485
- Specific surface area measurement using ISO 9277 (BET method)
Labelling, Transportation, and Storage
- Delivery in secure, uncontaminated containers or bags
- Marking must include product name, grade, mass, supplier information, and conformity statement
- Requires dry storage and separation from acids for product stability and safety
- No EU hazard classification for calcium carbonate, but transportation regulations highlight incompatibilities
Safe Handling and Spill Response
- Spillage should be cleaned mechanically
- Product is non-combustible and stable under recommended storage conditions
Applications
Calcium carbonate's primary applications in water treatment include:
- pH Adjustment: Used to increase the pH of acidic water, ensuring corrosion control in distribution systems.
- Hardness Correction: Essential for remineralising desalinised or soft water, contributing to optimal taste and water quality.
- Filtration and Metal Removal: Employed as a filter media to capture suspended solids and facilitate the removal of trace metals.
- Mineralisation: When used alongside carbon dioxide, calcium carbonate helps restore essential minerals in treated water, beneficial for health and taste.
Calcium carbonate is suitable for use in municipal water treatment plants, industrial water systems, and facilities preparing bottled or packaged drinking water. Compliance with EN 1018:2026 ensures consistent, high-quality drinking water and public health protection.
Related Standards
Organizations implementing EN 1018:2026 should also consult related standards to ensure comprehensive water treatment compliance:
- EN 12485: Test methods for chemicals used in water treatment, including calcium carbonate and other carbonates.
- EN 12902: Methods of test for inorganic supporting and filtering materials.
- ISO 3165 / ISO 6206: Sampling protocols for chemical products.
- ISO 9277: Melting the specific surface area of solids by the BET method.
- 98/83/EC: European Drinking Water Directive, setting overall water quality requirements.
- Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP): Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.
For those responsible for water quality, adherence to EN 1018:2026 and related standards ensures not only regulatory compliance but also public confidence in safe, high-quality drinking water.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 18-Jan-2023
- Effective Date
- 03-Jun-2026
- Effective Date
- 06-May-2026
- Effective Date
- 06-May-2026
- Effective Date
- 06-May-2026
- Effective Date
- 06-May-2026
- Effective Date
- 06-May-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 1018:2026 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Calcium carbonate". This standard covers: This document is applicable to calcium carbonate used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics of calcium carbonate and specifies the requirements and the corresponding test methods for calcium carbonate. It gives information on its use in water treatment.
This document is applicable to calcium carbonate used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics of calcium carbonate and specifies the requirements and the corresponding test methods for calcium carbonate. It gives information on its use in water treatment.
EN 1018:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 71.100.80 - Chemicals for purification of water. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 1018:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 1018:2021, EN 12485:2026, EN 15798:2022, EN 14368:2015, EN 12485:2010, EN 14368:2003, EN 12485:2017. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 1018:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2026
Kemikalije, ki se uporabljajo za pripravo pitne vode - Kalcijev karbonat
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Calcium
carbonate
Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch -
Calciumcarbonat
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau destinée à la consommation
humaine - Carbonate de calcium
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 1018:2026
ICS:
13.060.20 Pitna voda Drinking water
71.100.80 Kemikalije za čiščenje vode Chemicals for purification of
water
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN 1018
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 71.100.80 Supersedes EN 1018:2021
English Version
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human
consumption - Calcium carbonate
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den
destinée à la consommation humaine - Carbonate de menschlichen Gebrauch - Calciumcarbonat
calcium
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 March 2026.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 1018:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Description . 6
4.1 Identification . 6
4.1.1 Chemical name . 6
4.1.2 Synonym or common name . 6
4.1.3 Relative molecular mass . 6
4.1.4 Empirical formula . 6
4.1.5 Chemical formula . 6
4.1.6 CAS-Registry Number . 7
4.1.7 EINECS reference . 7
4.2 Commercial form . 7
4.3 Physical properties . 7
4.3.1 Appearance . 7
4.3.2 Density . 7
4.3.3 Solubility . 7
4.3.4 Vapour pressure . 7
4.3.5 Boiling point at 100 kPa . 7
4.3.6 Melting point . 7
4.3.7 Specific heat . 7
4.3.8 Viscosity, dynamic . 7
4.3.9 Critical temperature . 8
4.3.10 Critical pressure . 8
4.3.11 Physical hardness . 8
4.3.12 Particle size . 8
4.4 Chemical properties . 8
5 Purity criteria . 8
5.1 General. 8
5.2 Composition of commercial product . 8
5.3 Impurities and main by-products . 9
5.4 Chemical parameters. 9
6 Test methods . 9
6.1 Sampling . 9
6.2 Analyses. 9
7 Labelling - Transportation - Storage . 10
7.1 Means of delivery . 10
7.2 Labelling according to the EU legislation . 10
7.3 Transportation regulations and labelling . 10
7.4 Marking . 10
7.5 Storage . 10
7.5.1 Long term stability . 10
7.5.2 Storage incompatibilities . 10
Annex A (informative) General information on calcium carbonate . 11
A.1 Origin . 11
A.1.1 Raw materials . 11
A.1.2 Manufacturing process . 11
A.2 Use . 11
A.2.1 Function . 11
A.2.2 Form in which it is used . 11
A.2.3 Treatment dose . 11
A.2.4 Means of application. 11
A.2.5 Secondary effects . 11
A.2.6 Removal of excess product . 12
A.3 Rules for safe handling and use . 12
A.4 Emergency procedures . 12
A.4.1 First aid . 12
A.4.2 Spillage . 12
A.4.3 Fire . 12
Annex B (normative) Sample preparation and testing of specific surface of calcium
carbonate . 13
B.1 Sample preparation . 13
B.2 Testing . 13
B.3 Criteria for non-porous and porous calcium carbonates . 13
Bibliography . 14
European foreword
This document (EN 1018:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 164 “Water supply”,
the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publ
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