Regional Act No. 15 in matter of thermal and mineral waters. Country/Territory Italy Territorial subdivision Abruzzo Document type Legislation Date 2002 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Food & nutrition, Water Keyword Mineral water Packaging/labelling Offences/penalties Thermal and medicinal waters Water rights Authorization/permit Concession Water abstraction Subsidy/incentive Institution Policy/planning Inspection Geographical area Alps, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, Mediterranean, Southern Europe Abstract This Regional Act, which consists of eight Titles, lays down detailed principles and rules governing the research, the abstraction as well as the exploitation of thermal and mineral waters in the Abruzzo Region. The aims hereby pursued are, in fact, the protection and the improvement of thermal and mineral water resources, with a view to safeguarding the environment, protecting human health and boosting the economic development of the regional territory. To this end, the Region shall grant subsidies and incentives. Title I of the Act lays down general provisions, giving particular regard to the distribution of functions. Functions related to territorial planning and economic programming are entrusted to the Region (art. 3). Functions concerning the use and improvement of mineral and thermal waters pertain to the Health Service under the Region. All administrative functions relative to the issuance of research permits and concessions are awarded to the Provinces. Article 4 defines the instruments intended for the achievement of the purposes of this Act: the Regional Plan on Mineral and Thermal Waters (art. 7); the Regional Technical and Advisory Committee (art. 6); the Document on the Regional Economic and Financial Programme. Title II of the Act makes provision on planning and programming. In particular, article 8 describes the full content of the regional plan to be drafted and approved by the Regional Council. The content shall cover, inter alia: (1) determination of areas where mineral and thermal waters may be cultivated; (2) localization of mineral and thermal waters layers; (3) description of chemical and physical waters; (4) classification of mineral and thermal waters; (5) determination of environmental protection zones; (6) definition of areas where the cultivation and research of waters is forbidden. Title III regulates the granting of permits and concessions. Title IV, on the other hand, regulates the use and exploitation of mineral and thermal waters. The authorizations referred therein are compulsory for thermal establishments, for using mineral waters in the production of non-alcoholic beverages and for bottling mineral waters (particular provisions concern the information to be provided in the labels). Further provisions regard inspection (Title VI) and penalties (Title VII). Full text Italian Website www.regione.abruzzo.it