New Hygiene Code for Eggs: How the Watter System Aligns with the New Regulations

The new Hygiene Code for Eggs replaces the outdated version from 2002. For packing stations, collectors, egg traders, and wholesalers, this means new, concrete obligations regarding cleaning and disinfection. The Watter system is the ideal solution precisely for complying with this new Hygiene Code.

1. Equipment and rooms must be easy to clean and disinfect

What the hygiene code says

"Every company must have facilities that allow for the proper cleaning and/or disinfection of rooms, equipment, vehicles, and transport materials." (§ 2.7, Equipment and hardware)

"All equipment and tools must be designed and constructed in such a way that simple and thorough cleaning and disinfection is made possible." (§ 2.7)

How Watter helps you

The Watter system produces a fresh disinfectant on-site using water, salt, and electricity. The solution can be used immediately for surface disinfection of crate washers, workstations, sorting lines, and other equipment. Because the agent is produced on-site, a disinfectant is always available without the risk of degradation caused by incorrect storage of a concentrated product.

2. The disinfectant must be broadly effective: including against viruses

What the hygiene code says

"The disinfectant must be capable of sufficiently killing the micro-organisms present. Not all agents are capable of killing viruses. If there is a reason to use an agent with antiviral activity (such as during an outbreak of Avian Influenza), it must be verified whether the agent to be used has antiviral activity." (§ 2.8, Cleaning and disinfection)

How Watter helps you

Watter’s HOCl has been extensively and independently tested for effectiveness against:

• Bacteria: EN 1276
• Viruses: EN 14476 (including enveloped and non-enveloped viruses)
• Fungi and yeasts: EN 1650

The hygiene code explicitly states that antiviral activity must be verified in the event of an outbreak. Watter's effectiveness is proven against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeasts. This means you do not need multiple disinfectants.

3. Use of authorized biocidal products (PT04)

What the hygiene code says

"Disinfectants for use in the food sector must be authorized as PT04 (disinfectants for the food and feed area)." (§ 2.8)

How Watter helps you 

Watter is registered as a biocide under product type PT04 (disinfection in the food and feed sector). The system therefore fully complies with the statutory requirement for authorization in the food industry (including the egg sector).

4. No danger to employee health; safe working conditions

What the hygiene code says

"Tools and equipment must be constructed and maintained in such a way that they cannot pose a danger to the health of the consumer and the person working with them." (§ 2.7)

"Cleaning agents and disinfectants are chemicals that are unfit for consumption and are often toxic to humans in large quantities. These substances must therefore be stored in a separate locked room or cabinet." (§ 2.3)

How Watter helps you

At the ready-to-use concentrations of Watter’s HOCl that are applied, no personal protective equipment (PPE) is required: no gloves, face protection, or special clothing. Because the disinfectant is made solely from water, salt, and electricity, no harmful chemicals need to be stored. In addition, the system doses automatically, meaning no substances need to be kept in a separate locked room or cabinet.

5. Crates, transport equipment, and reused packaging must be cleanable and disinfectable

What the hygiene code says:

"Packaging that is reused for food products must be easy to clean and, if necessary, disinfected." (§ 2.5, Packaging)

"When there is a risk of contamination of the products, cleaning and, if necessary, disinfection must take place between different loads." (§ 2.6)

How Watter helps you: 

You can connect the Watter system to your crate washer or tap the solution directly from the machine itself. You can then use it without needing personal protective equipment, as the agent is already effective at a very low active concentration.

Watter versus Conventional Disinfectants

Alignment with the new Hygiene Code for Eggs 2026.

The new Hygiene Code for Eggs is not an additional administrative burden, but an opportunity to modernize your disinfection protocol. The Watter system offers a concrete and demonstrable solution for every requirement addressed.

Written based on the article by Anevei: https://www.anevei.nl/dynamic/media/4/documents/Dossiers/Hygienecode_eieren/20260526%20Hygienecode%20eieren.pdf