The article contains an overview of regulatory standing orders devoted to the issues of methodological approaches to assessment and certification systems of reagents, materials, and technologies used in water treatment in Russia and abroad. When conducting a literature search, the following databases were used: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, Global Health, RSCI, as well as a search method based on keywords and citations.

Reagents and materials used in water treatment must neither impair the organoleptic properties of water, support the growth of microorganisms, nor have a cytotoxic or mutagenic effect. Their safety assessment includes studies of impurities, chemical and physical properties, maximum doses, behaviour in water, transformation in different environments, migration, and cumulative effects. Reagents, equipment, and materials in many countries are subject to certification by various organizations and specialized laboratories. There are established procedures for their control, including procurement, inspection, handling, storage, and maintenance to ensure quality. At the same time, there is a number of differences: various criteria and standards are used to assess these parameters (from 0.1 MPC to MPC in the hood), and unlike methods. The research methodology, experimental conditions and methods for assessing the results obtained also differ significantly, which can lead to differences in the final results concluding permission and not permission for use in drinking water supply. Standardization of methods and criteria will provide an integrated and comprehensive approach to the selection of reagents and materials in contact with drinking water, eliminate existing contradictions, and help to unite the efforts of many organizations to create an optimal standardization option.