New rules may come to baths: social consultation on the amendment to the regulation has begun

New classifications, more precise definitions

According to the ministry’s proposal, the concept of “public bath” may be modified: any service unit that operates at least one pool, sauna or steam room would fall into this category – even if it is located in an apartment building or hotel, for example. In addition, new categories may appear: type 1 baths are used exclusively for bathing (e.g. spas, swimming pools), while in the case of type 2 baths, bathing is only an additional service. The latter would be further divided into two subgroups according to capacity and function.

Stricter regulations, new documentation requirements

The draft also affects the public health conditions for the establishment and operation of baths. Operators would have to submit detailed technological descriptions, workplace risk assessments and documentation. The Ministry of Health would also change the approval procedure for the public health technology regulations and impose stricter conditions for the operation of water circulation and filling-emptying systems.

Bathing water quality and official inspection

The draft regulation also contains detailed regulations for the quality and inspection of bathing water. In the future, operators would have to upload the results of accredited water tests to a state system within a maximum of eight days. The draft also sets out the procedure for inspections: an official on-site inspection would be mandatory within two months of the establishment of the bath.

Capacity calculation and hygiene: new principles

The calculation of the capacity of baths would also be transformed: instead of the current “simultaneous capacity”, the “maximum permitted simultaneous load” would be the new metric, which would more realistically reflect the use of pools and relaxation areas.

Tightening hygiene regulations is also a central element. In the case of indoor baths, the construction of a number of hot and cold showers adjusted to the number of guests would become mandatory, several of which must be suitable for cleaning with soap and without a swimsuit. By default, the pools could be accessed through a foot basin, and this could only be deviated from if certain conditions are met.

Deadline for comments: June 3.

The proposal is not yet in force, but it could bring significant changes to the world of domestic baths. The ministry is counting on the opinions of the public, professionals and service providers alike. Feedback can be submitted via the official interface of the draft.