General Health Law 14/1986, of 25 April, establishes the obligation of public health administrations to work primarily in promoting health and preventing disease.

Directive 2009/54/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 regulates the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral water. On the other hand, Directive 98/83/EC of the Council, dated 3 November 1998, regulates the quality of water intended for human consumption.

Royal Decree 1074/2002, of 18 October, regulated the production, distribution and marketing of bottled drinking water, including natural mineral and spring water, as well as other types of bottled water.

These are defined as:

• Natural mineral water: bacteria-free water originating from an underground stratum or deposit and that arises from a natural or drilled spring at one or several points.
• Spring water:drinking water from underground sources that emerges spontaneously or is collected using specific procedures, and with natural features concerning purity that make it fit for consumption.
• Prepared drinking water: water from a spring or that has been collected and subjected to treatment to render it drinkable, thus losing any classification it may have been entitled to as spring water or natural mineral water and being classified as prepared drinking water. This water cannot revert to being classified as spring or natural mineral water.

The bottled water market in Europe produces over 50,000 million litres, of which almost 6,000 come from Spain. Spain ranks 4th in Europe in terms of production.

List of mineral water approved in Spain