According to regulations on natural mineral water, spring water and table water in Germany, “natural mineral water” must originate from an underground water source that is protected from impurities. Furthermore, in order to guarantee the original purity to the consumer, it must be bottled directly at the spring. Since it contains minerals and trace elements, mineral water is considered to be an important nutrient. In fact, in Germany, “Mineralwasser” is the only grocery item that requires official approval in order to receive this title. Part of this official approval is an extensive examination process, including more than 200 individual tests. Only the extraction of iron and sulphur is permitted, for reasons of appearance and taste, as well as the extraction or addition of carbonation.
Healing water also originates from an underground water source that is protected from impurities and must be bottled directly at the spring. Because of its vital minerals and trace elements, healing waters are attributed with healing, soothing or prophylactic properties. The effectiveness of these properties is scientifically verified and officially certified.
Spring water also originates from an underground water source. Contrary to natural mineral water, it does not have to be originally pure, but must fulfill the same guidelines for chemical substances that are designated by the German drinking water ordinance. All official criteria must be met in the production of spring water. It underlies the same restricted treatment processes as mineral water. 
Table water is not a natural product, but a mixture of diverse kinds of water and other ingredients. There are no official regulations for its mix of ingredients. Table water does not need to be officially approved. References to a particular geographic origin and information about its chemical composition are not permitted, as table water can be produced and bottled at any location. In order to prevent confusion with natural mineral waters, the names of table waters are neither permitted to have the term “natural” in them nor can they claim to originate from any particular well or spring.