Discover the key points of RD 487/2022 on Legionella control.
Find out about the new health requirements.
If you manage a hotel, a gym, or any installation with water systems, you have likely already heard about the legislative change. The old Royal Decree 865/2003 is now history. Bear in mind that your residents’ community, if it has sprinkler irrigation or fire suppression water systems, is also subject to these obligations.
Since the entry into force of Royal Decree 487/2022, the rules of the game for the prevention and control of Legionella have changed drastically in Spain. It is no longer simply a matter of “adding chlorine” and signing a form; the new regulations demand a far more technical, preventive, and professional approach.
At RapiPlaga, we understand that legislative changes can generate uncertainty. That is why we have put together this guide to explain what has changed and, most importantly, what you need to do to avoid penalties and health risks.
What changes with RD 487/2022? What you need to know
...And why it could cause you serious problems.
The primary objective of this new regulation is to update technical and health knowledge and tighten controls to safeguard public health. What was previously a recommendation is now, in many cases, a strict legal obligation.
The most significant changes affecting your installation are:
1. The Legionella Prevention and Control Plan (PPCL)
This is the headline change. Every installation must now have a PPCL in place. This plan must be tailored specifically to your installation (generic copy-and-paste templates are not acceptable) and must include initial assessments, maintenance programmes, water treatment, and sampling protocols.
2. The option of a Sanitary Legionella Plan (PSL)
The regulation introduces the possibility of basing compliance on the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) through a PSL. This is a more flexible approach, but one that requires continuous and highly detailed risk assessment.
3. Greater responsibility for the installation owner
The owner of the installation bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring that no bacteria are present in their systems. This means that engaging a cheap service provider that fails to meet quality standards, or that uses equipment with manufacturing defects or poor maintenance, does not absolve you of liability. The responsibility rests with you.
Who does this new regulation affect?
Essentially, any installation that uses water in its operation and produces aerosols. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Hospitality and Tourism: Hotels, campsites, spas, and heated swimming pools.
- Sports Facilities: Gyms with showers and irrigation systems.
- Industry: Cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and fire suppression water systems.
- Healthcare Centres and Residential Facilities: Hospitals, clinics, and care homes (considered high risk).
Please note: Even if your installation is classified as “lower risk”, RD 487/2022 obliges you to meet certain cleaning and disinfection requirements that were previously overlooked.
The consequences of non-compliance (and why the risk is simply not worth it)
Ignoring RD 487/2022 is not a viable option for any serious business. The consequences go well beyond a simple administrative warning:
- Substantial Financial Penalties: Fines for non-compliance in matters of public health can run into tens of thousands of euros, particularly where negligence in maintenance or the absence of a PPCL is identified.
- Closure of Installations: The health authority has the power to preventively shut down your business or part of your facilities (such as a spa or cooling tower) if a health risk is detected.
- Irreparable Reputational Damage: An outbreak of Legionellosis linked to your brand destroys client trust. In the age of online reviews, safety is a non-negotiable value.
Avoid common pitfalls: The importance of an impeccable technical service
- We use calibrated and verified measuring equipment to eliminate reading errors.
- Our protocols are designed to detect faults in your installations before they become a source of infection.
- How does RapiPlaga help you?
- You don’t need to become an expert in health legislation — that’s what we’re here for. We take care of bringing your business into full compliance with RD 487/2022:
- Initial Audit: We review your installations to identify critical points.
- PPCL Preparation: We draft your mandatory, bespoke prevention and control plan.
- Cleaning and Disinfection: Using approved products and qualified technicians.
- Sampling and Laboratory Analysis: Through accredited laboratories, guaranteeing 100% reliable results.
Not sure whether your installation complies with the new legislation? Get in touch with us.
Don’t wait for an inspection or a health incident. Prevention is always less costly than a penalty.
