Due to the new European Regulations and to the new material tests prescribed by the European Acceptance Scheme, most current materials for domestic distribution of drinking water will have to be substituted for. Performances of stainless steel, as compared with other materials, are highlighted considering sanitary aspects and fitness for purpose as well. The new press-fitting technique makes it possible to join stainless steel plumbing easily, thus alleviating the only difficulty with stainless steel installation. This opens the way for the development of stainless steel in drinking water distribution.