M/572 - Taps and showers
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 16.12.2020 on a standardisation request to the European Committee for Standardisation as regards the measurement of functional performance of taps and showers in support of Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council
This mandate M/572 requests the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) to develop standards for measuring the functional performance of taps and showers. The standardisation work supports the implementation of Directive 2009/125/EC on eco-design requirements and Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 on energy labelling. The objective is to establish harmonised methods to assess performance parameters that influence water and energy efficiency, ensuring consistent evaluation criteria across the EU market. This facilitates regulatory compliance and promotes the design of more sustainable tap and shower products. The mandate was adopted by the European Commission on 16 December 2020.
Purpose
This mandate aims to provide a standardisation request to the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) concerning the measurement of the functional performance of taps and showers. The standardisation work supports the implementation of Directive 2009/125/EC on the eco-design requirements for energy-related products and Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 on energy labelling.
Standardisation request
The European Commission requests CEN to develop standards that establish consistent methods for measuring the functional performance characteristics of taps and showers. These standards are intended to enable accurate assessment and comparison of product performance in the context of energy and water efficiency requirements under the eco-design and energy labelling frameworks.
Expected deliverables
- Harmonised standards detailing the procedures and criteria for testing and measuring the functional performance of taps and showers.
- Measurement methods that ensure reliability, reproducibility, and relevance for regulatory purposes under Directive 2009/125/EC and Regulation (EU) 2017/1369.
- Support material enabling market surveillance authorities and manufacturers to assess product compliance with applicable eco-design and labelling requirements.
Context
The mandate relates directly to the sustainable use of water and energy resources through improved design and labelling of taps and showers used in residential and commercial applications. Directive 2009/125/EC establishes a framework for setting eco-design requirements to reduce the environmental impact of energy-related products, while Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 sets out the energy labelling framework to inform consumers on product efficiency. This standardisation effort is part of the EU's broader commitment to enhance product sustainability and consumer information as components of its Green Deal and environmental policy objectives.
This mandate covers the standardisation of methods for measuring the functional performance of taps and showers, supporting the implementation of energy-related product regulations under Directive 2009/125/EC and Regulation (EU) 2017/1369. It applies to taps and showers used in residential, commercial, and public water installations.
General Information
This document acknowledges the field of application for taps, shower outlets, shower sets and shower systems used in water supply systems with a pressure range of (0,05 to 1,0) MPa [(0,5 to 10) bar].
The tests described in this document are type tests (laboratory tests) and not quality control tests carried out during manufacture.
This document covers:
— PN10 taps;
— PN5 shower outlets;
— PN5 shower sets;
— PN10 shower systems.
The following products are excluded from this document:
— shower taps on its own;
— taps for filling bathtubs;
— the tub filling function of combined taps;
— the function of a tap that delivers e.g. boiling water or sparkling water, etc.;
— body or side jet showers.
The conditions of use for taps and shower systems are given in Table 1. The conditions of use for showers sets and shower outlets are given in Table 2.
Table 1 — Conditions of use for taps and shower systems
Water supply system Operating range of taps and shower systems
Limits Recommended
see Figure 1 dynamic pressure
≥ 0,05 MPa
(0,5 bar)
static pressure
≤ 1,0 MPa
(10,0 bar) dynamic pressure b
(0,1 to 0,5) MPa
[(1,0 to 5,0) bar]
temperature ≤ 70 °C a ≤ 65 °C
a This maximum temperature limit can only be reached for short durations not greater than 1 h.
b Measured at the point of discharge.
NOTE Taps and shower systems for use at pressures lower than those in Table 1 are not covered by this standard.
Table 2 — Conditions of use for shower outlets and shower sets
Water supply system Operating range of showers
Limits Recommended
see Figure 1 dynamic pressure
≥ 0,05 MPa
(0,5 bar)
static pressure
≤ 0,5 MPa
(5,0 bar) dynamic pressure
(0,1 to 0,3) MPa
[(1,0 to 3,0) bar]
temperature ≤ 70 °C a ≤ 42 °C
a This maximum temperature limit can only be reached for short durations not greater than 1 h.
Key
1 cold water
2 hot water
3 mains supply pipe (supply pressures up to 10 bar)
4 water heater
Figure 1 — Supply system with a pressure range of (0,05 to 1,0) MPa [(0,5 to 10) bar]
Health and quality requirements in accordance to European and national legislation for final materials in contact with water intended for human consumption are not covered by this document.
- Standard41 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document acknowledges the field of application for taps, shower outlets, shower sets and shower systems used in water supply systems with a pressure range of (0,05 to 1,0) MPa [(0,5 to 10) bar].
The tests described in this document are type tests (laboratory tests) and not quality control tests carried out during manufacture.
This document covers:
— PN10 taps;
— PN5 shower outlets;
— PN5 shower sets;
— PN10 shower systems.
The following products are excluded from this document:
— shower taps on its own;
— taps for filling bathtubs;
— the tub filling function of combined taps;
— the function of a tap that delivers e.g. boiling water or sparkling water, etc.;
— body or side jet showers.
The conditions of use for taps and shower systems are given in Table 1. The conditions of use for showers sets and shower outlets are given in Table 2.
Table 1 — Conditions of use for taps and shower systems
Water supply system Operating range of taps and shower systems
Limits Recommended
see Figure 1 dynamic pressure
≥ 0,05 MPa
(0,5 bar)
static pressure
≤ 1,0 MPa
(10,0 bar) dynamic pressure b
(0,1 to 0,5) MPa
[(1,0 to 5,0) bar]
temperature ≤ 70 °C a ≤ 65 °C
a This maximum temperature limit can only be reached for short durations not greater than 1 h.
b Measured at the point of discharge.
NOTE Taps and shower systems for use at pressures lower than those in Table 1 are not covered by this standard.
Table 2 — Conditions of use for shower outlets and shower sets
Water supply system Operating range of showers
Limits Recommended
see Figure 1 dynamic pressure
≥ 0,05 MPa
(0,5 bar)
static pressure
≤ 0,5 MPa
(5,0 bar) dynamic pressure
(0,1 to 0,3) MPa
[(1,0 to 3,0) bar]
temperature ≤ 70 °C a ≤ 42 °C
a This maximum temperature limit can only be reached for short durations not greater than 1 h.
Key
1 cold water
2 hot water
3 mains supply pipe (supply pressures up to 10 bar)
4 water heater
Figure 1 — Supply system with a pressure range of (0,05 to 1,0) MPa [(0,5 to 10) bar]
Health and quality requirements in accordance to European and national legislation for final materials in contact with water intended for human consumption are not covered by this document.
- Standard41 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.
M/572 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 16.12.2020 on a standardisation request to the European Committee for Standardisation as regards the measurement of functional performance of taps and showers in support of Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council". COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 16.12.2020 on a standardisation request to the European Committee for Standardisation as regards the measurement of functional performance of taps and showers in support of Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council There are 2 standards developed under this mandate.
Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.