EN 18021:2025

Sanitary tapware - Measurement of functional performance of taps and showers

Publication date:   Sep 18, 2025

Scope

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.

Related legislation

Legislation related to this standard