News

What is EN997:2003?
[Back to Articles]

The UK bathroom industry is governed by many British and European standards, and rightly so. Some of these standards specifically relate to the performance of the product and one in particular, EN997:2003, is extremely important since its Class 2 mirrors the requirements of the Regulators’ Specification for the performance of WC suites. That specification governs the construction, performance, function and testing of all WCs installed in the UK..
The WC suite has, for a long time, been regarded as the bad boy in the bathroom since it uses more water than any other item of sanitaryware. In response to the push for water efficient and eco-friendly bathroom products manufacturers trading in the UK have responded quickly by developing toilets which flush with water volumes as low as 2.6 litres, short flush.
But do these products conform with EN997:2003: Class 2?
“Any new WC suite installed in the UK simply must conform with the Regulators’ Specification,” explains Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the bathroom manufacturers association (BMA). “Furthermore, it must conform with Class 2 of EN 997 otherwise it is deemed illegal.”
But what is EN997:2003: Class 2?
The standard relates to the construction, performance, functional criteria and testing of the WC. Class 1 of the standard is applicable only to WCs sold in mainland Europe where flush volumes vary from 4 litres to 9 litres. Class 2, however, is specific to WCs sold in the UK and defines a long flush maximum of 6 litres as specified in UK Water Regulations. All WCs installed in the UK must conform to Class 2.
EN997:2003 Class 2 also covers such criteria as the depth of water seal, flush performance, water absorption, load testing, leak tightness, valve reliability, wash of the bowl, flushing of toilet paper, over-splashing, after-flush volume, static load and durability.
As you can see the standard is comprehensive and purchasers should be confident that the WC does its job!
EN997 was authored by the British Standards Institute and the European Committee for Standardisation. “Members of the BMA are keen to ensure that their products do fully conform with these standards,” says Orgill, “and bathroom buyers and installers should be fully aware of them. More information is available from our technical team at the BMA head office.”
________________________________________
Further Information
For further information please email info@bathroom-association.org.uk or
telephone 01782 747123 and visit www.bathroom-association.org

[Back to Articles]