Kiwa Watermark Certification, Testing and Inspection for Rubbers and Adhesives
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Who is Kiwa Watermark product certification, testing and inspection for?
Kiwa Watermark certification for rubbers and adhesives is relevant for manufacturers, distributors and traders of products applied in drinking water systems to show compliance to Dutch law. The product certification of rubber products for applications in contact with drinking water in The Netherlands is also important for contractors, architect, installers, plumbers and anyone working for a municipality or housing association involved in installing drinking water installations.
About Kiwa Watermark product certification, testing and inspection
The Kiwa Watermark is a proof of compliance to the legislation for products in contact with drinking water in The Netherlands.
To obtain the Watermark certification:
- Rubbers are tested on requirements for hardness, tensile strength, elongation, and volume change after fluid exposure and/or heat resistance.
- Adhesives’ performance tests strength measurements like tensile, shear and peel data and other adhesive property tests such as impact, odor, and aging.
In addition, the products must meet the hygienic requirements as set by the Dutch government and require an agreed constant quality level.
Kiwa Watermark certification evaluation guidelines
The Kiwa Watermark evaluation guidelines include all requirements set by the market and government for products that come into contact with drinking water: both the private, functional requirements and the public, hygienic requirements.
Certification of vulcanised rubber products for cold and hot drinking water applications (BRL-K17504)
Kiwa Watermark product certification under Kiwa evaluation guideline BRL K17504/3 applies to products intended to be applied as sealing systems for drinking water. For other applications as mentioned here a more explicit testing might be necessary to assure a correct function of the products.
In evaluation guideline BRL K17504/3 the products are classified in the following areas of use:
- Water supply at temperatures up to 50°C.
- Water supply at temperatures intermittently up to 110°C, or water supply up to 110°C in serviceable piping systems.
- Hot water circulation systems based on the classification class 2 in ISO 10508.
Certification is intended for actual products (seals). To reduce unnecessary testing, it is also possible to issue a certificate on a rubber material intended to be used for the production of products afterwards. Having such a certificate will reduce the tests needed to be carried out on the actual products.
The evaluation guideline BRL K17504/3 is a certification scheme for vulcanised rubber products for cold and hot drinking water applications.
TPE materials for products in cold drinking water applications (BRL-K17505-1)
Kiwa Watermark product certification under Kiwa evaluation guideline BRL K17505-1 applies to TPE materials intended to be applied for products in cold drinking water applications, temperatures temporarily up to maximum 45°C. Categorised in:
- Sealing elements: TPE materials that are intended to have a sealing function in elements in piping systems for the transport of cold drinking water.
- Non sealing: TPE materials that are intended to be applied in products or integrated parts in equipment and appliances, surface covers, etcetera without having a sealing function. Materials that comply with the requirements for subgroup sealing elements also comply with those for the subgroup non sealing.
The evaluation guideline BRL-K17505-1 is a certification scheme for the Kiwa product certificate for TPE materials for products in cold drinking water applications.
TPE sealing elements in cold drinking water applications (BRL K17505-2)
Kiwa Watermark product certification under Kiwa evaluation guideline BRL K17505-2 applies to TPE sealing elements in piping systems for the transport of cold drinking water, temperatures temporarily up to maximum 45°C.
The evaluation guideline BRL-K17505-1 is a certification scheme for TPE sealing elements in cold drinking water applications.
Adhesives for joints in thermoplastic piping systems for the transport of drinking water (BRL-K525)
Kiwa Watermark certification under Kiwa evaluation guideline BRLK525 applies to adhesives for joints in thermoplastic piping systems for the transport of drinking water.
Evaluation guideline BRL K525 specifies the functional requirements and test methods for adhesives used for joining the components of unplasticed poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC-U), chlorinated poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC-C), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) thermoplastic piping systems for the transport of drinking water.
This evaluation guideline is exclusively suitable for assessment of adhesives with accompanying cleaners under laboratory circumstances.
Lubricants for rubber ring joints (BRL-K535)
The Kiwa Watermark process certificate for lubricants for rubber ring joints is relevant for manufacturers or suppliers of lubricants for rubber rings in drinking water pipes made of concrete, asbestos cement, cast iron or steel, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and glass fiber reinforced them-hard plastics (GRP).
The lubricants should meet the toxicological, microbiological and organoleptic requirements laid down in the current Ministerial Regulation ‘Materials and chemicals for drinking and hot tap water supply’.
In addition, requirements are imposed on the shelf life, the workability and the adhesion to pipe materials, the influence on the mechanical properties of pipe materials and rubber rings and the friction-reducing effect.
The evaluation guideline BRL 535 contains the requirements for lubricants for connections with rubber rings in drinking water pipes for obtaining and maintaining the Kiwa product certificate.
Contact our certification experts in this area to study your question and work with you to find the right solution to obtain the Kiwa Watermark quality mark.
Kiwa Watermark certification process
Find certified companies and organizations
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DVGW Testing and Inspection
Testing and inspection for water and gas materials, components and products in accordance with various German DVGW evaluation guidelines to promote safety, hygiene and innovation – for the benefit of the environment and consumers.
Performance Testing for Rubbers and Adhesives
Kiwa testing on rubber and adhesives to have certification requirements validated and demonstrate compliance to national and international product standards.
KOMO Certification and Testing for Rubbers and Adhesives
Rubbers and adhesives for non-drinking water can be certified with the KOMO quality mark. KOMO quality statements under Kiwa evaluation guidelines BRL- 2013, BRL- 2020-1, BRL- 2020-2, BRL- 5220, BRL- 5221.
Additional information
About Kiwa Watermark by Kiwa
Kiwa's unique position benefits in obtaining and continuing the Kiwa quality mark for your products. Learn how.