Overview
CEN ISO/TS 15874-7:2018 - Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Polypropylene (PP) - Part 7: Guidance for the assessment of conformity - provides requirements and practical guidance for assessing conformity of polypropylene (PP) compounds, products and assemblies used in building hot and cold water and heating systems. It is intended to be included in a manufacturer’s quality plan and to support the establishment of certification procedures. The Technical Specification updates and supersedes the 2003 edition and includes a basic test matrix (Annex A) to assist readers.
Key topics and requirements
This document focuses on conformity assessment and testing organization rather than new material performance limits. Major technical topics include:
- Grouping principles
- Pressure groups, size groups and fitting groups to rationalize testing and apply results across related products.
- Types of tests and their roles
- Type testing (TT): initial characterization and validation of product families (noting a revised emphasis on TT, including Table 4 in the TS).
- Batch release tests (BRT): routine checks to confirm production batches meet specified criteria.
- Process verification tests (PVT): assessment of manufacturing processes and controls.
- Audit tests (AT): sampling and testing to verify ongoing conformity.
- Indirect tests (IT): alternative evidence or surrogate measurements acceptable for conformity decisions.
- Test records and documentation
- Requirements for recording results and integrating tests into the manufacturer’s quality management system.
- Certification and conformity bodies
- Guidance on the role of certification and inspection bodies; certification bodies are preferably compliant with ISO/IEC 17065.
Applications
- Applies to PP piping systems used for the conveyance of water within buildings - domestic potable water and heating systems - under design pressures and temperatures appropriate to the application class (see ISO 15874-1:2013 for classes).
- Used to develop or harmonize:
- Manufacturer quality plans and factory production control.
- Third-party certification schemes and national certification procedures.
- Test programs for new or modified PP pipe, fitting and assembly ranges.
Who should use this standard
- PP piping system manufacturers and compound suppliers
- Certification bodies and inspection bodies
- Test laboratories and quality managers
- Standards committees and regulatory authorities involved in plumbing and heating system approvals
Related standards
- ISO 15874 series (Parts 1, 2, 3, 5 referenced explicitly)
- ISO/IEC 17065 (certification body competence)
- Other ISO system standards for hot/cold water piping (e.g., PE-X, PB, PVC‑C) for cross-reference
This guidance helps streamline conformity assessment for polypropylene piping systems, providing structured testing approaches, grouping logic and documentation practices needed by manufacturers and third-party certifiers.