Understanding EN 13828 for Brass Ball Valves

Technical standards are not the most glamorous subject in the world. We are fully aware of that. But they are the framework that separates a fitting you can trust in a building from one that might fail. And EN 13828 — the European standard for manually operated copper alloy and stainless steel ball valves for building services — is one of the standards that buyers importing into Europe need to understand in practical terms.

Here are the most useful parts of this standard explained clearly — what it covers, what it requires, and what compliance actually looks like in practice.

What EN 13828 Covers

The full title is: "Building valves — Manually operated copper alloy and stainless steel ball valves for potable water supply in buildings — Tests and requirements." It applies to the complete, finished valve — not to the brass it is made from.

The scope, as published by the standards bodies:

• First edition (2003): nominal sizes DN 8 to DN 100, rated PN 10, for a distribution temperature of 65 °C, with occasional excursions up to 90 °C for a maximum of one hour
• Current edition (2025): nominal sizes DN 6 to DN 100, rated PN 10 or PN 16, for systems up to PN 16 — the same temperature envelope — with revised design and test clauses
• Ball valves combined with other components in the same body are included

Note what this means: EN 13828 is a potable-water standard with a modest pressure and temperature envelope. A "PN 25" or "PN 40" ball valve, a gas valve or a heating valve is outside its scope — gas valves belong to EN 331, for example. A supplier who quotes EN 13828 for such a product has not read it.

What the Standard Requires

EN 13828 is built in four blocks. The exact test pressures, durations, torque limits and cycle numbers are laid down in the standard itself — the valve manufacturer's test report shows the values the valve was tested to.

Materials and Design

Which copper alloys and stainless steels may be used, how the valve is constructed, end connections and dimensions. Materials in contact with drinking water must additionally satisfy the hygiene rules of the country of installation — the standard does not replace them.

Mechanical Requirements

The body must withstand a hydrostatic strength test without leakage or permanent deformation, the stem and stops must survive defined torques and bending loads, and the valve must still operate and seal after a mechanical endurance test of repeated opening and closing. The endurance test is what separates a valve with durable seats from one whose seats deteriorate within the first few hundred operations.

Hydraulic Requirements

Leak-tightness of the closed valve (seat) and of the stem seal to atmosphere, and the flow characteristics of the open valve.

Acoustic Requirements

Valves in buildings are classified for the noise they generate — a requirement that industrial ball-valve standards do not have.

Dezincification Resistance

For copper alloy valves claiming dezincification resistance, resistance is demonstrated with the ISO 6509-1 test. The test yields a depth; the acceptance limit comes from the material standard — EN 12164 / EN 12165 allow a maximum of 100 μm for CW602N and 200 μm for CW625N / CW626N. Valves intended for markets where the plumbing rules call for dezincification-resistant brass — the UK for concealed fittings, Australia, Scandinavia — must pass this test.

Effect on Water Quality — Not Part of EN 13828

Whether a valve may be used with drinking water is decided by the hygiene regulations, not by EN 13828. Metallic materials are assessed for metal release (the long-term rig test is EN 15664-1) and must be on the accepted composition lists — from 31 December 2026 the European positive lists; non-metallic parts such as seats and O-rings are tested for odour, flavour and migration (in the UK to BS 6920). In the UK the route is a Regulation 4 approval such as WRAS.

What an EN 13828 Compliant Valve Should Include

A valve claiming EN 13828 compliance should be accompanied by:

1. The manufacturer's declaration of conformity with EN 13828 — the standard is not a harmonised standard under the Construction Products Regulation, so there is no CE mark or Declaration of Performance against it
2. Test reports from an accredited testing laboratory confirming the specific product has passed the relevant tests
3. Material certificates confirming the alloy specification — CW617N or DZR CW602N for valves under a national approval (usable until 31 December 2032), or a composition on the European positive list such as CW724R or CW510L
4. Marking on the valve body (or permanently attached label) showing: manufacturer identification, DN size, PN rating, and, where applicable, the dezincification-resistance mark ("CR" or "DZR" in the UK)

When in doubt, ask for the test report reference and check whether the testing laboratory cited is accredited by a national accreditation body (UKAS in the UK, DAkkS in Germany, etc.).

EN 13828 vs. BS 5154 (the Old UK Standard)

BS 5154 is the older British Standard for copper-alloy globe, check and gate valves; for ball valves in potable-water installations the European standard is EN 13828 (first published in 2003, current edition 2025). A globe, check or gate valve marked "to BS 5154" is therefore outside the scope of EN 13828 — the two standards cover different valve types. For new procurement, specify EN 13828 compliance and ask for the supporting test documentation.

Understanding the standard gives you power as a buyer. When a supplier says "it's CE marked and meets European standards," you now know the right follow-up question: "Which specific European standard, to which revision, and do you have the test report?" The answer tells you everything about whether the compliance is genuine or aspirational.

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Frequently asked questions

Sources & references

Standards references:

Last reviewed: September 2026. Standards and regulatory references are checked at each review.