Plumbing Fixture EPDs in Europe: The Data‑Based Guide
Making or selling faucets, tapware, showers or sanitaryware in Europe and planning an EPD in 2026? Here is the complete, numbers‑first read on who is publishing, which program operators dominate, the PCRs being used, and when renewals will hit so you can time budgets and launches with zero surprises.
The 2026 landscape at a glance
Plumbing Fixtures in Europe shows 40 currently valid EPDs issued in the last five years, across 10 manufacturers and 2 program operators. Five distinct PCRs are in play. The latest EPD in this set was issued on May 2, 2025 by Dolphin Solutions with EPD Hub under EN 50693:2019 and runs to Nov 1, 2026.
The release pattern is lopsided. 2023 carried the wave, which matters for renewal timing a few years out.
EPDs issued per year
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Who is publishing EPDs
One manufacturer, Hydrotec (UK) Ltd, accounts for 29 of the 40 EPDs, which means nearly three quarters of the footprint sits with a single player. The rest is a long tail of single‑digit publishers such as Broen A/S, European Copper Institute, Teknova AB, Roper Rhodes, Dolphin Solutions, Saint‑Gobain, Pipelife Finland, Georg Fischer Waga and Wolseley. That kind of asymmetric output often reflects a portfolio push where many SKUs are covered in a single planning window.
If you compete with Hydrotec or sell adjacent products like valves, tapware or flushing systems, this density means specifiers will regularly find comparable declarations in their files. Showing up late without an EPD can force discounts to stay in the bid mix.
Program operators used, and what it signals
This category is effectively a two‑operator market. EPD Hub hosts 38 EPDs from 8 manufacturers. EPD International AB hosts 2 EPDs from 2 manufacturers. The volume skew is clear, yet the manufacturer diversity at EPD Hub suggests it is not just a single‑brand effect. If you are new to EPDs, that diversity is a practical hint that peers can and do publish there, while still leaving you free to choose any operator.
A quick note on interpretation. Operator shares do not judge quality. They simply show where competitors have been publishing, which affects discoverability among design teams who tend to revisit familiar registries.
At Hydrotec or competing with them?
Follow us for a product-by-product analysis to uncover which plumbing fixtures get spec'd and where EPD gaps could impact your bids.
PCRs in play, and how to pick the right one
Think of a PCR as the rulebook of Monopoly. Ignore it and the game falls apart. In Plumbing Fixtures we see five PCRs being used, and they are not equal in volume or runway.
- EPD Hub Core PCR version 1.0, Feb 1, 2022 anchors 36 EPDs, with the latest expiry on Jan 22, 2029. This is the common path today.
- EN 50693:2019 appears once, expiring Nov 1, 2026. That is an electronics and electrical PCR, likely chosen for a sensor‑enabled unit. Treat this as an outlier unless your product truly behaves like an electronic device in scope.
- EN 15804‑based options via EPD International AB show up in two single‑EPD entries with expiries on Dec 21, 2027 and Mar 29, 2028.
- A category‑specific Part B for Bathroom fittings and showers appears once, with a far‑future expiry on Apr 3, 2030, hinting at a more tailored path for mixers and showers going forward.
PCRs used for Plumbing Fixtures EPDs in Europe
| PCR | EPDs | Latest expiry |
|---|---|---|
| EPD Hub Core PCR v1.0, 1 Feb 2022 | 36 | Jan 22, 2029 |
| EN 50693:2019 Electronic and electrical products | 1 | Nov 1, 2026 |
| PCR 2019:14 Construction products (EN 15804:A2) | 1 | Dec 21, 2027 |
| PCR 2019:14 Construction products (EN 15804:A2) 1.2.5 | 1 | Mar 29, 2028 |
| Part B: Bathroom fittings and showers | 1 | Apr 3, 2030 |
How to choose. Two lenses matter commercially. First, fit. If your product is a faucet, shower system or sanitaryware component, the Bathroom fittings Part B or a widely used construction PCR keeps you comparable to peers. Second, runway. A PCR that pushes expiries into 2029 or 2030 reduces near‑term churn on updates. Typical EPD validity windows are five years, which is why the 2028 cluster below deserves attention from teams that published in 2023 (EPD International, 2024).
The renewal wave you can forecast today
Here is the expiry outlook for the next five calendar years across this set.
- 2026 has 1 expiry, tied to the single EN 50693 EPD on Nov 1.
- 2027 has 2 expiries, one on Nov 11 and one on Dec 21.
- 2028 has 34 expiries, the big one, with a span from Jan 9 through Dec 21.
- 2029 has 2 expiries, currently both on Jan 22.
- 2030 has 1 expiry on Apr 3.
Translation into action. If you published in 2023, budget and kick off your data refresh in early 2027 so you are not queuing with everyone else in 2028. The ROI tends to favor on‑time renewal because bids do not stall over an about‑to‑expire document. Nobody wants that last‑minute scramble the week a tender drops.
Most EPDs are delivered with a consultant or service provider
Of the 40 EPDs, 37 were released with the help of an external EPD service provider, roughly 93 percent. That is the norm in construction materials where collecting energy, mass‑balance, transport and packaging data across several plants can consume scarce engineering time. If you want a white‑glove path that keeps your team on core work, consider an EPD consultant. For example, Parq pairs a purpose‑built workflow with a hands‑on data team so manufacturers can move fast without trading off dependible quality.
Notably absent or hard to find in the public registry
As of Jan 20, 2026, several well‑known European brands are visible with current EPDs in the public registry used by specifiers, including GROHE, Hansgrohe, Geberit, Oras, Villeroy & Boch and Duravit. Two names are not currently visible in this public registry set for Plumbing Fixtures in Europe: Roca Group and Franke. They may publish in national portals or under different corporate entities and categories that are not mirrored here. If these are your direct competitors, it is worth checking whether that gap is real in your specific subcategory and market.
Operator choice, simplified
If you are starting today, follow the competitive center of gravity. That often means using the same operator your closest peers use, which maximizes findability in spec workflows. If you need a different operator for portfolio reasons, the data shows it is doable. Plan PCR choice and bill of materials alignment first, then set the operator.
What this means for your 2026 plan
- If you do not have an EPD and compete in faucets, mixers, showers or sanitary ceramics, the field is still open. A well scoped, product‑specific EPD can move you from disqualified to shortlisted in many tenders.
- If you published in 2023, line up resources for a smooth renewal and PCR check in 2027.
- If your product includes electronics like sensors, be careful with EN 50693. It can fit, yet most competitors will sit under construction‑specific PCRs where buyers compare like for like.
Data notes and a standing offer
This article reflects what we see in the global public registry most architects and specifiers actually search. Due to loading delays, the final half of 2025 may not be fully represented yet. If you want the complete, up‑to‑date background dataset, or a quick, free steer on the best‑fit PCR for your upcoming EPD based on your competitive set, connect with me on LinkedIn and send a short message. I am happy to hop on a quick call and share the data so you can make a definitley informed call.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Plumbing Fixtures EPDs are currently valid in Europe and who is publishing them?
There are 40 valid EPDs from the last five years across 10 manufacturers. One company, Hydrotec (UK) Ltd, accounts for 29 of these, with the remainder split among nine other manufacturers.
Which program operators are most used for Plumbing Fixtures EPDs in Europe?
EPD Hub hosts 38 EPDs across 8 manufacturers, while EPD International AB hosts 2 EPDs across 2 manufacturers. This shows a strong center of gravity at EPD Hub for this category.
Which PCRs are most common and what expiries should I watch?
EPD Hub Core PCR v1.0 (Feb 1, 2022) covers 36 EPDs with latest expiry Jan 22, 2029. A Bathroom fittings and showers Part B appears once with an Apr 3, 2030 expiry, and EN 50693 appears once with Nov 1, 2026. The heavy renewal wave is in 2028 with 34 expiries.
Do most manufacturers use an external consultant to produce EPDs?
Yes. 37 of 40 EPDs, about 93 percent, list an external EPD service provider. This reflects the time burden of data collection and verification in multi‑plant environments.
When should I start preparing if my EPD was issued in 2023?
Plan work in 2027 to avoid the 2028 renewal rush and to validate whether a newer PCR offers better fit or runway. Typical validity windows are five years (EPD International, 2024).
About the Author
With a passion for sustainability and a love for complex data, Toby helps manufacturers efficiently collect data from across their organization and get their EPDs done right. He’s especially interested in how AI can support human expertise, helping R&D and factory teams work faster, smarter, and with less friction.
