NOM-002-CONAGUA-2021 is an Official Mexican Standard that establishes specifications, test methods, and labeling requirements for sanitary appliances and accessories that discharge into gravity-fed sewerage systems, focusing on water efficiency and hydraulic performance. The standard consolidates and updates previous regulations to promote water conservation, ensure product quality, and streamline compliance for manufacturers and importers in Mexico.
Table of Contents
NOM-002-CONAGUA-2021: Scope and Applicability
The standard applies to sanitary appliances and their accessories used in residential, commercial, or institutional settings, which discharge into gravity-fed sewerage systems.
Covered products include
- Toilets: All variations of gravity flush-tank models (including dual-flush and high-efficiency units) and flushometer-valve types (both manual and electronic sensor-based).
- Urinals: Specifically those designed for liquid waste, covering models that utilize water for cleaning and those designed for waterless operation.
- Accessories: This includes the internal “guts” of the system, such as fill valves (anti-siphon), flush valves, seals, gaskets, and both manual and automated flushometers. It also covers hydraulic connection components that are vital for preventing leaks.
Products not included in NOM-002-CONAGUA-2021
- Covers, seats, and non-hydraulic components.
- Latrines, vehicle toilets (land/marine), and waterless training toilets.
It applies to new products manufactured, imported, or sold in Mexico, emphasizing water-saving technologies and reliable operation.
Key Requirements
1. Water Efficiency Specifications:
- Toilets:
- Standard toilets: Maximum discharge of 4.8 liters per flush.
- Ecological toilets: ≤ 3.95 liters per flush.
- Urinals:
- Standard urinals: ≤ 1 liter per flush.
- Waterless urinals: 0 liters.
- Ecological urinals: ≤ 0.5 liters.
- Aims to reduce water consumption, addressing Mexico’s water scarcity challenges.
2. Performance Requirements:
- Hydraulic Operation: Ensures effective waste removal and bowl cleaning at specified flush volumes.
- Seal Tightness: Valves and seals must prevent leaks under low and high pressure (e.g., 25 kPa to 860 kPa).
- Durability: Components must withstand repeated cycles (e.g., 100,000 flushes for valves) without failure.
- Backflow Prevention: Fill valves must include mechanisms to avoid water contamination.
3. Test Methods:
Evaluation is conducted in accredited laboratories using standardized protocols to ensure objective results.
- Based on Mexican standards (e.g., NMX series) and aligned with international protocols (e.g., ASME A112.19.2, adapted for Mexico).
- Tests include:
- Flush volume measurement.
- Waste extraction (e.g., using test media like plastic balls or paper).
- Pressure resistance (static and dynamic).
- Endurance cycling for valves and flushometers.
- Dye tests for siphonic action and water exchange.
4. Labeling:
Products must feature clear, permanent, and legible markings to inform the consumer. This includes the manufacturer’s name, the model identification, and the specific water consumption in liters per flush. For a product to be legally marketed in Mexico, it must prominently display the symbol of compliance with NOM-002-CONAGUA-2021, ensuring the buyer that the unit meets all national environmental and quality standards.
5. Compliance:
Requires a single Certificate of Conformity from accredited bodies, simplifying the previous requirement of three separate certificates (for toilets, fill valves, and flush valves).
Purpose and Enforcement:
The standard addresses Mexico’s water conservation needs, as toilets and urinals account for significant household and commercial water use (up to 30% indoors). NOM-002-CONAGUA-2021 replaces three older standards:
- NOM-005-CONAGUA-1996 (Flushometers).
- NOM-009-CONAGUA-2001 (Toilets).
- NOM-010-CONAGUA-2000 (Valves for toilet tanks).
By integrating these into one regulation, it eliminates redundant certifications, reduces regulatory costs, and incorporates modern water-saving technologies. Enforcement is managed by:
- CONAGUA for technical oversight.
- PROFECO for market inspections and consumer protection.
- Customs authorities for import verification.
Non-compliance—such as exceeding flush limits or lacking certification—can lead to fines, product seizures, or sales bans.
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