ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 is the joint US and Canadian standard for ceramic plumbing fixtures, including WCs, basins and urinals. cUPC is a certification mark from IAPMO R&T showing that a product has been certified to the applicable American and Canadian codes and standards, which for a WC includes that ASME/CSA standard.
In short, ASME is the standard and cUPC is one of the marks that prove compliance with it. To sell WCs in the US or Canada, you need the product certified by an accredited body.
What the standard covers
ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 sets requirements for materials, dimensions and performance. For WCs, it covers flush performance and water use, and as of the current editions includes the waste extraction test that began in the WaterSense specification. A 2024 edition is in use on recent certificates.
- Flush tests such as waste extraction, granule and ball removal, surface wash and drainline transport.
- Water consumption at the stated flush volume, and limits on adjustability for high-efficiency models.
- Load tests on the bowl and seat fixing, and water absorption of the vitreous china body.
- Dimensional checks such as trapway size and rough-in.
What the marks mean
IAPMO R&T uses three related marks. The UPC mark shows compliance with applicable American codes and standards. The cUPC mark, with a small "c" at the 8 o'clock position, shows compliance with both American and Canadian requirements. A cIAPMO R&T mark covers Canadian standards only.
IAPMO R&T is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, and its marks are accepted across Canadian provinces and territories. Other accredited bodies, such as CSA Group, also certify plumbing fixtures to the same standard, with their own marks.
Marking and listing details
Certified ceramic fixtures must carry the manufacturer's name or registered trademark, legible after installation. WCs must be marked with their average water use per flush, and close-coupled models need the model number on both the tank and the bowl.
A certificate on paper is not proof of a current listing. IAPMO's own certificates say so. Check the model in the IAPMO R&T product listing directory, or the directory of the certifier named, before you order.
Can Indian WCs be certified?
Yes. Indian sanitaryware makers hold UPC and cUPC listings for vitreous china WCs and basins. As with WaterSense, certification belongs to a model and a listee, not to a country. Certification programmes include factory inspection and follow-up checks, so production must keep matching the tested product.
If you want your brand on the product, ask the certifier how a listing can be extended to a private-label brand. Private label sanitaryware covers the branding side.
What to ask the factory
- The listing number and certifier for each exact model, with the edition of ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 it covers.
- The test report showing flush performance and water use at the volume you will sell.
- Whether the fill valve and flush valve are the certified parts, since changing them can affect compliance.
- Whether the model also holds a WaterSense listing, explained in WaterSense and Indian toilets.
Next step
We check listings in the certifier's directory, compare production pieces with the listed model, and confirm markings at inspection. Book a free sourcing review.