Waterproofing beneath ceramic tiling bonded with adhesives refers to waterproofing systems consisting of multiple components (tile adhesive, surface waterproofing, sealing tapes and collars for flashings and counter-flashings). One of the waterproofing components is a liquid applied waterproofing product or a waterproofing membrane, sheet or plate. The waterproofing is created in combination with the tile layer.

Regulatory framework

Regulatory requirements only extend to waterproofing products used in areas with very high water exposure. These include:

• wet rooms in which there is very frequent or long-lasting contact with commercial, industrial or grey water (e.g. shower facilities or areas around swimming pools)
• enclosures holding water (e.g. swimming pools)
• wet rooms where chemicals are used to a limited extend (e.g. commercial kitchens and laundromats).

Bathrooms in houses or hotels are generally considered not to fall in this category of very high water exposure. However, the final categorisation is the responsibility of the competent designer.

Waterproofing products used in the areas considered relevant from a regulatory point of view are subject to a national technical test certificate (abP), cf. MVV TB, Section C 3. National technical test certificates are issued by testing laboratories officially recognised for this purpose, as listed in the Directory of recognised testing laboratories, inspection and certification bodies (PÜZ-Verzeichnis, see column on the right). The testing laboratories also carry out the corresponding testing and external surveillance. Please submit your application directly to a qualified testing laboratory.

As a European Technical Assessment Body, DIBt can also issue European Technical Assessments (ETAs) for these waterproofing products based on European Assessment Documents (EADs) still to be developed or already existing, such as

• EAD 030400-xx-0605 Waterproofing kit based on polymeric membranes for in- and outdoor walls and floors of wet areas and swimming pools
• EAD 030352-xx-0503  Liquid applied watertight covering kits for wet room floors and/or walls (superseding ETAG 022-1)
• EAD 030436-xx-0503 Watertight covering kits based on flexible sheets for wet room floors and/or walls (superseding ETAG 022-2).
• EAD 030437-xx-0503 , Watertight covering kits based on inherently watertight boards for wet room floors and/or walls (superseding ETAG 022-3)

Appication rules for these waterproofing products and kits as well as for products in accordance with EN 14891 (outdoor area) are set out in MVV TB, Section B 2.2.5.

Rules for the design and execution are set out in the design standards DIN 18534 (wet rooms) and DIN 18535 (tanks and pools). Prefabricated wet rooms are not regulated separately. The technical rules relevant to each individual component apply.