prEN 12909
(Main)Products used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Anthracite
- Abstract
This document is applicable to anthracite used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. This document describes the characteristics of anthracite and specifies the requirements and the corresponding test methods for anthracite. This document gives information on the use of anthracite in water treatment.
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 09-Dec-2027
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 164 - Water supply
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 164/WG 9 - Drinking water treatment
- Current Stage
- 4020 - Submission to enquiry - Enquiry
- Start Date
- 24-Sep-2026
- Due Date
- 27-Aug-2026
- Completion Date
- 24-Sep-2026
prEN 12909 is a CEN draft European Standard for anthracite used in the treatment of water intended for human consumption. It specifies the characteristics, minimum requirements and test methods for anthracite, and gives information on its use in water treatment. It is intended for suppliers, laboratories and water treatment users who need a common basis for product specification and conformity checking.
What does prEN 12909 specify?
prEN 12909 applies to anthracite used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the product, sets requirements for its physical and chemical properties, and links those requirements to test methods.
The document is organized into:
- Scope
- Normative references
- Terms and definitions
- Description
- Physical properties
- Chemical properties
- Test methods
- Labelling, transportation and storage
- Informative Annex A with general information on anthracite
Annex A gives background information rather than requirements, including origin, typical properties, use and handling.
What are the key requirements of prEN 12909?
prEN 12909 focuses on whether anthracite is suitable as a filter material for drinking water treatment and how that suitability is checked in practice.
Product description and appearance
Clause 4 identifies anthracite as carbon, with the common name natural anthracite. Clause 5 describes it as a black, lustrous granular material that should be generally homogeneous and visibly free from extraneous matter. In practice, the product should look and behave like clean filter media, not contaminated fuel or mixed solids.
Particle size control
Clause 5.2 requires particle size distribution to be determined on samples taken at the point of manufacture using EN 12902. The document allows specification by effective size, uniformity coefficient and minimum size, or by particle size range with limits for oversize and undersize. Those limits depend on the application, such as multimedia filters, single media filters or support layers. For buyers, this means the declared size range must match the filter design.
Density requirements
Clause 5.3 sets ranges for bulk density in loose and packed condition. These values matter because they affect transport quantity, bed depth calculations, backwashing behavior and filter hydraulics.
Chemical composition limits
Clause 6 sets minimum purity requirements for the commercial product:
- carbon content on a water- and ash-free basis
- ash content
- volatile matter
Clause 6 also says that other impurities or additives present because of the raw material or process should be notified to the user, and when necessary to relevant authorities. In practice, users should ask for disclosure of non-routine impurities that may affect water treatment or regulatory review.
Sampling and test methods
Clause 7 requires laboratory samples to be prepared in accordance with EN 12902. Only samples taken at the production site are valid for conformity assessment under this document. Clause 7 also points all listed analyses - particle size, loose and packed bulk density, carbon, ash and volatile matter - to EN 12902 methods. That keeps supplier testing and customer acceptance testing aligned.
Labelling, transport and storage
Clause 8 requires delivery in bags, semi-bulk containers or bulk, with clean delivery means. Marking must include the name Anthracite, trade name and particle size range, net mass or volume, supplier or manufacturer details, and a statement of conformity with EN 12909. The product can be stored for an unlimited period under dry, clean conditions, with packaging protected from direct sunlight and UV radiation.
What terms does prEN 12909 define?
prEN 12909 uses the terms and definitions in EN 12901, and it builds on a few practical terms used throughout the document:
- Effective size - the particle size value used to characterize the media’s main grain size.
- Uniformity coefficient - an indicator of how narrow or broad the particle size distribution is.
- Oversize - particles larger than the specified particle size range.
- Undersize - particles smaller than the specified particle size range.
- Bulk density (loose) - the density of anthracite when poured without packing.
- Bulk density (packed) - the density after the material has been packed.
- Support layer - a layer of media that supports filtration media in a filter bed.
- Single media filter - a filter using one filter medium rather than multiple media layers.
Who uses prEN 12909?
prEN 12909 is used by anthracite manufacturers, water treatment plant designers, filter media suppliers, testing laboratories, quality managers and buyers. They use it to specify particle size and purity, verify test results, prepare delivery documentation and check whether a batch is suitable for drinking water treatment.
What changed in prEN 12909 from the previous edition?
prEN 12909 is intended to supersede EN 12909:2012. The European foreword states one technical change: the ash content in Table 1 in Clause 6 has been updated.
Which standards are used with prEN 12909?
- EN 12901 - provides the definitions, terms and symbols used with this document.
- EN 12902 - provides the test methods used for sampling and for the physical and chemical analyses named in Clauses 5 and 7.
What does the prEN 12909 document contain?
The document contains the product description, the property requirements, the linked test methods and the rules for labelling, delivery and storage. Table 1 gives the required composition of the commercial product. Annex A adds background data such as the raw material, manufacturing steps, typical chemical composition, mechanical strength, example particle size ranges, density ranges, use in open or closed single or multimedia filters, and notes on handling and emergency procedures.
The document also gives practical notes that matter in use: particle size can change during transport and handling, filter performance depends on size and density, and anthracite should not be taken from a customer site sample for conformity assessment because transport can change representativeness.
Relations
- Revises
EN 12909:2012 - Products used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Anthracite - Effective Date
- 08-Jun-2022
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Frequently Asked Questions
prEN 12909 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Products used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Anthracite". This standard covers: This document is applicable to anthracite used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. This document describes the characteristics of anthracite and specifies the requirements and the corresponding test methods for anthracite. This document gives information on the use of anthracite in water treatment.
This document is applicable to anthracite used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. This document describes the characteristics of anthracite and specifies the requirements and the corresponding test methods for anthracite. This document gives information on the use of anthracite in water treatment.
prEN 12909 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 71.100.80 - Chemicals for purification of water. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
prEN 12909 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 12909:2012. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
prEN 12909 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2026
Proizvodi, ki se uporabljajo za pripravo pitne vode - Antracit
Products used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Anthracite
Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch - Anthrazit
Produits utilisés pour le traitement de l’eau destinée à la consommation humaine -
Anthracite
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 12909
ICS:
13.060.20 Pitna voda Drinking water
71.100.80 Kemikalije za čiščenje vode Chemicals for purification of
water
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2026
ICS 71.100.80 Will supersede EN 12909:2012
English Version
Products used for treatment of water intended for human
consumption - Anthracite
Produits utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau destinée à Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den
la consommation humaine - Anthracite menschlichen Gebrauch - Anthrazit
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 164.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 12909:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Description . 5
4.1 Identification . 5
4.1.1 Chemical name . 5
4.1.2 Synonym or common name . 5
4.2 Commercial forms . 5
5 Physical properties . 5
5.1 Appearance . 5
5.2 Particle size distribution . 6
5.3 Density . 6
5.3.1 Bulk density, loose. 6
5.3.2 Bulk density, packed . 6
6 Chemical properties . 6
7 Test methods . 7
7.1 Sampling . 7
7.2 Analysis . 7
7.2.1 Particle size distribution . 7
7.2.2 Bulk density, loose. 7
7.2.3 Bulk density, packed . 7
7.2.4 Content of carbon . 7
7.2.5 Ash . 7
7.2.6 Content of volatile material . 7
8 Labelling, transportation and storage. 8
8.1 Means of delivery . 8
8.2 Labelling . 8
8.3 Transportation . 8
8.4 Marking . 8
8.5 Storage (long-term stability) . 8
Annex A (informative) General information on anthracite . 9
Bibliography . 12
European foreword
This document (prEN 12909:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 164 “Water
Supply”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 12909:2012.
In comparison with the previous edition, the following technical modifications have been made:
— Updating the ash content in Table 1 (Clause 6).
Introduction
In respect of potential adverse effects on the quality of water intended for human consumption caused
by the product covered by this document:
a) this document provides no information as to whether the product may be used without restriction in
any of the Member States of the EU or EFTA;
b) it should be noted that, while awaiting the adoption of verifiable European criteria, existing national
regulations concerning the use and/or the characteristics of this product remain in force.
NOTE Conformity with this document does not confer or imply acceptance or approval of the product in any of
the Member States of the EU or EFTA. The use of the product covered by this document is subject to regulation or
control by National Authorities.
1 Scope
This document is applicable to anthracite used for treatment of water intended for human consumption.
This document describes the characteristics of anthracite and specifies the requirements and the
corresponding test methods for anthracite. This document gives information on the use of anthracite in
water treatment.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 12901, Products used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Inorganic supporting
and filtering materials - Definitions
EN 12902, Products used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Inorganic supporting
and filtering materials - Methods of test
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms, definitions and symbols given in EN 12901 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Description
4.1 Identification
4.1.1 Chemical name
Carbon.
4.1.2 Synonym or common name
Natural anthracite.
4.2 Commercia
...