The BIM specification for sanitaryware

The adoption of BIM (Building Information Modelling) in Italy is no longer merely a forward-looking choice, but a necessity driven by regulatory and market developments. With the obligation introduced by the new Public Procurement Code for projects exceeding €2 million from 2025, every building component must evolve into an information-rich “digital twin”.
In this context, sanitaryware has a unique role: it is not simply an architectural element, but the interface between physical space and building systems. Since 2019, Confindustria Ceramica has undertaken an ambitious programme to develop dedicated BIM specifications for three main product categories: ceramic tiles, clay products and, most recently, sanitaryware.
In digital terms, the BIM specification constitutes a structured data template defining product characteristics (properties grouped into “property sets”), guiding manufacturers in the development of their BIM digital catalogues. It is not merely a technical tool, but a cultural framework aimed at integrating design, regulatory, environmental and digital requirements, with the objective of enhancing high-quality Made in Italy products.
Its purpose is to provide architects, engineers and both public and private clients with a single, reliable reference aligned with national and international standards for the integration of sanitaryware into BIM models.

Regulatory and legislative context
The digitalisation of the construction sector is now a well-established global trend, supported by an increasingly robust regulatory framework. In Italy, the Public Procurement Code (Legislative Decree 36/2023) places digitalisation at its core and dedicates Appendix I9 almost entirely to BIM. The Code makes BIM mandatory for all public projects exceeding €2 million, while also allowing voluntary adoption by contracting authorities.
This is part of a broader international movement initiated by Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement, which promotes the use of digital tools such as BIM to improve efficiency, transparency and sustainability. The European push towards digitalisation now extends to multiple areas of the construction sector, including the Digital Product Passport, the new CPR, DoPC and SmartCE, all based on interoperable and BIM-compatible data structures.
At the same time, international standards such as the ISO 19650 series provide clear guidelines for information management throughout the lifecycle of built assets. Within this framework, construction product manufacturers are required to deliver structured, interoperable data that meets the expectations of clients and BIM platforms.

The BIM Specification for Sanitaryware
The BIM Specification for Sanitaryware was developed through a collaborative and participatory approach, involving a multidisciplinary team of representatives from leading member companies, coordinated by Confindustria Ceramica.
The specification pursues three main objectives:

1. to provide a standardised data structure for the digital representation of ceramic sanitaryware, ensuring consistency, quality and completeness;
2. to facilitate the integration of digital products into BIM processes for design, costing, building management and maintenance;
3. to support sustainability through the digital traceability of materials, environmental performance and product lifecycle.

It covers the main sanitaryware product families used in the residential sector: washbasins, WCs, bidets, shower trays, bathtubs and urinals.

Building on previous initiatives in the tiles and clay products sectors, the BIM Specification for Sanitaryware defines a technical data template of product characteristics which, without imposing rigid constraints, provides manufacturers with guidance and rules for correct BIM implementation when developing their digital catalogues. It effectively acts as a standardised “digital identity card”, including:
    •    geometric properties (dimensions, shapes, clearances);
    •    technical properties (materials, finishes, resistance, system compatibility);
    •    informational properties (codes and certifications);
    •    environmental properties (recycled content, LCA impact, durability).
The template has been designed to be interoperable with major BIM software platforms (Revit, Archicad, ARCHline.XP, Allplan, etc.) and compliant with the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) standard, ensuring broad usability and adoption. Without such a shared framework, manufacturers would provide data in inconsistent formats, making it difficult for designers to manage them effectively.

 

The dual nature: architectural and MEP
The BIM object is designed to meet the needs of designers, installers and building managers alike, in particular:

• architectural and aesthetic requirements: the model must accurately reflect the design and visual impact of the product;
• functional and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) requirements: the data template must provide all the information needed to integrate sanitaryware into building systems without errors.

When these requirements are met, the operator becomes the primary vehicle for product selection, evolving from a simple user into an “ambassador” of the product towards the end client.
For architects, a BIM object must not only appear correctly in renderings, but also support regulatory compliance, spatial coordination, classification and sustainability requirements. For MEP engineers, the BIM object represents a component of the hydraulic system, complete with connectors and flow logic. It defines the exact position, diameter and system type (e.g. domestic cold water, sanitary drainage) of each connection—essential data for accurate pipe sizing.

From supplier to strategic partner
Manufacturers of sanitaryware that invest in BIM models move beyond the role of simple suppliers to become knowledge partners, offering compliant designs, reliable data and technical expertise. This reduces costly on-site modifications and minimises design errors.
The BIM Specification for Sanitaryware acts as a bridge between the excellence of Made in Italy products and the “digital construction site”. It enables manufacturers to ensure that their products are correctly selected and seamlessly integrated into BIM processes, improving both project efficiency and sustainability across the entire building lifecycle.
This initiative represents a compelling example of how an industrial sector can proactively address the challenges of digitalisation and sustainability through practical tools. At a time when data, traceability and environmental responsibility are central to the construction value chain, it marks a significant step towards a more efficient and circular future.