What is ISO 12809 about?
ISO 12809 is a standard that provides technical specifications for testing of reciprocating and centrifugal pumps which fall under crop protection equipment.
ISO 12809 specifies test methods and the environmental conditions for evaluating the performance of reciprocating positive displacement pumps and centrifugal pumps designed for crop protection equipment. ISO 12809 is applicable when defining the performance of stand-alone pumps or pumps that are installed on a sprayer.
Note: ISO 12809 does not apply to - pesticide metering pumps for injection systems.
Who is ISO 12809 for?
ISO 12809 on test methods for reciprocating and centrifugal pumps is applicable to:
- Manufacturers of pumps and pump systems
- Quality control personnel
- Dealers and importers of reciprocating and centrifugal pumps
Why should you use ISO 12809?
A positive displacement pump uses mechanical energy to displace or push water from one location to another. The fluid is moved through the pump by rotatory action in a centrifugal pump. Both these pumps have agricultural applications such as crop protection. Therefore, efficiency and performance are important factors to increase crop yields.
ISO 12809 helps you to identify the performance requirements like flow rate, rotating speed, and power consumption for reciprocating and centrifugal pumps. ISO 12809 provides you with test methods for two types of pump systems to measure these values, they are:
- Stand-alone pump
- Pump installed on the sprayer
These test methods of ISO 12809 help you to identify the technical specifications of your pumps, this helps you to evaluate the quality of your products.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS ISO 12809:2020 supersedes BS ISO 12809:2011, which is now withdrawn.
Changes in BS ISO 12809:2020 include -
- The definitions for the following terms have been modified: 3.1 reciprocating positive displacement pump, 3.2 centrifugal pump, 3.12 air vent line
- In Clause 4, text has been added to better specify the test on pump installed on the sprayer
- In Clause 5, more specification about the test liquid has been provided.
- In 7.2, Figure 2 and related text have been added to better specify how to manage test with centrifugal pumps.
- The following subclauses have been improved: 7.3, 7.3.1, 7.3.2, 7.3.3, 7.3.3.1, 7.3.3.2, 7.3.3.3
- A new Annex B has been added

