When choosing a toilet—whether for a residential remodel, commercial installation, or export market—flush performance is everything. A poorly performing toilet leads to clogs, double flushes, and unhappy users. That’s where MaP testing comes in.
Short for Maximum Performance Testing, MaP has become the gold standard across North America and beyond for evaluating toilet flushing power. But what exactly is MaP testing, and why should manufacturers, contractors, and buyers care?
Let’s break it down.
What Is MaP Testing?
MaP Testing (Maximum Performance Testing) is an independent, standardized testing protocol developed in 2003 by water-efficiency experts in Canada and the United States. It simulates the flushing of human waste using specially formulated test media and measures how much a toilet can reliably remove in a single flush.
Key aspects of MaP testing:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Test Medium | Soybean paste & toilet paper (to mimic human waste) |
| Scoring Metric | Maximum grams flushed in a single attempt |
| Passing Score | 350 grams or more (the higher, the better) |
| Top Score | Up to 1000 grams (MaP PREMIUM rating for 600g+ with <4.0 L flush) |
| Independent Body | Jointly developed by Canadian & U.S. experts, not tied to any brand |
Unlike other tests that only check for water usage (like WaterSense), MaP evaluates real-world flushing performance—the one metric that matters most to users.
Why MaP Testing Became the Benchmark
In the early 2000s, water conservation regulations led to the rise of low-flush toilets. While good for the environment, many early models struggled with performance—leading to user frustration and frequent double flushes.
Enter MaP Testing, which introduced a reliable way to identify which toilets actually work while still conserving water.
Here’s why MaP is now considered the industry gold standard:
- Realistic Testing Conditions
Uses waste simulants that closely match real-world conditions, making results meaningful to consumers and engineers alike. - Transparent and Public Database
Results are publicly available at map-testing.com, where buyers and specifiers can compare toilets. - Performance-Driven Rankings
Toilets scoring 600g or more while using ≤4.0 liters (1.1 gallons) per flush earn a MaP PREMIUM label—ideal for green building projects. - Trusted by Authorities
MaP results are widely referenced in North American building codes, utility rebate programs, and LEED certifications.
How MaP Testing Works: Step-by-Step
Here’s how a MaP test is performed:
- Prepare the Test Load: 50-gram samples of soybean paste wrapped in toilet paper.
- Incrementally Increase Load: Begin flushing with a 250g load, increasing by 50g per test.
- Single Flush Only: Only one flush is allowed per attempt.
- Determine Maximum Removal: The toilet’s score is the highest load successfully removed in a single flush.
- Record Water Use: Toilets using ≤4.0L/flush and scoring ≥600g earn the coveted MaP PREMIUM label.
MaP vs Other Toilet Certifications
| Certification | Focus Area | Performance Tested? | Water Efficiency Focus | Independent? | Recognized in North America? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MaP Testing | Flush power (solid waste) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| WaterSense | Water usage only | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| UPC/cUPC | Plumbing standards/safety | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| ASME A112.19.2 | Dimensional & structural specs | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
While other certifications are essential for legal compliance and product safety, only MaP testing tells you how well a toilet actually flushes.
Who Should Care About MaP Testing?
MaP test scores are especially important for:
- Project Specifiers and Architects
Need high-performance toilets for green buildings or high-traffic environments. - Commercial Contractors
Avoiding clog-prone toilets reduces maintenance and improves tenant satisfaction. - Procurement Teams
Helps identify toilets that are both efficient and reliable, saving costs over time. - Retail Buyers & Brands
High MaP scores are a selling point in North American markets—especially where consumers are quality-conscious.
FAQs About MaP Testing
Q: Is a higher MaP score always better?
A: Yes, but anything over 600g is considered excellent. Most households rarely require more than that in typical usage.
Q: Can a toilet be MaP-tested and not WaterSense certified?
A: Yes. WaterSense focuses on water use, not flush performance. Some high-performing toilets might not qualify for WaterSense due to slightly higher water usage.
Q: How do I find MaP scores?
A: Visit the official MaP Testing database at www.map-testing.com, where thousands of models are listed with their scores.
Q: Does MaP testing apply to dual-flush toilets?
A: Yes, but only the full flush cycle is evaluated in standard MaP testing.
Q: Is MaP testing required by law?
A: Not mandatory, but widely referenced in voluntary green building programs and government rebate incentives.
Final Thoughts: Why MaP Scores Matter More Than Ever
In a world where sustainability is increasingly important, buyers often look for toilets that save water. But efficiency means little without performance.
MaP Testing bridges that gap—helping manufacturers, specifiers, and end users choose products that deliver powerful flushes with minimal water. For any toilet intended for the North American market, a high MaP score is no longer a luxury—it’s a must-have.
If your business manufactures toilets and aims to enter the U.S. or Canadian markets, ensuring your models meet or exceed MaP testing standards can significantly enhance market competitiveness. Factories offering OEM and ODM services can also gain an edge by integrating MaP-tested performance into product design and marketing.
Need help developing MaP-compliant toilet models for export? Work with a production partner experienced in MaP, WaterSense, and cUPC standards to ensure both compliance and performance.