The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approves products based on the the requirements in the Water Quality (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 for use in domestic and commercial plumbing systems in the UK.

Approval is normally based on conformity with the Regulators Specifications, these are 206 individual Test Code Sheets (TCS) which deal with all aspects of the fittings use including: waste; misuse; undue consumption and contamination of water.

WRc-NSF is the UK's largest test laboratory for water fittings and has been carrying out testing for approval against the TCS for over 30 years. Over this time WRc-NSF has built up an unparalleled knowledge of these requirements.

Types of Fittings

WRc-NSF tests water fittings for compliance with the Regulators Specifications which are accepted by the Water Supply Industry. Among the products and appliances tested are:

Backflow prevention devices
Backnuts
Cisterns
Cylinders
Expansion vessels
Ferrules
Filters and strainers
Fittings for use with tube and pipe
Float operated electrical switches
Floats
Heaters
Pumps
Radiators
Sacrificial anodes
Switch
Tanks
Combination taps
Taps

Animal drinking troughs
Automatic public convenience
Baths
Bidet appliances
Boilers
Calorifiers
Car and vehicle wash plants
Cleaning equipment
Close coupled WC suites
Combination hot water units
Control assemblies
Disposal units
Dosing equipment
Fittings and pipe
Haemodialysis machines
Handwash units
Washdown WC pans
Tubes

Heat exchangers
Heat pumps
Hot water rinse kits
Humidifiers
Ice making machines
Plumbing units
Potato peeling machine
Steaming ovens
Unvented heating apparatus
Vending machines
Wall kettles
Washing machines
Water distillation units
Water softeners
Water conditioners
Water meters
Valves

Help at the Early Stages

Ideally, please contact us at the design stage or when you are looking at a product to import, we can help at this stage by assessing if a product is likely to be acceptable before expense has been incurred. We can also advise on the likely test requirements, time required to get approval and costs.

Many manufacturers make use of materials that are already WRAS Approved. A full list of WRAS Approved Materials can be found on the WRAS Website. Many materials on this list can be used without further testing, these includes all coating, thermoplastics and lubricants (NB under certain circumstances additional testing is required for acetal and polyphenyleneoxide). Elastomeric components listed in the directory can normally used without further testing although elastomeric materials listing will require additional testing (for more information please see Appendix A of the WRAS Guidance Notes). Please note that WRAS does not approve metallic materials.

Approved fitting, such as check valves and hoses, many be used in appliances for approval without the need for further testing, these are listed in the Fittings Section of the Water Fittings and Materials Directory.

Testing of preproduction samples can be carried out, but additional testing may be required on final production samples.

How to get a Product WRAS Approved

To make a formal application for testing please complete an F2 Form. Once we have received this form we will assess the application and advise you of the test requirements, samples required, any additional information required and the costs. Once samples and monies are received you samples will be tested and subject to satisfactory test results the test report forwarded to WRAS for Approval.

For further information contact the Project Management Team.

Last Updated: 04 January 2010

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