WRAS Approvals - Providing Expert Testing, Guidance and Certification

We support manufacturers with a complete end-to-end assurance, testing, and certification service, ensuring the materials used in products designed to be in contact with drinking water are safe for human consumption.

In our daily lives, we encounter a vast array of products and systems that are developed to provide us access to clean water. From our homes, and workplaces, to cafés and restaurants, it’s crucial to ensure the materials and products are safe.
In the UK, any water fitting, which when installed, will carry or receive water from the public mains water supply must comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations of 1999 or Scottish Byelaws. These regulations require that a water fitting should not cause waste, misuse, undue consumption or contamination of the water supply and must be ‘of an appropriate quality and standard’.

The regulations prevent materials from affecting water quality from:

Producing bad tastes and malodours
Changing the appearance of the water
Leaching toxic compounds and heavy metals which may be harmful
Promoting microbial growth within piping which can generate unsightly slime formation

The easiest way for companies to demonstrate compliance with these regulations is through WRAS approval. This is granted directly by representatives of the water suppliers and is therefore accepted by every water supplier in the UK.

Did you know?

WRAS contribute to the protection of public health by preventing contamination of public water supplies and encouraging the efficient use of water by promoting and facilitating compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Byelaws in Scotland. Regardless of the quality of water treatment, contact with poor-quality materials after the source of supply may contaminate drinking water.

female worker in PPE on site, on phone, with tablet, attending to water pipe system

What do manufacturers need to do to comply with BS 6920?

Products must satisfy all five areas of BS 6920 testing to gain approval, covering:

Odour & Flavour
Appearance of Water
Growth of Aquatic Micro-organisms
Cytotoxicity
Extraction of Metals

What products or materials are covered by WRAS certification?

WRAS materials approval covers testing of non-metallic materials and simple components that come into contact with drinking water to demonstrate the material does not contaminate the water supply.

Materials that must undergo this contamination testing include:

Rubber materials/components
Plastic materials/components
Lubricants/ Greases
Coatings/ Paints
Cementitious materials
Gaskets/ O-rings/ Washers
GRP and composite materials
Tubing & pipes

How can we help?

Our Milton Keynes-based UK laboratory is approved by the Water Regulations Approval Scheme (WRAS) to conduct water quality testing to the requirements of BS 6920, and WRAS Materials Guidance. Intertek’s WRAS testing capabilities cover both non-metallic materials and components that come into contact with drinking water.

Our experts can support you from design to market, providing a consultancy-based approach development of your product and to the BS 6920 testing regimen, guiding you through the WRAS approval process aiding with both product and material approvals.
Our dedicated service provides customers with a guarantee that our independent and impartial specialists can truly satisfy your quality assurance needs with the precision, pace and passion you desire.