Simon Warburton, Operations Manager at NSF, has over 30 years of experience at NSF’s specialist testing lab for water fittings and materials in South Wales. Here, he explains the emergence of NSF REG 4, as an alternative to WRAS.
Ensuring compliance with regulations in the UK water industry is paramount for maintaining water quality and public safety. It is a legal requirement for any component that comes into contact with drinking water to comply with the UK’s Water Supply (Water Fittings) regulations and byelaws, particularly Regulation 4. While water fittings are not regulated at the point of sale, it is a criminal offence for any installer to use non-compliant products and materials in water systems. For manufacturers to remain competitive with installers, they must demonstrate plumbing product and material compliance.
Third-party certification is a way to do this, as it involves rigorous testing and evaluation of water fittings and materials that supply safe drinking water products, such as pipes, taps, valves, and other components, to ensure compliance. By undergoing independent testing, these products are evaluated for their performance, durability, and resistance to various conditions, including pressure and temperature fluctuations. Certifying bodies such as NSF are accredited organisations that evaluate water fittings’ compliance with national and international standards.
The Water Regulations Approval Scheme (WRAS) vs. NSF REG4
WRAS has historically been the primary route for demonstrating compliance. However, the landscape has evolved with the introduction of alternative certification options like NSF REG4. This shift acknowledges that WRAS approval, while still highly respected and valued, is not the only mechanism to assure a product’s suitability and compliance.
The WRAS approval process involves third-party laboratory testing followed by a review at the Product Assessment Advisory Group (PAAG) meetings held every 4-6 weeks, with a submission deadline typically 20 days before the meeting date. While thorough, this approach can be time-consuming, potentially delaying market access for manufacturers.
NSF REG4 certification emerged as a response to industry needs for a faster, more efficient certification process. It offers several key advantages, including a streamlined process managed entirely in-house by NSF, from testing to approval, eliminating the need for external PAAG meetings. This results in approvals being delivered 4-6 weeks faster than traditional processes.
The Key to NSF REG4’s Efficiency
The basis of NSF REG4’s efficiency is its ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory in Wales that conducts all the necessary product and materials testing in-house, ensuring consistency and reliability. This is the only accredited laboratory in the UK that can perform mechanical and material tests for water fittings under one roof. NSF’s in-house technical team can assess test results immediately, reducing approval times. While the testing is done in-house, NSF is also a certification body, formally accredited by UKAS to ISO/IEC 17065, ensuring the competence and impartiality of the scheme.
During NSF REG4 certification, clients receive assistance from dedicated UK-based account managers who are experts in water fittings regulations and associated testing processes. This personalised support helps manufacturers navigate the certification process more efficiently. It also means there is a single point of contact for any water certification needs throughout the process. Moreover, NSF’s global reputation and international network of auditors can facilitate access to markets beyond the UK, potentially streamlining certification processes for multiple countries.
NSF REG4 applies to all mechanical products and non-metallic materials that come into contact with drinking water and signifies that a product has been rigorously tested and deemed suitable for water supply systems across the UK. This includes a wide range of products, from valves, backflow-prevention devices, taps, showerheads, pipes, and fittings to tanks and cisterns. The NSF REG4 1+ scheme requires an annual facility audit, ensuring continuous certification as long as the product remains unchanged. NSF REG4 S3, alternatively, does not require a yearly facility audit but mandates a full retest every five years.
The Future of Regulatory Requirements
The evolution of water fittings certification in the UK reflects the industry’s need to balance rigorous compliance with operational efficiency. While WRAS approval remains a respected and valuable option, alternatives like NSF REG4 offer different approaches to meeting regulatory requirements.
When considering water certification schemes, it is essential to evaluate your specific needs carefully. Factors such as time-to-market, target markets, and long-term certification management should be considered when choosing a certification route. Regardless of the chosen path, the ultimate goal remains to ensure the safety and quality of the UK’s drinking water supply.
