What Does WRAS Approved Mean?
If you've ever spotted "WRAS approved" on a tap, shower or other water-fitting and wondered what on earth it actually means, you're not alone. It's not just another bit of plumbing jargon to make choosing bathroom products more complicated.
WRAS stands for the Water Regulations Approval Scheme. WRAS approval means a product has been assessed to make sure it meets the relevant requirements for use with drinking water and complies with the UK's water regulations.
In simple terms, it's a thumbs-up that says the product is suitable for use with the water supply and has been designed with things like water quality, safety and preventing contamination in mind.
It's also worth knowing that not every bathroom product needs WRAS approval. The requirement depends on what the product does and how it connects to the water system. So, if you're choosing a new tap or shower, checking it's approval status can be a useful way of making sure you're buying a product that's suitable for installation in the UK.
In short, WRAS approved means the product has met the relevant requirements for use with potable (drinking) water - giving you one less thing to worry about when planning your bathroom.
Why Is WRAS Approval Important?
When it comes to choosing bathroom and plumbing products, compliance isn't something you want to leave to chance. Using the right fittings ensures your plumbing installation meets the relevant requirements.
For homeowners and installers, choosing approved products can offer greater confidence in the quality, safety and suitability of a fitting. This is particularly important for products that connect directly to your water system, such as taps, valves, toilet components and shower fittings.
There can also be practical consequences to consider. Water companies have the right to inspect installations, and certain fittings may need to meet the relevant Water Fittings Regulations or Byelaws. Choosing compliant products from the get go can help avoid potential issues further down the line.
It's also worth remembering that WRAS approval isn't simply a badge of quality. It relates specifically to the suitability of products for use with water supplies and compliance with the relevant requirements. So, when you're choosing a new bathroom fitting, checking its approval status is a simple way to make a more informed choice.
Which Bathroom Products Need WRAS Approval?
Not every product in your bathroom needs a WRAS approval, but fittings that connect to or control the water supply are particularly important. WRAS's testing categories include a wide range of plumbing products, from taps and valves to cisterns, baths and WC suites.
You'll commonly find WRAS approvals associated with bathroom products such as:
- Taps and mixers - including basin, bath and shower taps
- Showers and shower fittings - including shower outlets and certain components
- Toilet cisterns and flushing valves
- WC suites
- Baths and bidets
- Valves and other water-control fittings
- Water supply pipes and plumbing fittings
There's a little more to it than simply looking for a WRAS logo, though. WRAS approval applies to specific products, models and sizes, and an approval can come with installation requirements that need to be followed. WRAS own approval directory covers a much wider range of products too, including boilers, water heaters, pumps, tanks and other equipment connected to a water supply.
It's worth remembering that a product doesn't necessarily have to be WRAS approved to be legally used. WRAS approval is a recognised route for demonstrating that a product is of an appropriate quality and standard, but other recognised methods of demonstrating compliance can also apply.
So, if you're planning on making some new bathroom purchases anytime soon, checking the manufacturer's compliance is a good place to start. And if a product is WRAS approved, you can check the specific approval in the WRAS Products and Materials Directory rather than simply relying on a logo or claim on a product listing.
Why Aren't All Bathroom Products WRAS Approved?
You might assume that if WRAS approval is important, every tap, toilet and shower you see should have it. But that's not quite how it works.
WRAS approval isn't a compulsory badge that every bathroom product must have. The important thing is that products covered by the relevant water regulations meet the required standards and are suitable for their intended use. WRAS approval is one recognised way of demonstrating this, but it isn't the only route to compliance.
There are also plenty bathroom products that simply don't need WRAS approval. Decorative items, furniture and products that don't connect to the mains water supply, for example, aren't subject to the same requirements as water fittings.
Even where a product does fall within the scope of the water regulations, manufacturers may use another accepted method of demonstrating compliance rather than applying for WRAS approval.
It's also worth remembering that WRAS approval applies to specific products, rather than automatically covering everything a manufacturer makes. So, just because one tap from a particular brand is WRAS approved doesn't mean every tap in its range has the same approval.
In short, no WRAS logo doesn't automatically mean a product isn't suitable. The key is making sure the product meets the relevant Water Fittings Regulations and is appropriate for the installation. WRAS approval is simply one way of providing that reassurance.
How Are Products Tested for WRAS Approval?
Before a product can receive WRAS approval, it has to go through rigorous testing to make sure it meets the requirements for use with a water supply. The exact tests depend on the type of product, as a tap, shower fitting and toilet component all have different requirements.
Testing can assess things such as performance, durability, leakage, pressure and the materials used, helping to ensure the product can withstand the conditions it is designed for. For materials that come into contact with drinking water, additional testing can check that they don't negatively affect the taste, smell or appearance of the water, or encourage unwanted microbial growth.
The testing is carried out by recognised laboratories, with the results then assessed as part of the WRAS approval process. So, when a product has WRAS approval, it hasn't simply been given a quick once-over. It has been through a thorough testing process designed to check that it's suitable for its intended use with the water supply.
How Can You Check If a Products Is WRAS Approved?
If you want to check whether a bathroom product has WRAS approval, the easiest place to start is the product information on specific products. Manufacturers and retailers should provide details about a product's compliance and approvals where applicable.
On the UK Bathroom Store website, you can find this information directly in the product details located within individual product descriptions. You will find a table of information, simply look for "WRAS Approved", where you'll see either "Yes" or "No" next to it. No plumbing detective work required. Just remember not every product will have it if it is not required or if its not applicable.
You can also verify an approval through the official WRAS Products and Materials Directory, which allows you to search for approved products and check their approval details directly on the official website. It's important to check the specific product you're buying, rather than assuming an entire brand or product range has WRAS approval. Approval applies to individual products and can sometimes be dependant on particular models, sizes or configurations.
Looking for WRAS Approved Bathroom Products?
If you're specifically looking for products with WRAS approval, we've made it easier to find them. Our WRAS Approved Products collection brings together suitable products in one place, including WRAS approved taps and showers.
Why Choose WRAS Approved Bathroom Products?
Choosing bathroom products can involve a lot of decisions, from finishes and styles to sizes and installation requirements. WRAS approval is another useful detail to consider when you're choosing products that connect to your water supply.
Opting for a WRAS approved bathroom product can give you extra reassurance that the specific fitting has been assessed against the relevant requirements for its intended use. It can also make choosing products a little easier. Rather than having to work out whether a particular fitting is suitable for connection to your water supply, you can check its approval and compliance information before you buy.
For bathroom installers and homeowners alike, it's a simple way to make more informed purchasing decisions and reduce the risk of choosing a fitting that isn't suitable for the intended installation. And, of course, compliance isn't the only thing that matters. You'll still want to consider the product's quality, compatibility, warranty, style and installation requirements before making your decision.
So, if you're choosing a new tap, shower or other water fitting, checking for WRAS approval is a small step that can give you a little more confidence in your choice.
