INTERIORS 51 Connecting the dots
Tom Reynolds of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association explains why joined-up thinking in bathroom design is vital, and how collaboration across the sector can drive innovation, sustainability, and smarter regulation.
I
t may be a small space in the grand scheme of a building project, but behind every bath, basin, and bracket
lies a vast, intricate network of individuals and businesses. From clients and architects to manufacturers, merchants, plumbers, and regulators – thousands of passionate people play a role in making bathrooms better in the UK. But all too often, these dots remain unconnected. That’s where our association is trying to make a difference. As the UK’s most infl uential bathroom community, our mission is to protect, promote, and progress every facet of bathroom design, delivery and maintenance. And we believe that by joining forces across this fragmented landscape, we can not only raise standards, but shape a future where bathrooms are smarter, more sustainable, and better understood – by everyone from specifi er to end user.
The fragmented supply chain behind every bathroom Let’s start by acknowledging the complexity. A bathroom’s journey involves: • Architects and designers, specifying layouts and fi ttings.
• Manufacturers, engineering compliant, innovative products.
• Distributors, merchants, and retailers, ensuring availability across markets.
• Installers and plumbers, whose workmanship must align with regulations.
• Water companies and regulators, who set – and sometimes struggle to enforce – technical requirements.
Each stakeholder plays a critical role, but too often, they operate in silos. The result? Misinformation, delays, missed opportunities, and costly mistakes – especially when it comes to understanding and applying the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
ADF JUNE 2025
The Regulation 4 Dilemma: a case study in disconnection Consider the issue of water fi ttings and their suitability for purpose. Defra owns the overarching regulations but relies on regional water companies for enforcement. These water companies, acting as quasi- regulators, vary in how they interpret and apply their responsibilities. Merchants and retailers, meanwhile, sell water fi ttings but have limited legal or commercial obligations to check for compliance. Trading Standards – the body meant to offer market surveillance – is chronically under-resourced, resulting in little meaningful enforcement. Architects, faced with regulatory uncertainty, often fall back on specifying a single certifi cation scheme – most commonly WRAS – as a shorthand for compliance. But WRAS is just one of four equally valid schemes, alongside Kiwa,
Each stakeholder in the supply chain plays a critical role, but too often, they operate in silos
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