PIPES, VALVES & FITTINGS
Navigating compliance challenges for plumbing, pipes, valves and fittings
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Over the last five years, NSF, a global certification, testing, and inspection organisation has identified that many installers and building specifiers are still unaware of the substantial changes to the certification landscape when it comes to the UK’s water regulations and byelaws. to Simon Warburton, Certification Manager, NSF, explains
hese rules are designed to ensure the safety and quality of water supplies across the country. These regulations impose a legal duty not to install water fittings unless they comply with Regulation 4 of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, the Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014, and the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009. These regulations are pivotal in ensuring that the water supplied to households and businesses maintains its quality and safety. A product with Regulation 4 certification has undergone thorough testing and is deemed fit for use in water supply systems, assuring public safety and enabling manufacturers and suppliers to demonstrate legal compliance. As the responsibility for ensuring compliance with the UK’s water regulations for water fittings, pipes, and valves lies with installers and building specifiers, it’s vital that they are confident in the compliance status of the products they choose and the current regulatory requirements. Certification involves rigorous testing and evaluation of water fittings and materials that supply clean and safe drinking water products, such as pipes, taps, valves, and other components, to ensure compliance. By undergoing independent testing, these products can be 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 emergence of alternative certification schemes
Historically, The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) has long been perceived as the only pathway to demonstrate compliance with UK water fittings regulations. But in 2018 NSF launched a fully accredited certification scheme for water fittings in the UK market. Since that time, after feedback
from the market, NSF has modified its offering to bring even more choices with two new accredited certification schemes, NSF REG4 1+ and NSF REG4 S3. These schemes offered manufacturers a flexible and efficient route to compliance. While awareness and adoption of these new schemes have grown rapidly in the manufacturing industry, they are not as widely recognised within the specifier and installer community. Today, the compliance landscape has become more diverse and nuanced, allowing other certification schemes to be recognised. This shift acknowledges
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that WRAS approval, while still highly respected and valued, is not the only mechanism to assure the suitability of a product. More options for product certification have emerged, giving manufacturers and installers more flexibility in demonstrating compliance and quality assurance. 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 use in water supply systems. 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. On the other hand, NSF REG4 S3 does not require an annual facility audit but mandates a full retest every five years. NSF REG4 not only assures the public of the safety of their water supply but also helps manufacturers and suppliers demonstrate compliance with the law.
The rapid adoption of NSF REG4 by manufacturers has largely been driven by the streamlined pathway to compliance that it offers. The certification process is quick and predictable, removing the uncertainty that can often hamper product development and launch timelines. Certification decisions are made immediately once testing of the product is complete, without
having to wait for a committee meeting. This allows products to reach the market typically four to six weeks faster. Furthermore, NSF tracks when a product is up for re-evaluation and provides timely reminders, ensuring continuous compliance and reducing the risk of products being abruptly removed from the market.
The impact on installers, plumbers, and building engineers
Using certified products demonstrates a commitment to safety and quality, building trust with clients and project stakeholders. Navigating the certification process can sometimes be challenging, but understanding the certification criteria and collaborating with certified suppliers can streamline the process and ensure successful compliance. As the responsibility for ensuring compliance lies with the specifier and installer, it’s crucial to have confidence in the compliance status of the products they use.
Unfortunately, plumbing
products are not regulated at the point of sale in the UK. This means that some products on the market may not comply with UK plumbing regulations. This burden of responsibility makes the choice of certified water fittings all the more critical. By selecting NSF REG4-certified products, building engineers, specifiers, and installers can have confidence in the
product’s performance and legal compliance.
How to check compliance of pipes and water fittings
Checking the compliance of pipes and water fittings is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and quality of the water supply. This can be done by looking for the relevant certifications, such as WRAS, NSF REG4 1+, or NSF REG4 S3, on the product or its packaging. These certifications signify that the product has been tested and deemed suitable for use in water supply systems. You can also check the certification status of a product by visiting
https://info.nsf.org/ Certified/WaterReg/ where all NSF Reg 4 certified products are listed within 24 hours of certification.
The future of UK plumbing compliance
The emergence of NSF REG4 and other schemes mean a fast, streamlined path to compliance, providing an alternative to traditional certifications. However, there is still a need for increased awareness among specifiers, plumbers, and installers about the benefits of NSF REG4 and other alternatives to WRAS. By understanding the advantages of these certifications and embracing them, these professionals can help drive progress and innovation in the UK plumbing industry.
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