WRAS Approval & BS 6920 Testing
WRAS approval & BS 6920 testing are key requirements for products and materials used in contact with drinking water in the United Kingdom.
These requirements are often closely linked, with BS 6920 material testing underpinning WRAS / Regulation 4 product approval in many cases.
A structured approach ensures requirements are clearly defined early, supporting on-time project delivery and right-first-time approvals.
What is WRAS / Regulation 4?
WRAS approval demonstrates that water fittings comply with the UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations.
Approval confirms that products are suitable for use with potable water and do not adversely affect water quality or lead to misuse, waste or contamination.
Certification is based on assessment of product design, materials and supporting test data, including mechanical performance testing in accordance with applicable regulatory test codes and certification body requirements.
What is BS 6920?
BS 6920 assesses the effect of non-metallic materials on drinking water quality to demonstrate suitability for potable water contact.
Testing evaluates factors such as taste, odour, appearance and the potential for substances to leach from materials into water.
BS 6920 is a fundamental requirement for demonstrating material suitability and is typically required to support WRAS approval and other UK regulatory pathways.
Where WRAS & BS 6920 Apply
WRAS approval and BS 6920 testing apply to a wide range of products and materials used in contact with drinking water.
This commonly includes:
- Plumbing fittings and components installed within water systems
- Materials used in valves, seals, hoses, tanks and pipe systems
- Products requiring assessment through laboratory testing, as defined by certification bodies
Understanding applicability early is critical, particularly where BS 6920 testing underpins WRAS approval requirements.
Compliance & Approval Process
Achieving WRAS approval requires alignment between product requirements and material performance criteria.
- Identification of applicable product and material requirements
- Review of construction materials and product design
- Generation and assessment of supporting technical documentation
- Mechanical performance testing in accordance with applicable regulatory test codes, and BS 6920 testing where required
- Submission to WRAS or relevant certification body for approval
Requirements vary depending on product type, material testing status and intended application.
How AquaCompliance Supports
AquaCompliance provides structured advisory and project support across WRAS and BS 6920 requirements, helping manufacturers manage compliance efficiently from early-stage assessment through to approval.
- Regulatory Pathway Definition — Clarifying how WRAS / Regulation 4 and BS 6920 requirements apply and identifying appropriate approval routes based on product type, materials and intended application.
- Documentation Review — Review of available technical information and supporting data to identify potential gaps prior to testing or submission, including opportunities to leverage existing data where appropriate.
- Laboratory Coordination — Liaising with accredited laboratories to understand capability, capacity and resource availability, supporting realistic planning and alignment of project timelines.
- Certification Body Engagement — Supporting communication with WRAS and relevant certification bodies to help address queries and progress approvals.
- Commercial & Technical Alignment — Supporting identification of overlap opportunities across product ranges and materials, helping to streamline testing strategies, reduce duplication and manage overall project cost where possible.
- Application & Project Management — Coordinating activities across internal teams, laboratories and stakeholders from assessment through to approval.
Key Considerations
WRAS approval & BS 6920 compliance are influenced by a number of factors, including:
- Alignment with BS 6920 testing requirements to support WRAS approval
- Availability and suitability of existing test data
- Product design and intended application
- Product range complexity, including variations in models, sizes and configurations
- Laboratory capability, capacity and lead times
Additional factors can significantly influence testing scope, timelines and overall project cost:
- Supply chain complexity — Multiple material and component suppliers, leading to increased coordination requirements, expanding testing scope, overall project cost and timelines
- Opportunities to leverage existing data — Existing approvals or test data may reduce duplication and support more efficient project delivery
- Product range and material overlap — Opportunities for grouping strategies may reduce duplication across similar products or components
- Gaps in documentation or material data — May lead to additional testing or clarification being requested
- Alignment of documentation across standards — Where accepted by certification bodies, this can support efficiency and reduce rework
Testing requirements are driven by product design, materials and intended application. These factors directly influence timelines, laboratory availability and overall project cost.
Early clarity supports efficient planning, reduces duplication and enables right-first-time delivery.
Related Requirements
WRAS approval & BS 6920 testing form part of the UK regulatory framework and often align with additional requirements depending on product type and application.
Within the UK, while WRAS operates as an independent approval pathway, BS 6920 testing is often required multiple UK requirements, including Reg31, TMV and G3, particularly in relation to material suitability.
- UK Regulation 31 (Reg31) approval — where products are used within public water supply systems
- TMV2 and TMV3 certification — where thermostatic mixing valves are required to meet performance and safety standards
- G3 Building Regulation requirements — where products are installed within unvented hot water systems and must meet Building Regulations requirements
A coordinated, multi-standard approach helps streamline documentation, optimise testing strategies and improve efficiency across global compliance pathways.
If you are planning product approval, reapproval or material changes, early clarity on requirements and approach can significantly improve timelines and outcomes.
AquaCompliance supports projects from initial assessment through to approval, helping identify gaps, streamline activities and maintain alignment throughout delivery.
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