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 forms part of the UK framework governing products used within water fittings systems, supporting compliance with Regulation 4 of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations.

Regulation 4 requires that products in contact with potable water are of an appropriate quality and standard, ensuring they do not cause waste, misuse, undue consumption or contamination of the water supply.

Compliance may be demonstrated through recognised approval schemes, including:

  • WRAS Approval
  • KUK REG4 certification
  • NSF REG4 certification

Approval / 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 BS6920?

BS 6920 defines test methods used to assess the effect of non-metallic materials on water quality.

BS6920 testing is performed to evaluate whether materials in contact with potable water may impact water quality under defined conditions, including aesthetic, chemical and biological effects.

Non-metallic materials may include, but not limited to:

  • Plastics and polymer-based components
  • Elastomers (e.g. seals, gaskets, O-rings)
  • Coatings, linings and surface treatments
  • Adhesives, sealants and jointing compounds
  • Fibre-based components (e.g. gaskets and washers)

Materials may be incorporated into products during manufacture or introduced during installation or maintenance.

BS 6920 testing is commonly required across UK approval pathways, including WRAS, Regulation 31 and other certification schemes where material suitability must be demonstrated.

Where WRAS/ REG4 & BS 6920 Apply

Water fittings compliance requirements apply where products are installed within systems connected to the public water supply.

This commonly includes:

  • Valves, taps and plumbing fittings
  • Appliances and water-using products
  • Components within domestic and commercial water systems
  • Products requiring verification against Regulation 4 requirements

BS 6920 testing applies where non-metallic materials are used in contact with potable water and material suitability must be demonstrated.

Early clarity on applicable approval routes and testing requirements is critical, particularly where multiple certification pathways are available.

Compliance & Approval Process

Achieving compliance with UK water fittings requirements involves selection of an appropriate approval pathway and alignment with certification body processes.

This typically includes:

  • Identification of applicable Regulation 4 requirements based on product type
  • Selection of an appropriate test laboratory and certification route (e.g. WRAS, KUKreg4, NSFreg4)
  • 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 the selected certification body or approval scheme
  • Product evaluation, certification and listing

Requirements and processes may vary depending on the certification body, product type and material compliance status, making early definition of approach important to support efficient delivery.

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.

Although international frameworks such as the EU Drinking Water Directive (DWD) and North American standards, e.g NSF/ANSI 61 & 372, are not directly transferable, the technical data, material assessments and supporting documentation developed through WRAS & BS 6920 programmes can be utilised to support wider global compliance objectives, reducing rework, streamlining processes and accelerating time to market.

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.

Explore our full range of water compliance services.