The Water Regulations Approval Scheme (WRAS), an independent UK certification body for plumbing products and materials, has launched two new services to help speed up the product approval process for manufacturers.

WRAS say it has been listening to its customers to improve its services and help applicants get approvals faster. The company is making progress with its key ambitions to increase the number of recognised testing labs and to give manufacturers choice to access testing capacity. In addition to this, WRAS has been developing two new services, to help speed up the product approval process for manufacturers.

Fast track assessment.

This is a scheme which offers fast-track approval assessments. Up to ten manufacturers a month can have their applications assessed first, with feedback being shared directly with the applicant at the same time as the laboratory – speeding up and improving communication channels. This allows any queries to be raised and resolved quicker. If your approval is time sensitive and you need submission to the next approval meeting – this is the service for you.

While it doesn’t guarantee a product will be recommended for approval, it does allow more time for businesses to consider changes that will need to be made to meet the necessary requirements. Benefits include having queries identified and resolved much quicker and a much faster overall approval process.

Pre-application advice service

This service offers manufacturers pre-application advice, to check a product or material is appropriate to be certified by WRAS and the specific requirements that need to be met during testing before a full application is submitted.

This service speeds up the approval process and identifies any compliance issues before testing begins, saving both time and money. It’s ideal for new product development and identifying potential compliance issues and helping applicants feel more confident in developing their product lines.

Ian Hughes, WRAS’s approvals manager says: “We have been listening to our customers and developing ways to speed up the approval process to improve our customer service. Fast Track and Pre-application advice are just two of the changes we are introducing to help applicants. We will communicate more exciting changes soon.

“We’ve introduced the two new services for several reasons. We want manufacturers to be better informed about regulatory and WRAS requirements, so they can avoid queries and delays in the approval process, so it becomes faster and more cost-effective. We also know that applicants prefer to talk to the WRAS team directly.

“Our research shows that 62% of non-household customers are prepared to pay more for a WRAS-approved product, so we’re keen to ensure that manufacturers have what they need in terms of testing capacity and support in the product development cycle to support their bottom line.”

Further information about the Fast Track Assessment Service can be found on the WRAS website.

Lecico Bathrooms has announced a new partnership with Propelair – designers and manufacturers of the world’s lowest water-flush toilet that works on existing drainage. From the start of this month, Lecico will become the exclusive UK distributor of Propelair products – assuming responsibility for sales, marketing, and operational functions for Propelair in the UK. 

Lecico says the importance of climate change and water scarcity within the UK construction industry has been evidenced recently by consultations with the UK Government on water labelling, changes to Part G of the building regulations, and challenges related to recent water shortages.  Propelair toilets are the highest performers under BREEAM’s water efficiency guidelines, using an average 84% less water than standard toilets. The proven technology, which can be retrofitted to existing drains, has been adopted by over 200 customers, and over 4,500 units are now installed across a wide range of commercial buildings. Engineered specifically for commercial, public, and heavy footfall premises, the Propelair system connects conveniently to existing plumbing systems. 

Antony Thompson, MD at Lecico Bathrooms, commented: “We are very excited by the opportunities the partnership with Propelair will present over the coming years, and it highlights our commitment to addressing the sustainability challenges faced by our industry. 

“The Lecico Bathrooms team are looking forward to continuing to build on our recent success and we are certain that the addition of the innovative range of Propelair water-saving toilets into our growing portfolio of bathrooms products will accelerate our growth.”

David Hollander, CEO of Propelair, added: “As sustainability continues to become an essential strategy for businesses in the UK, we have partnered with Lecico to meet the growing demand for our hygienic, water-efficient toilet. Propelair has seen growth in our installed base in recent years. A UK partnership with Lecico, an established bathroom manufacturer, was a logical next step to ensure we provide excellent service to current customers in the UK, while also satisfying increasing demand from new customers. 

“Internationally, Propelair will continue to grow its presence in South Africa and the Gulf, selling directly to customers and working with select distributors.”