When you’re choosing a new bathroom suite, there’s a lot to consider. After all, with many of us only renovating our bathrooms a handful of times in our lifetime, it’s important that the quality, style and functionality of your bathroom is up to scratch.

WRAS approval plays a part in selecting new bathroom units, fixtures and fittings, especially when your project must comply to new build regulations. However, many people have no idea about WRAS approved products are, or why they are important. We’ve created a helpful guide outlining everything you need to know about WRAS and why it matters.

So what exactly is WRAS?

WRAS is a Water Regulations Advisory Scheme created by UK water regulations and bylaws to ensure that all businesses maintain the highest standards of equipment. To become WRAS certified, all products undergotesting by independent labs and water suppliers to ensure that they comply with the guidelines laid out in the scheme.

WRAS rules apply to any water fitting, which will carry water from the public mains water supply. With this in mind, it sets the standard against waste, misuse, undue consumption or contamination of the water supply and must be ‘of an appropriate quality and standard’.

WRAS covers two main variants

WRAS Product Approval:

Products, including boilers, valves and showers undergo thorough water quality and mechanical testing to ensure that they fully comply with all WRAS rules.

WRAS Material Approval:

Rubber sheet material, ‘O’ rings and spacers must also undergo extensive testing to ensure that they comply with water quality guidelines. This is because it is vital that all components and non-metallic materials do not contaminate the water.


WRAS approval is only required in projects that have to comply to new build regulations and for any product that can be connected to a water supply, which includes taps, showers, valves and cisterns, as well as fittings such as plastic spacers and rubber washers.

Not all products comply but that is not because they are lower quality or because they contaminate your water supply. BathroomsbyDesign only sell high quality and ethically sourced goods. There are other aestetic and practical reasons why a product may not comply.

For example to comply, a tap must clearly show hot & cold markings. Therefore, some manufacturers decide not to comply due to the aesthetics. 

For slide rail kits, their must be a retaining ring on the slide rail kit - to stop a user from dropping the hand shower in the toilet - which may seem strange and overkill.

For more information on WRAS, head over to their website: https://www.wras.co.uk/

We have a huge range of energy efficient bathroom suites, fittings and fixtures to suit whatever style it is you love  Check out our WRAS approved products today... https://bathroomsbydesign.com.