Information for Manufacturers and Suppliers

The 'WRc Approved' Scheme offers manufacturers an opportunity to demonstrate the performance of products for the water and wastewater applications. The Scheme, which is owned and managed by WRc plc, is totally independent.

Products and services assessed under the scheme will undergo a review of their characteristics, the manufacturer's claims, evaluation of their performance and assessment of aspects such as factory quality control, installation procedures and on-site practice.

Alongside the approval of products, WRc carries out the assessment of contractors installing approved products.

It is important to understand that the 'WRc Approved' Scheme and the WRAS Scheme (formerly the Water Byelaws Scheme) are not the same.

1. What our customers think
2. How to become WRc Approved
3. Use of logo
4. Presentation of a Certificate
5. What has already been 'WRc Approved'?
6. Commonly asked Questions

1. What our Customers Think

A selection of customer's comments are available on this site, please click here.

2. How to become WRc Approved

Obtaining a WRc Approval is a three-stage process.

1. Introduction
2. Assessment
3. Certification

Staff at WRc would be happy to discuss your needs and the service offered by WRc, in confidence.

Click here to view case studies.

3. Use of logo

Certain conditions apply to the use of the logo by a manufacturer or supplier. You are only entitled to use the logo or to claim that your product is 'WRc Approved' if you are in possession of a valid certificate.

For more details of use click here.

4. Presentation of a Certificate

The presentation of a WRc Approved Certificate offer an excellent PR opportunity for the recipient and WRc makes every effort to support such initiatives. Five Certificates were presented at the IWEX Exhibition at the UK National Exhibition Centre in Autumn 2001. These included the first issue of a 5 yearly renewal certificate to to Bodycote Metallurgical Coatings Ltd who devoted much of their stand to their WRc Approval.

5. What has already been 'WRc Approved'?

A full listing of WRc Approved products and services is provided in 'Approved products & services'. This database is searchable by manufacturer/contractor, product/service type and named product.

Under the auspices of 'WRc Approved', two major schemes have been undertaken for:

(i) the National Health Service (NHS) to approve fitness-for-purpose of thermostatic mixer valves and
(ii) the Drinking Water Inspectorate to approve epoxy lining contractors.

The Assessment Schedules for products currently holding a 'WRc Approved' certificate are available on-line.

6. Commonly asked Questions

What is 'WRc Approved'?

'WRc Approved' is an independent technical view on whether a product is fit to do the job for which it is claimed or a contractor is fit to provide a specified service.

It is a formalisation of technical product review work that has been carried out at WRc for many years. It was set up in response to requests from product manufacturers who wished to demonstrate that their product had been independently validated, but did not wish to or could not go through a BSi Kitemark approach.

'WRc Approved' is a type approval rather than a certification mark. It does not include an assessment of Quality Assurance, although quality procedures might need to be checked during product auditing.

'WRc Approved' does not cover assessment against the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 (formerly the Water Byelaws), nor approval for use with potable water as there are existing schemes for these.

What are the benefits?

Companies benefit from:

• the presentation of a certificate recognising successful completion of the assessment;
• from listing on the WRc Approved Web pages; and
• from the permitted use of the 'WRc Approved' logo in literature and advertising.

In addition, 'WRc Approved' may offer a quicker route to recognition of a product's performance than waiting for specifications (particularly European ones) to be finalised.

The assessment is carried out in complete confidence. The assessment may be an iterative process with WRc making suggestions on product improvement/ testing.

What if a specification does not exist?

Single product specifications are generally not as favoured as generic performance specifications. Where a specification does not exist for a specific product, existing test methods and requirements for similar products are used.

An assessment schedule will be developed by specialists in the relevant field, taking into account product features (i.e. key performance features) and any related specifications and Codes of Practice, UK or otherwise.

This will ensure consistency in performance levels for new products compared to existing products used by the relevant industry. The specialist may consult with the manufacturing company and other experts, as required. This document will be publicly available after the certificate has been issued.

What happens if a product meets most but not all of an existing specification?

There will be cases where an existing specification is mostly applicable, but variations are required for say, size range, colour, or additional performance features. In this case, the variations will be set out in the assessment schedule and the certificate will refer to compliance with the assessment schedule not the specification.

Who carries out the assessments?

Specialists in the relevant field will be used to carry out all assessment work with appropriate support as required. The company being assessed will be offered a single point-of-contact within WRc.

WRc will maintain records of the assessment for the period of validity of the certificate.

What if my company has BS EN ISO 9000 approval?

'WRc Approved' is primarily a technical audit of a product's performance. However, we may need to refer to test records and quality control documents as part of this process. More detailed checking of records might be appropriate for companies which have not been approved under BS EN ISO 9000.

Who authorises the approvals?

The WRc assessor and a WRc Director will sign valid certificates. The certificate is valid for a period of 5 years, subject to the conditions below on changes in the product or its components.

Towards the end of the 5 year period, the company will be notified that the approval is due to lapse and be advised of the required actions to be taken.

So what if the product or component parts are change or modified?

The onus is on the manufacturer to notify WRc of:

• any changes in components or components suppliers;
• any modifications to the product.

The specialist will determine whether this change/ modification is sufficient to warrant re-testing or re-assessment.

Certificates will only be re-issued if the modifications/ changes make the wording on the certificate invalid.

If it is found that significant changes have been made and not notified to WRc, or if the product is marketed as 'WRc Approved' outside of the scope of the certificate, WRc retain the right to withdraw the certificate.