Reflecting on a Drinking Water Products Industry Workshop

Drinking Water Products Industry Workshop and Regulation 31

How wonderful was the Drinking Water Products Industry Workshop?! It’s been just over three weeks and great to reflect on what was a truly enlightening experience to see water industry leaders and experts come together to tackle the ongoing challenges of compliance with Regulation 31.

Regulation 31 outlines the approval of materials and substances in contact with drinking water. This critical regulation ensures the safety and quality of the drinking water we consume every day. But the reality is, the industry is grappling with the intricacies of complying with this regulation.

The workshop was organised not as a routine exercise, but as a platform for collaborative problem-solving. We wanted to provide a space where industry professionals could gather, share their experiences, and work towards finding effective solutions to the challenges posed by Reg 31.

These challenges are multifaceted, ranging from understanding the technical complexities of the regulation, navigating the approval process, to the practical difficulties in implementing changes in production lines. But it's worth noting, the industry is not seeking to change the regulation, rather they are keen to streamline the process to ensure more effective and efficient compliance.

The industry's enthusiasm was palpable throughout the workshop. The collective desire to improve the approval process and maintain the highest standard of water quality was inspiring.

This workshop underlined the value of bringing together the water industry. By fostering a culture of cooperation and shared learning, we can ensure a safer, more sustainable future for our drinking water. There will be a sequel and next steps! During the workshop we committed to supporting a number of workstreams so that the Industry Water develops a streamlined easy to navigate system to comply with Reg 31.

Thank you to the sponsors and contributors throughout the day: Anglian Water, Southern Water, Northumbrian Water, Energy & Utility Skills and Saint-Gobain PAM.

At WRc, we understand these challenges and are committed to supporting the industry through every step of the approval process. From assisting with the submission of the dossier to the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), to providing technical support with the Instructions for Use (IFUs), to support with the testing facilities, we're here to help. Additionally, WRc are excited to be providing our own Reg 31 testing facilities soon! Planning of a new, bespoke Reg 31 lab space is currently underway.

For more information on how we can support you with Reg 31 compliance, please visit our Reg 31 Services Page