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Reg 31: Approval of Materials in Contact with Potable Water

WRc deliver comprehensive support for companies obtaining Reg 31 approval, from technical guidance through to competency training.

Austen Buck is our expert in Reg 31 approval

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What is Reg 31?

Water undertakers and their supply chain have a responsibility to comply with UK Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations. All materials, products and processes that come into contact with drinking water must be approved by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) to ensure they do not reduce the protection of human health.

Reg 31 focusses on water company-owned assets up to the water boundary; materials, products, and chemicals used in construction and operation of water treatment and distribution must cause no detriment to water quality. In addition, the storage and use of all chemicals and materials that may come into contact with drinking water must comply with Reg 31, associated British Standards, and conditions for use. Non-compliance with any aspect of Reg 31 is a criminal offence and could result in prosecution or warning letters from DWI.

    How can WRc help?

    Technical guidance

    We can prepare, assimilate, and complete the documentation required to be submitted for DWI Reg 31 approval for your technology.

    We can perform the toxicological risk assessment on chemicals and compounds ahead of submission to DWI to reduce the risk of rejecting your technology.

    We can provide guidance and support to develop your Instruction for Use (IFUs) to enable application of your technology in a wider market.

    We can provide guidance and assurance on Reg 31 small surface area within our WRc Approved scheme.

    Laboratory analysis

    We can support you through understanding the required tests and analysis for your product/s and provide an independent oversight and interpretation of the analysis report.

    We have the capability to support you through attaining compliance to Reg 4 of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and Small surface area components.

    Capacity building and training

    We can support your team to understand the complexities of DWI Reg 31 approval.

    We can train your team to correctly apply the Instruction for Use (IFUs) as per Manufacturer requirements.

    We can limit and prevent regulatory non-compliance – saving you and your company from prosecution.

    Approval process

    The responsibility is placed on the Technology Company to ensure that the material, product, or process has obtained the appropriate DWI approval. The approval process has two tiers:

      • Small surface area products
      • Reg 31 approval

      Products or materials which are deemed ‘small’ and meet a criterion that water is 'transient' across its surface (meaning minimal total contact time between the surface and water) require results that show they do not cause unintended odour/flavour to the water or support the growth of microbial organisms.

      This approval can also be known as Reg 4 Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulation, BS6920, WRAS, KIWA and others. It is also applicable for domestic use fittings. More information can be found under Advice sheet 8 on DWI website.

      Reg 31 requires assessment, testing and approval. A significant volume of documentation, extensive preparation of paperwork must be submitted alongside the formal application for approval to the DWI, and submissions are most often delayed by inadequate or incomplete information. WRc's experienced independent consultants and have in-depth insight into the DWI process, and can provide comprehensive support for companies obtaining Reg 31 approval.

      Learn more about the Reg 31 approval process

      Find out more

      WRc's experienced independent consultants can deliver a comprehensive support process from initial review of the product and through the application process. This includes supporting final dissemination, and training to ensure compliance with Instructions for Use (IFU).

      For more details on the help we can provide in the Reg 31 approval process, download our flyer.

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      Austen Buck

      Principal Consultant (Microbiology)

      Austen has held numerous positions in the water industry over the last 15 years, always with a focus on microbiology and water safety planning. He currently heads up WRc’s Microbiology Team and leads and supports on international and national projects with water suppliers, government departments and regulators regarding microbiological monitoring, risk assessment, management and control, and water safety planning. He holds a PhD in Public Health and Environmental Microbiology and has co-authored publications on virus and bacteriophage removal through membrane bioreactor technologies. Austen is a Chartered Scientist with the British Science Council, a corporate member of the Institute of Water (IWater), and an area committee member and mentor within IWater.

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