Do you know who the WRAS are? Do you know what WRAS approval is? Are you aware of your legal obligation when owning a commercial dishwasher?

If you answered no to any of these questions, then this guide is here to help you.

Who Are WRAS?

The WRAS is the Water Board Regulatory and Advisory Service. The 26 UK water suppliers must subscribe to the WRAS subscription membership. Their purpose is to protect public health by preventing water contamination, encouraging efficient use, and promoting compliance.

WRAS has 4 core objectives:

• To raise awareness and understanding of the Water Fitting Regulations, through marketing and communications, advice, consultations, education, and professional development.
• To provide approval scheme, processes and guidance to enable organisations and individuals to demonstrate compliance with the Water Fittings Regulations.
• To provide cost effective support to water companies by providing guidance to enable consistent interpretations and enforcement of the Water Fitting Regulations.
• To represent the UK water supply industry as one voice on the Water Fittings Regulations and contribute to the development of relevant guidance, codes of practice and standards.

The Legal Bit

It is a legal requirement that any water fitting or appliance that is connected to, will carry or will receive water from the public mains water supply must comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.

Appliances include commercial dishwashers, glasswashers, and commercial laundry equipment as these are all connected to a main water supply feed to operate.

It is the responsibility of a property owner to know which regulations apply to their circumstances and ensure compliance. Laws are typically in effect between the boundary of a property and the point of water discharge.

What is WRAS Approval?

 ‘WRAS Approved’ status is, and can only be, granted by the Water Board Regulatory and Advisory Service. WRAS Approval is the best way to demonstrate compliance with the legislation to water board inspectors.

A WRAS approved product, such as a commercial dishwasher, will have passed all checks and hold a certification stating that the components have been tested under pressure and that the appliance is safe and suitable to be connected to the UK water system.

You can find guidance on the Water Regulations on the website: https://www.waterregsuk.co.uk/guidance/