Water Valves Accreditations

For valves used in the water industry, various standards, laws, and regulations apply across different projects and markets. Below is a summary of the key certifications for water valves required.

WRAS certification refers to the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme in the United Kingdom. It is governed by the Water Regulations Advisory Service (WRAS) and is based on the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, along with subsequent amendments. The purpose of WRAS approval is to ensure that water system components do not cause contamination or waste of water.

WRAS certification is generally divided into two categories: material approval and product approval. Material approval is based on the BS 6920 standard, which evaluates the impact of non-metallic materials on water quality, including factors such as taste, odor, and potential release of harmful substances. Product approval involves mechanical and performance testing to verify leak prevention, durability, and structural safety.

Although WRAS approval is not a legal requirement, it is widely recognized as a key market entry standard in the UK water industry. Certified products may be listed in approved directories of compliant water fittings and materials, which are regularly updated. Since 2000, BS 6920 has served as the core standard for material approval. After 2010, the UK Water Regulations Advisory Scheme authorized several international laboratories, including Intertek’s Guangzhou laboratory, to conduct testing for pipe fittings in China. In 2024, the Anhui Provincial Institute of Quality Inspection also passed technical evaluation and became one of the first domestic WRAS-approved testing laboratories, supporting local manufacturers in obtaining international certification.

The WRAS certification process typically takes around 3–6 months, and the certificate is valid for five years, after which renewal and reassessment are required.

GSK certification refers to the RAL-GZ 662 quality mark issued by the German Quality Association for Heavy Corrosion Protection (GSK – Gütegemeinschaft Schwerer Korrosionsschutz). It is used to verify the high-quality standards of coating systems, anti-corrosion processes, and related industrial products.

The GSK certification primarily focuses on epoxy powder coatings, coating application processes, and corrosion-resistant valves and pipe fittings. Its purpose is to ensure long-term and reliable corrosion protection performance in demanding environments such as drinking water systems, wastewater networks, and natural gas transmission pipelines.

Products that pass the certification requirements are granted the RAL-GZ 662 quality mark (Gütezeichen), indicating that both the product and its manufacturing process comply with strict quality control and inspection standards defined by GSK.

The NSF/ANSI 61 certification is a standard jointly developed by NSF International and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It is specifically designed to evaluate and certify the health effects of materials, components, and systems that come into contact with drinking water.

The primary objective of NSF/ANSI 61 is to ensure that these materials and products do not release harmful levels of contaminants into drinking water, thereby protecting public health and maintaining water quality safety.

NSF/ANSI 61 applies to a wide range of drinking water system components, including:

• Pipes and fittings (e.g., pipes, valves, and joints)
• Faucets and drinking water dispensing equipment
• Water treatment equipment and system components
• Pumps and pumping stations
• Auxiliary materials and components such as rubber, coatings, and sealants

The standard focuses on the potential health impacts of materials in drinking water systems, particularly the migration of chemical substances and heavy metals from product materials into drinking water. These substances, if not properly controlled, may affect water quality and pose risks to human health.

NSF/ANSI/CAN 372: Drinking Water System Components – Lead Content is a standard that evaluates the lead content of materials used in drinking water system components. Its primary purpose is to ensure compliance with legal “lead-free” requirements for products in potable water applications.

This standard focuses specifically on the lead content of the product materials themselves, rather than leaching performance. It is commonly used alongside NSF/ANSI 61 to provide a complete evaluation of drinking water safety.

Solder and flux materials: Lead content must be ≤ 0.2%

Other water-contact components: The weighted average lead content across all wetted surfaces must be ≤ 0.25%

If any individual water-contact component exceeds the 0.25% lead threshold, a weighted average calculation is required. This calculation considers both:

• The lead content of each component
• The proportion of each component's wetted surface area relative to the total wetted area

This ensures that the overall product complies with the definition of “lead-free” under applicable regulatory requirements.

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification and FM (Factory Mutual) certification are two of the most recognized safety and fire protection standards in the United States. While both are widely accepted in global fire safety applications, UL primarily focuses on product safety, whereas FM emphasizes industrial fire protection performance and property loss prevention.

UL certification is issued by UL Solutions, an independent product safety testing and certification organization. It is widely recognized in the North American market, including the United States and Canada.

UL certification applies to a broad range of fire protection and safety-related products, such as:

• Fire protection electrical equipment
• Fire detection and alarm systems
• Fire-resistant cables
• Emergency lighting systems
• General electrical and safety products

The certification process evaluates electrical safety, mechanical safety, and material fire resistance through laboratory-based component testing. It verifies that products operate safely under normal and foreseeable conditions.

UL certification is globally recognized and is considered a fundamental requirement for entry into the North American market. The certification process requires strict quality control, consistent manufacturing processes, and detailed product documentation.

FM certification is issued by FM Global, an organization specializing in industrial risk engineering, property protection, and loss prevention.

FM certification primarily applies to industrial and commercial fire protection systems, especially high-risk equipment such as:

• Fire pumps
• Explosion-proof flame detectors
• Gas suppression systems
• Industrial fire protection valves and systems

Unlike UL, FM certification places greater emphasis on system reliability and performance under extreme conditions. Testing may include simulated fire, explosion, and other high-risk scenarios to evaluate real-world performance under disaster conditions.

FM certification is highly regarded in global industrial and high-end engineering projects due to its stringent testing requirements and focus on property protection. The initial certification pass rate is relatively low, and certified products are subject to ongoing surveillance audits, including periodic inspections conducted by FM engineers.

The WaterMark certification is a mandatory certification in Australia for plumbing and drainage products, ensuring that products meet safety, hygiene, and water efficiency standards. It is a regulatory requirement for use in controlled plumbing applications in the Australian market.

The WaterMark Certification Scheme (WMCS) is managed by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and implemented by certification bodies accredited by JAS-ANZ (Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand), known as WaterMark Certification Bodies (WMCABs).

It applies to water supply, drainage, and bathroom products, including faucets, valves, pipe fittings, toilets, bathtubs, showers, water heaters, and related accessories. The certification ensures that products are suitable for installation in plumbing and drainage systems and comply with Australian national standards and hygiene and safety requirements.

The ACS certification (Attestation de Conformité Sanitaire) is a mandatory health certification implemented by the French Ministry of Health. It is issued by French health certification bodies and is based on standards such as XP P41-251 and XP P41-280 published by AFNOR.

The certification involves toxicity tests, organic matter tests, and material performance evaluations for products that come into contact with drinking water. It focuses on monitoring the impact of substances released from materials—such as heavy metals and plasticizers—on water quality, including taste, odor, and color.

The certification scope covers pipe materials and fittings for water storage and transportation, water distribution terminal products, and raw materials. Products must pass migration tests to verify compliance with health requirements.

Its influence extends across multiple markets, including mainland France, overseas territories, French-speaking African countries, EU countries, and the Middle East. French water companies (such as Veolia and SUEZ) require suppliers to provide ACS certification.

Specific test items include parameters such as chlorinated solvents and total organic carbon (TOC). The certification process takes approximately 1–5 months, and the certificate is valid for 5 years. Renewal is required upon expiration. Manufacturers must reapply and update the certificate if product composition changes. The certification process does not include factory audits.

BOSSEAL VALVE is a professional water valve manufacturer with extensive qualifications to meet the requirements of different markets and regulatory standards.

Qualified products include:

• Resilient Gate Valves
• Butterfly Valves
• PIV (Position Indicator Valves)
• Epoxy coating process
• Rubber components
• Strainers
• Check Valves
• Deluge Valves

If you need any support, please contact Bosseal team: [email protected].