Since 1976, Dutypoint has led the way in fluid technology, delivering innovative and reliable solutions in both residential and commercial sectors. Today, we are excited to announce that our VRX Cold Water Booster Sets are the latest product in our range to receive the rigorous Kiwa certification, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to quality and compliance. Our dedication to maintaining high standards is highlighted by being the first manufacturer to achieve WRAS approval for a booster set, and now, with the addition of the VRX to our Kiwa-approved products, we continue to uphold our commitment to product safety and quality.
But what is Kiwa certification, and why is it important to you? In this article, we will explore what Kiwa certification means, why it’s essential to consider using Kiwa approved products, and the testing that products undergo to meet regulatory standards.
Article Guide
What Is Kiwa Certification?
Why Is Kiwa Certification Important?
What Is a Kiwa Certified Product?
Kiwa Certification Testing Procedure
Kiwa Certification Duration and Renewal
Checking If a Product is Kiwa Certificated
Kiwa Certification at Dutypoint
Putting Quality and Customer Safety First
Who Are Kiwa, and What Is Kiwa Certification?
Kiwa is an internationally recognised certification organisation that assesses products, systems, and processes across various industries to ensure they meet high standards of quality, safety, and reliability. For water systems in the UK, Kiwa certification is especially significant, as it provides approval for products that comply with water safety regulations.
Much like WRAS approval, Kiwa certification guarantees that a product is safe to use in contact with drinking water. Using products that haven’t passed these rigorous tests could result in contaminated water, leading to harmful consequences for public health and the environment.
Kiwa-approved products, such as those tested for Kiwa UKreg4, meet the UK’s water supply regulations, ensuring that they can be legally installed and used in both domestic and commercial plumbing systems.
Why Is Kiwa Certification Important?
Kiwa certification plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality and public safety. It ensures that products used in water supply systems meet the necessary regulatory standards. Here are several key reasons why Kiwa certification is important:
- Water quality and safety: Kiwa-approved products are thoroughly tested to ensure they do not contaminate drinking water with harmful substances or encourage bacterial growth. This safeguards both taste and odour, ensuring that the water remains safe for consumption.
- Regulatory compliance: Products certified by Kiwa comply with national and international water safety regulations. For example, Kiwa KUKreg4 approval ensures that products meet the requirements of the UK’s Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations.
- Consumer confidence: Using Kiwa-approved products provides peace of mind for consumers and project owners. They know that certified products have passed stringent testing, ensuring safety and reliability.
- Ongoing assessments: Kiwa certification provides ongoing production assessments to help maintain compliance as regulations change.
What Is a Kiwa Certified Product?
A Kiwa-certified product has passed a series of tests to ensure it complies with strict regulatory standards. For water supply systems, Kiwa KUKreg4 is one of the most important certifications. It applies to materials and components used in water systems to ensure they are safe and non-toxic.
However, just like not all components within a system may be certified, even if the overall product is. For example, a booster set might be Kiwa-approved, but if an unapproved jointing compound or material is used, the product as a whole may no longer meet certification standards.
There are many benefits to using Kiwa KUKreg4-Certified including:
-
- Safety: Kiwa KUKreg4 certification guarantees that products meet rigorous safety standards, protecting the health of consumers and preventing water contamination.
- Compliance: Using Kiwa-certified products ensures compliance with relevant water regulations, avoiding potential legal issues and fines.
- Peace of mind: Knowing that your water system components are certified can provide peace of mind and reassurance.
- Efficiency: Kiwa-certified products are often designed to be efficient and reliable, reducing the risk of system failures and costly repairs.
- Value: While Kiwa-certified products may have a slightly higher upfront cost, their long-term benefits, such as increased safety and reliability, can justify the investment.
- Recognition: The KUKreg4 database is used by architects, water suppliers, and specifiers as a source for products that comply with regulations.
What tests must a product pass to be certified as meeting regulations?
To achieve Kiwa KUKreg4 certification, products must undergo comprehensive testing in accordance with the UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. The goal of these tests is to ensure that all materials and components used in water supply systems meet strict requirements for safety, performance, and durability. Here are the key testing areas:
- Material Safety Testing: All materials, particularly non-metallic components, must comply with BS 6920 drinking water standards. This ensures that materials in contact with drinking water do not:
- Impart odour or flavour to the water.
- Cause visible changes, such as colour or turbidity.
- Promote microbial growth.
- Leach harmful substances, such as toxic metals, into the water.
- Mechanical and Functional Testing: Products are tested to ensure they can perform reliably under various operational conditions. This includes:
- Pressure and Leak Tightness Tests: Components must withstand high pressure without leaking or malfunctioning.
- Endurance Testing: Products are subjected to repetitive cycles of operation to assess their long-term performance and durability.
- Temperature Resistance: Products are tested under different temperature conditions to ensure they maintain functionality and integrity.
- Porosity and Strength Testing: These tests assess the material’s ability to resist water penetration and maintain its structure under stress, ensuring the product can endure the physical demands of a plumbing system.
- Backflow Prevention and Valve Testing: For products like valves and pumps, additional tests are carried out to ensure they prevent backflow and protect against contamination of the water supply. These include checking the valve’s performance under different pressure conditions.
- Dezincification and Corrosion Testing: Products that use brass or other susceptible materials undergo dezincification and corrosion testing. This ensures that the product will not degrade and contaminate water over time.
Once the product successfully passes all these tests, it is awarded Kiwa KUKreg4 certification, confirming compliance with Regulation 4 of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. The certification includes a unique number and is listed in the Kiwa directory, making it easy for regulators and consumers to verify compliance.
How Long Does Kiwa KUKreg4 Certification Last?
Kiwa KUKreg4 certification is valid for five years, after which products must undergo retesting to maintain their approval. Mandatory retesting ensures that the product continues to meet the strict UK water regulations, including essential safety and performance standards over time, providing ongoing compliance and reliability for water systems. Most importantly, this regular evaluation helps safeguard the quality of drinking water and protect consumers.
How Do I Check If a Product is Kiwa Certificated?
Ensuring that a product is Kiwa-certified is important for maintaining high standards of quality and safety, especially in industries where water supply and public health are involved. Using uncertified products can lead to contamination, legal issues, and potential harm. So, how do you confirm if a product is Kiwa-approved? There are a number of way to check for Kiwa certification:
- Kiwa Certificate: Every Kiwa-certified product receives a certificate as evidence of compliance. You can request this certificate from the manufacturer or supplier to ensure the product meets the necessary standards.
- Kiwa Website: The Kiwa website is the most reliable source for checking certification. The site features a directory of approved products; Kiwa Water Regulations Approved Products. Here you can search by product category, company name, or the unique certification number to confirm whether a product has been certified.
- Check for the Kiwa Certification Mark: Look for a Kiwa certification mark, which typically includes the Kiwa logo and a reference number. We proudly display the Kiwa certification mark on our website, for example if you head over to our Cold Water Booster Range, you will see Kiwa and WRAS certification logos clearly displayed next to relevant products.
If you’re unsure about a product’s certification, consult the retailer or installer. They should be able to confirm whether the product has Kiwa certification or provide you with the necessary documentation. By following these steps, you can ensure that the products you use in your project are fully compliant with water safety and quality regulations.
Kiwa Certification at Dutypoint
At Dutypoint, we are committed to quality and compliance, which is why we take pride in offering a wide range of Kiwa-certified products, specifically designed to meet the high demands of modern water systems. Our range of Kiwa-certified booster sets provides reliable, high-performance solutions for a variety of applications, from small domestic installations to large-scale commercial systems. Some of our most popular Kiwa-certified booster sets include:
- VRX Booster Set: The latest addition to our cold-water booster range, delivering ultra-high efficiency in a compact footprint, ideal for space-constrained installations.
- VT Booster Set: A competitively priced, easy-to-maintain booster set that’s long-lasting and fully compliant with both WRAS and Kiwa certifications.
- VR Booster Set: Compact and designed for plant rooms with limited space or access. These sets are both WRAS and Kiwa certified.
- VMV Booster Set with anti-vibration fittings: Customisable to meet higher flow rates and pressure ranges, perfect for larger applications.
- Slimline: An ultra-compact, next-generation booster set, offering exceptional performance for both commercial and industrial applications.
- ScubaTANK®: The original fully WRAS-approved and Kiwa-certified booster set and tank system, designed to maximise water storage within a minimal footprint.
- AirBREAK®: A combined break tank and booster pump unit, designed specifically for Category 5 backflow protection, delivering unbeatable performance with a compact design.
- Flowboost® Prime and Flowboost® Pro: Variable-speed booster sets using Regulation 4/WRAS-approved pumps and valves, ideal for versatile water management needs.
To view the full details of our Kiwa certifications, visit the Specification Documents section on each product’s page.
Dutypoint: Putting Quality and Customer Safety First
Kiwa certification is more than just a stamp of approval, it’s a mark of trust, reflecting Dutypoint’s commitment to quality. As leaders in water management, our Kiwa-certified products ensure full compliance with UK water regulations. These systems guarantee safe drinking water and prevent contamination, offering peace of mind with their high standards of safety and durability.
Dutypoint excels not only in certification but also in providing bespoke water management and pump solutions tailored to each project. Whether for large commercial applications or specialised residential systems, our innovative pump solutions deliver reliability and performance. Our customer-focused approach ensures that we work closely with clients to meet regulatory requirements while improving efficiency.
If you’d like to know more about how our high-quality, certified fluid and pump solutions can optimise the efficiency and performance of your water management systems, while meeting regulatory requirements, then get in touch with our expert team today.
