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Approved Document G delayed
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The news that the introduction of the 2009 Edition of Building Regulations Approved Document G had been postponed, and would not now become law until April 2010, came as a surprise to members of The Bathroom Manufacturers Association.
The new regulations were scheduled to be introduced in England and Wales on 6 October 2009 but have been delayed following a late challenge, from Europe, to some parts of the text.
The BMA, based in Stoke-on-Trent, represents over 70 well known brands in the UK bathroom industry. Its technical committee, headed by Chris Taylor-Hamlyn, technical executive, had been working hard over recent months to ensure that its membership were fully up to speed of the requirements of the new regulations. Individual manufacturing members have been designing products which would assist developers and builders to fully conform with the amended regs.
“Our members are concerned and disappointed that the new regulations have been delayed,” commented Chris. “We learned late on in the process that objections had been raised in Europe to some of the clauses. We have to ensure that no part of the regulations are a barrier to trade and the Department for Communities and Local Government have now to respond to the challenges made.”
Water efficiency is a major requirement of Part G and the BMA’s Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme (WEPLS) is recognised by both industry and government as the most useful guide to water efficient products. It has been developed, since its launch in 2007, into an extremely useful tool for anyone involved in building design and installation.

To coincide with this year’s Bathroom Conference major improvements were brought to the scheme. It is now easier to understand and includes two new product categories, grey water recycling units and shower handsets. The WEPLS label has been redesigned and has a familiar and intuitive feel, similar to the energy labelling seen on white goods. The WEPLS website has also seen a make-over with a new front page, new functionality, greater interactivity and online examples of water efficient bathrooms being included.
Both bathroom professionals and consumers are now catered for and the database of products has been updated to help visitors create their own bathroom ‘shopping list.’
“We are extremely pleased with the reaction to the new site,” said Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the BMA, “and following feedback and market research more developments are planned. Water efficiency is the hot topic in the UK and members of the BMA are keen to show that through their technical expertise they can make a real difference to water efficiency in the bathroom.”
The new WEPLS website can be found at www.water-efficiencylabel.org.uk/ and manufacturers of bathroom products, whether they are member of the BMA or not, may apply to have their water efficient products listed.
Further Information
For further information please email info@bathroom-association.org.uk or
telephone 01782 747123 and visit www.bathroom-association.org

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