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Water Magazine has shone a spotlight on a new industry-backed initiative seeking to address a growing bottleneck in the UK water sector: the limited capacity for Regulation 31 (Reg31) testing, a critical requirement for products and materials used in contact with drinking water.

Supported through the Water Innovation Fund and overseen by Ofwat, the Implementation Enablers challenge intends to establish a more resilient and competitive domestic market for Reg31 testing. In particular, it seeks to address these challenges by investigating ways to stimulate investment in testing infrastructure and services.

What is Reg31?

Reg31 approval, governed by the Drinking Water Inspectorate, is mandatory for any substance or product that comes into contact with public drinking water supplies. This includes pipes, fittings, coatings, and treatment chemicals. All products must undergo rigorous testing to demonstrate they do not pose a risk to human health or compromise water quality.

The current bottleneck

Water Magazine reports there are no longer any UK-based facilities offering the full testing services required to meet the regulatory approval, meaning manufacturers and suppliers are experiencing delays in obtaining approvals, seeking out overseas facilities, or encountering extended lead times.

Without timely access to testing, new technologies can struggle to reach the market, and according to industry insiders innovation has become limited by these constraints.

Implementation Enablers challenge on Regulation 31

By strengthening the network around Reg31 testing, proponents argue the sector can better cultivate innovation while maintaining high standards of public health protection.

The current Implementation Enablers challenge on Regulation 31 is live and open to applications until 1 May 2026. Its objectives include identifying barriers to entry for new laboratories, assessing demand for testing, and developing models that could support a sustainable and competitive marketplace. The process includes a Stage 1 award of up to £50,000 to develop a detailed delivery plan, including a feasibility assessment, and Stage 2 awards of up to £1 million each for successful delivery plans, with a total budget of up to £3 million for the challenge.