CESA and WRAS agree way forward over approval issues
CESA and the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) have agreed a way forward over the combi ovens and steamers approval issue with no change to existing governing submissions on reducing appliances' water consumption.
WRAS had planned to change the WRAS Product Approval Scheme acceptance criteria for steamers and combi ovens that incorporate a facility using fresh water to cool the appliance's wastewater from 1 April 2015. This related to undue consumption of water under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Byelaws.
The meeting was led by the CESA patron Lord Trefgarne, with Keith Warren, director, and Bryan Whittaker, technical advisor of CESA, plus a representative group of three CESA manufacturers and an industry customer. WRAS was represented by chair Stephen Kay, managing director Julie Spinks and Paul Millard, technical manager.
The crux of the matter is the need to reduce the use of fresh water to cool wastewater. CESA members were able to demonstrate that the timing of the change had not taken into account the significant impact on manufacturers or allowed time for them to prepare for the change and suggest reasonable practical alternatives. In response, WRAS agreed to postpone the introduction of the acceptance criteria and actively work in partnership with CESA to find a solution.
CESA agreed to investigate the volume of water used by combi ovens and steamers, especially compared to other cooking methods for similar volumes of food. Meanwhile, the manufacturers will be devoting resources to the development of technologies that will further reduce the water consumption of their equipment.
"I was delighted with the outcome of the meeting," said Julie Spinks. "I believe that WRAS and CESA can work together to find a better solution and that manufactures can play their part in reducing the use of water in their products for the benefit of their customers."