Firstly let me (briefly) explain what WRAS approval is about. It has two principal functions in this context: 1 - to ensure our water is not contaminated & 2 - to ensure wastage is minimised. What that translates to here is testing a tap so that over an expected life it does not introduce or cause to introduce any form of contaminant. They test the whole tap generally but obviously over its life (as many do at present) changes in components can (and DO) occur.
For example, the brass should contain minimal lead so it cannot leach too much into the water supply. The silicone seals should be cured using e.g. platinum so the chance of harbouring harmful bacteria is minimised. The plastics used must be classed as inert. The silicone grease used must be 'foodsafe'. etc etc
As already mentioned, the majority of taps sold in the UK are NOT WRAS approved. It is NOT illegal to
sell non approved product - ONLY to
fit it.
No matter who you are.
When cartridges wear out, if the so called 'maker' no longer supplies spares you must find an alternative. No spare cartridges (the heart of a tap) available, as far as we are aware, are WRAS approved so installers contravene regulations 100% of the time by fitting them. That's why ours are constructed of WRAS approved materials...
One last thing. The Water Regulations state very clearly that WRAS approval is NOT the only qualifying approval. Approval by the appropriate body from ANY EU member state is perfectly acceptable for fitting in ANY EU state. The UKs WRAS body have slowly but surely built up a back story that no one else's approval is good enough - difficult not to conclude it's to build their business and brand
Quality is measurable. Personally, I'd shop for Grohe or Hans Grohe taps BUT not the cheap end. They will not entertain zinc components although certainly, like most, Grohe are using far more plastics in their lower end offerings to boost margins and compete.
Our waterfall tap lasted two months before I unceremoniously ripped it out. Try cleaning your toothbrush, rinsing a razor or washing your hands in a ribbon of water - it's a nightmare! Waterfall taps are the perfect example of prettiness making something completely unusable - form over function.
HTH