How to get the performance you expect.

Standards, certification, compliance and approvals all exist to provide reassurance to the specifier, installer and asset owner that the selected product will perform as expected.

Responsible manufacturers undertake testing and third-party evaluation – often at significant cost - to provide this assurance. However, if stakeholders in the supply chain fail to insist on products that are fully validated in this way, they risk allowing rogue manufacturers to offer alternatives that have not undergone the same level of testing, and hoodwink the purchaser to believe that their products offer equal performance at a lower cost - invariably without providing appropriate evidence to support their claims.

Let the buyer beware…

Sometimes, the rogue manufacturer may offer a guarantee. However, the terms and conditions need to be carefully checked, as liability can be limited to the cost of replacing the (failed) product only.

This is scant compensation when the drainage system fails to deliver the expected performance, and asset owners are left with an installation that is not fit for purpose and requires significant remedial action.

Too often problems arise due to failures in due diligence, where insufficient attention is paid to identifying and insisting on appropriately verified compliance with relevant standards, industry specifications and approvals.

The importance of CE Marking

Achieving a CE mark

A CE mark can only be achieved through two processes:

  • a harmonised European standard (hEN)
  • via an European Assessment Document (EAD) and European Technical Assessment (ETA). 

No matter what a manufacturer may claim – there are no other legally enforceable assurances through standards compliance and certification.

ADS StormTech is the only proprietary SuDS attenuation and treatment system in the UK that  is able to provide a Declaration of Performance backed with an EAD and ETA and can bear the CE mark.

ADS offers comprehensive technical support for design, installation and maintenance, 24/7, 365 days a year. And for further information, why not try our highly rated CPD programme – simply call 0203 442 0607 or email

ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS​

​StormTech is manufactured by ADS, America's largest manufacturer of thermoplastic corrugated drainage pipes and a specialist in water management systems. StormTech has a long and successful track record with over 50,000 system installations using in excess of 3 million units.