British Precast said it has discovered that a range of imported precast concrete drainage products are being sold without visible proof of third-party verification kitemarks.

The trade body said: “As a result, customers can have no confidence in the performance of such products.”

The Enquirer understands the uncertified products have been imported via a major supplier and are being sold by a leading merchant.

One industry source said: “Contractors and clients have purchased these products assuming they have a kitemark and conform to all industry standards.

“That is not the case and they are now having to check where these products may have been used.”

The affected products include manhole rings, manhole covers, seating rings, corbels and gully raisers.

British Precast said: “Third party verification systems are crucial to our industry as they ensure a product’s quality, durability and safe performance in service.”

Colin Nessfield, Technical Manager of British Precast, said: “Customers, and others in the product supply chain have a responsibility to ensure that the precast drainage products they purchase have the necessary third party assessments and certification, which is the minimum required by the Construction Products Regulation.”