Caro Group is the first and only company in the UK to achieve approval to BS851188-1:2019+A1:2021 for demountable barriers and is set to gain Approval to British Standard within the timeframe mitigating the risk of non-delivery of the Environment Agency’s flood protection scheme across the UK.

There are currently no aluminium multiple section slot in barriers (with pre-installed frames) with a Kitemark or alternative Type 5 certification scheme. Therefore, the Environment Agency has stated that to mitigate the risk of non-delivery of schemes a product that is independently tested to BS851188-1 and committed to obtaining the Kitemark within the 12-month period is authorised to sell into the PFR Framework. 

Following independent testing of The Caro Flood Defence Barrier at a Flood Test Facility in Worcestershire, a BSI approved Research & Development testing facility, in August 2025, Caro Group has received the letter of comfort from the Environment Agency stating: “I can confirm that the Caro Waterwall PFR Aluminium Multiple Section Slot in Flood Barrier System, summarised above, can be used on the 2024 PFR Framework for the limited time of 12 months from the publication of the PFR MTR v2.3.” (Wesley Jones, PFR Technical Lead - Civil Engineering Standards, Environment Agency)

Caro’s demountable barriers are custom-made at its production facility, in Kent, UK. Dave Lowe, Group Managing Director, comments, “We are proud to have been the first in the UK to achieve third-party accreditation and approval to BS 851188-1:2019+A1:2021 for testing demountable flood defence barriers. Additionally, we are setting a new benchmark for our industry with our journey to become the first to be Approved to British Standard for temporary flood resistance. Caro Group is a leader — we are the first and only tested and Third Party Approved company able to sell into the Environment Agency’s PFR framework for demountable barriers and we are a carbon-negative UK manufacturer. Our products are engineered for performance, built for the planet.”

Caro Flood Defence Systems, testing in progress at the Flood Test Facility in Worcestershire, a BSI approved Research & Development testing facility, August 2025.