There is a growing need to reduce water consumption across Australia as populations increase and climate change results in more frequent extreme dry weather conditions. Water shortages and longer-term security of water supply are an increasing concern for many of our major cities. To help to reduce urban water consumption on a national scale, the Australian Government, in collaboration with State and Territory governments, has introduced a Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme, which applies national mandatory water efficiency labelling and minimum performance standards to household water-using products.
The WELS Scheme will help to address the issue of high domestic water consumption by providing nationally consistent water efficiency information to consumers at point of purchase and by encouraging manufacturers to design more water-efficient products. The aim of the WELS Scheme is to encourage the uptake of water-efficient products and appliances in domestic and commercial areas while maintaining individual choice and accounting for regional variations in water supply in urban Australia.
The water-using products covered by the WELS Scheme currently include:
- clothes washing machines
- dishwashers
- flow controllers
- toilet ( lavatory) equipment
- showers
- tap equipment intended for use over a kitchen sink, bathroom basin, laundry tub or ablution trough
- urinal equipment
From 1 July 2006, mandatory registration and labelling applies to all of these products apart from flow controllers, for which this will be optional. Full details of the implementation dates are in the table below. Once a product is registered under the scheme, compliance with the relevant standard (including labelling requirements) will be obligatory. In addition to labelling and performance requirements, a mandatory minimum water efficiency requirement will apply to toilet equipment. Further products are expected to be added to the scheme over time.
Find out more at the Australian Government WELS Website
