WaterMark

All products designed for pipeline and drainage purposes in Australia must comply with the requirements of the local plumbing management department. In 2005, the new WaterMark Certification Scheme replaced the original National Pipeline and Drainage Product Certification (NCPDPS), which established the use of Standard Mark, WaterMark, and Plumbing Safety TypeTest Mark for relevant certified products. The Water Mark Certification Process (WMCS) determines that pipeline products only use Water Mark certification.

WaterMark is a management mark required by the plumbing engineering management department, which is detailed in the Plumbing Code of Australia. The standard establishes the WaterMark Certification Scheme (WMCS), which provides a unified method for approving plumbing products.

If the product has the WaterMark certification mark and its installation meets the requirements of plumbing and drainage operations, as well as other possible local requirements, then the product will be accepted throughout Australia. SAI Global has extensive experience and provides comprehensive certification projects in the review of plumbing engineering and water supply and drainage products.

The certification requirements for specific plumbing products are related to their "risks" to plumbing and drainage systems, and can be divided into two levels: review items for high-risk products (WaterMark Level 1) and type testing items for low-risk products (WaterMark Level 2).

The benefits of applying for WATERMARK certification:

1. Competitive advantage: enables your product to stand out among similar products. The Australian Mark certification mark with five hooks is a recognized and recognizable mark, indicating that the safety and functionality of your product have been recognized by Australian standards. Only products certified by WaterMark are authorized to use this mark.

2. Entering the market: Meeting certain standards or rules means being more accepted by consumers and rule makers.

3. Reduce product liability risk: By obtaining certification, you demonstrate your ability to continuously produce products that meet recognized standards, which invisibly reduces the liability risk of this product. If any problems arise, the records of product evaluation and certification can serve as evidence for review.

4. Successful export of products: SAI Global has reached agreements with over 60 overseas institutions to ensure that products comply with specific country product rules and market regulations.

5. Continuously improving product performance: Continuously monitoring product performance and production processes to achieve effective production and improved product performance, especially reflected in standard mark certification.

6. Larger market share and increased sales: With customer confidence, SAI Global can provide recommendations on the most suitable evaluation and certification types for your products and business, regardless of which market you are in.

7. Businesses through Watermark can directly apply for WELS.

Background introduction of WELS

The Water Efficiency Labeling Scheme (WELS) applies national mandatory water efficiency labeling and minimum performance standards to household water products, while the AS/NZS 6400 standard outlines the requirements of WELS.

WELS addresses the issue of high water consumption in household water products by providing consumers with nationally consistent water efficiency information at the retail level and encouraging manufacturers to design more water-saving products.

The current water products included in WELS include shower equipment, toilet equipment, faucets, urinals, water flow controllers, washing machines, and dishwashers.

Starting from July 1, 2006, except for the water flow controller where the water-saving label is voluntary, all other listed products are required to have a mandatory water-saving label affixed.

Specific Product Guidelines: WELS requirements apply to products that require Watermark certification. In the vast majority of cases, products that pass the water mark standard test meet the requirements of WELS. However, after completing the water mark certification, the product needs to be registered separately on the WELS government website.

Here is an explanation of how different products can apply Watermark and WELS, as well as their relationship:

Shower products

WELS is a shower product suitable for personal bathing, especially for showerheads and their components if a showerhead device is provided. This does not apply to emergency flushing and safety showers. These requirements are defined in the Australian standard AS 3662 (performance requirements for shower and bathing equipment), while AS/NZS 6400 specifies the star rating of WELS.

The difference between different products is based on the flow rate at a pressure of 250kPa, but the measurement of flow rate is carried out at pressures of 150kPa and 350kPa to determine the flow rate within this pressure range. The sprinkler head also needs to meet performance requirements, such as spray angle and temperature drop under low flow conditions.

After meeting the performance requirements specified in AS 3662, the WELS star rating can be evaluated based on the average flow rate listed below:

0-star rating: Exceeding 16 liters per minute and not meeting performance requirements;

1-star rating: More than 12 liters per minute but less than 16 liters per minute;

2 stars: More than 9 liters per minute but less than 12 liters per minute;

3 stars: More than 7.5 liters per minute but less than 9 liters per minute;

The highest rating for shower equipment is level 3.

The relationship between Watermark and WELS star rating: The shower equipment covered by WELS requires certification under Watermark's second level standards.

Toilets (WC)

The WELS program is applicable to the following toilet products: tightly integrated toilet products; Toilet product barrel and combination kit (water tank or flush valve); Toilet flushing equipment.

This plan is differentiated based on the flushing volume of different products. For the star rating of dual flow flushing, the flow rate is calculated based on the average flow rate of 4 and a half flows and 1 full flow flushing. On the premise of not affecting performance, the higher the star rating, the better the water-saving performance.

The technical requirements for the product are specified in AS1172 and ATS 5200.020/021, and the WELS star rating is specified in AS/NZS 6400. AS 1172.1: The second revision of 2005 and AS 1172.2:1999 was issued in August 2005, which referenced AS/NZS 6400:2005. The future revised version of AS 1172.2 will be consistent with all standards.

For WELS assessment, please refer to the following items:

A 9-4.5-liter water tank is a 1-star rating, with a flushing volume greater than 4.5 liters but less than 5.5 liters;

A 6-liter barrel and its corresponding 6/3-liter water tank or flush valve are rated as 3 stars, with an average flush volume of more than 4.0 liters but less than 4.5 liters;

A 4.5-liter barrel and its corresponding 4.5/3-liter water tank or flush valve are rated 4 stars, with an average flush volume of more than 3.5 liters but less than 4 liters;

2. Although ratings of 5 and 6 stars exist, they are generally not suitable for toilet products;

A 2-star rating indicates an average flushing volume of more than 4.0 liters but less than 4.5 liters;

A 5-star rating indicates an average flushing volume of more than 2.5 liters but less than 3.05 liters;

A 6-star rating indicates an average flushing volume of less than 2.5.

Showers covered by WELS are to be certified under the WaterMark Level 1

Faucet faucet

Regardless of the operating mechanism of the faucet, the WELS plan is applicable to faucets used for washbasins, flushing, kitchen sinks, or laundry systems. This plan does not apply to faucets that are only used as bathhouses.

Faucets are distinguished based on their nominal flow rate at a pressure of 250 kPa. However, the measurement of flow rate is carried out at pressures of 150kPa and 350kPa to determine the flow rate within this pressure range. The faucet also needs to meet basic material, design, and performance requirements.

The above requirements, along with other requirements, are defined in the standards AS/NZS 3718 (Water Supply Faucet) and AS/NZS 6400 (WELS Standard). According to the technical requirements of AS/NZS 3718, the following is a flow based WELS star rating:

0 stars: Exceeding 16 liters per minute or failing performance requirements testing;

1-star rating: above 12 liters but below 16 liters per minute;

2 stars: More than 9 liters per minute but less than 12 liters per minute;

3 stars: above 7.5 liters per minute but below 9 liters per minute;

4-star rating: above 6 liters per minute but below 7.5 liters per minute;

5-star rating: above 4.5 liters but below 6 liters per minute;

6 stars: less than 4 liters per minute.

The relationship between Watermark and WELS star rating: The faucet faucets covered by WELS need to be certified under Watermark's first level standards.

Bedwetting basin

The WELS program is applicable to the following types of urinals: combinations of urinals and flushing control facilities, urinals, and urinal flushing facilities.

The WELS program is not applicable to waterless urinals, as well as components and products that make urinal products waterless urinals.

The urinal is distinguished based on different flushing flow rates, types of operations, and levels of precision and complexity. These requirements are defined in the standards of AS/NZS 3892 (Urine Basin) and AS/NZS 6400 (WELS).

According to the technical requirements of AS/NZS 3892 standard and the type of operation of the product, the following is a flow based WELS star rating:

0-star rating: More than 2.5 liters for single occupancy, and more than 4 liters for double occupancy or equivalent to the width of the double occupancy basin wall;

1-star rating: Double occupancy or equivalent to double occupancy with sensing drive or intelligent operation, with a basin wall width and a flushing volume of less than 4 liters;

2-star: A single seat or equivalent to a single seat basin wall width with induction drive or intelligent operation, and a flushing volume of less than 2.5 liters;

Three star rating: a single seat with induction drive or intelligent operation, or a basin wall width equivalent to a single seat, and a flushing volume of less than 2 liters;

4-star: A single seat with intelligent operation or equivalent to a single seat with a basin wall width and a flushing volume of less than 1.5 liters;

5-star rating: A single seat with intelligent operation or equivalent to a single seat with a basin wall width and a flushing volume of less than 1 liter;

6 stars: A single seat or equivalent to a single seat with a basin wall width and a flushing volume of less than 1 liter, equipped with an intelligent operating device with a urinal sensor.

The relationship between Watermark and WELS star rating: The urine basin products covered by WELS need to be certified under Watermark's second level specifications.

Water flow controller

The WELS program is applicable to water flow controllers at the end of pipelines and in pipelines. Generally speaking, these controllers are used to control individual water consuming devices. However, if it is directly used for shower equipment, WELS star rating cannot be done.

The water flow controller is distinguished based on the nominal flow rate at a pressure of 250kPa. However, the measurement of flow rate is carried out at pressures of 150kPa and 350kPa to determine the flow rate within this pressure range. The water flow controller also needs to meet the requirements of basic materials, design, and performance.

The above requirements, along with other requirements, are defined in the standards ATS 5200.037.2 (water flow controllers) and AS/NZS 6400 (WELS standards).

According to the technical requirements of ATS 5200.037.2, the following is a list of WELS star ratings based on average traffic:

0-star rating: exceeding 16 liters per minute or failing performance testing;

1-star rating: Exceeding 12 liters per minute and below 16 liters per minute;

2 stars: Exceeding 9 liters per minute and below 12 liters per minute;

3 stars: exceeding 7.5 liters per minute, but below 9 liters per minute;

4-star rating: exceeding 6 liters per minute, but only below 7.5 liters per minute;

5-star rating: exceeding 4.5 liters per minute, but below 6 liters per minute;

6 stars: Less than 4 liters per minute.

The relationship between Watermark and WELS star rating: The water flow controllers covered by WELS need to be certified under Watermark's first level specifications.

Washing machine

The WELS program is applicable to household washing machines or similar products defined in standard AS 2040.2.

Several examples of washing machines:

Vertical drum free (pulsator or agitator);

Horizontal and vertical drum washing machines;

Horizontal drum washing machine;

The laundry function of the washing and drying machine.

The star rating will be calibrated at the closest½ At the star level. When the rating is less than 1, it will be rated as 0 stars.

Washing machines are distinguished based on their different water usage, and the water usage is calculated based on the higher of the declared water usage in cold or hot water testing according to standard AS 2040.2.

The relationship between Watermark and WELS star rating: Washing machines covered by WELS need to be certified under Watermark's second level specifications.

Dishwasher

The WELS program is applicable to household dishwashers as defined in standard AS 2007.2.

The star rating will be calibrated at the closest½ At the star level. When the rating is less than 1, it will be rated as 0 stars.

Dishwashers are distinguished based on the water consumption of the corresponding type of product (usage environment).

The relationship between Watermark and WELS star rating: Washing machines covered by WELS need to meet the second level standards of Watermark.

Test items and standards

Water efficient products  AS/NZS 6400:2005

Vitreous china  AS 1976-1992

Water closets  AS 1172.1-2005

Water closets  AS 1172.2-1999

Urinals   AS/NZS 3982:1996

Cistern inlet valves  AS 5200.016-2005

Cistern outlet valves  AS5200.017-2005

Washbasins AS/NZS 1730:1996

Bidettes and bidets AS 3494-1997

Household sinks AS 1756-1999

Copper and copper alloy waste fittings AS 1589-2001

Plastic waste fittings AS 2887-1993

Waste pipe connection outlets and gratings, separate or integral

ATS5200.040-2005

Copper alloys AS 2345-2006

Copper tubes AS 1432-2004

Metallic fittings and end connectors AS 3688-2005

Tap ware AS/NZS 3718:2005

showers for bathing AS/NZS 3662:2005

Metallic gate, globe and non-return valves AS 1628-1999

In-line valves ATS5200.012-2005

Shower bases and shower modules AS 3588-1996

Spa baths AS 3861-1991

prefabricated bathroom modules ATS 5200.050-2005

Baths AS/NZS 2023:1995

Solar and heat pump water heaters AS/NZS 2712:2007

Water heaters and hot-water storage tanks AS 3498-2003

Flexible hose assemblies AS/NZS 3499:2006

Stainless steel non-pressure pipes AS 3495-1997

PVC-U pipes and fittings for drain, waste and vent application AS/NZS 1260:2002

Polyethylene/aluminium and cross-linked polyethylene/aluminium macro-composite pipe systems

AS 4176-1994

PVC pipes and fittings for pressure applications AS/NZS 1477:2006

Polybutylene (PB) plumbing pipe Part 2: Polybutylene (PB) pipe for hot and cold water applicationsPB

AS/NZS 2642.2:2008

Polybutylene (PB) plumbing pipe Part 3: Mechanical jointing fittings for use

PB AS/NZS 2642.3:2008

Cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipes AS/NZS 2492:2007

Mechanical jointing fittings for use with cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipe

AS 2537-1994

Elastomeric seals for waterworks purposes AS 1646-2007

Elastomeric seals—Material requirements for pipe joint seals used in water and drainage applications

AS 681-2008

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances AS/NZS 60335.1:2002

whirlpool baths and whirlpool spas AS/NZS 60335.2.60:2006

multifunctional shower cabinets AS/NZS 60335.2.105:2006

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