Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS)

In conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Water, Standards Australia is driving an International Standard on Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS).

WELS is Australia’s most successful consumer water conservation program. It is also among the nation’s most successful carbon reduction schemes.

The purpose of the scheme is to conserve water by helping consumers make informed decisions and encouraging uptake of water-saving technologies.

In September 2017, Standards Australia submitted a New Work Item proposal on behalf of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This proposal was approved in January 2018, leading to the establishing of the international committee ISO/PC 316.

While developing the new International Standard, the Australian-led committee is responsible for defining test methods and customising labelling depending on the consumer markets of the various member countries. The end goal is to assist manufacturers of specified products to transact in a common global market, enable competition and encourage best practice, and give consumers choice.

This proposal was based on the Australian Standard® AS/NZS 6400, Water efficient products – Rating and Labelling, as well as the contributions received from regional partners who supported the proposal including China, Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand.

Standards Australia would like to thank the Australian technical committee WS-032, Water Efficient Appliances, and the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, in particular Dr Carol Grossman and Mr Richard McLoughlin, who have assisted Standards Australia in formulating this proposal and promoting best practice Australian programmes globally.

Learn More

• Clear plan ahead for water efficiency
• Australia leads the world in water efficiency
• Increasing the efficiency of our water use

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