“WaterMark certification“ – the “key” of tapwares in Australia

In Australia, WaterMark certification is important for tapwares and plumbing products. It ensures they are safe, high-quality, and perform well. All plumbing products intended for use in the country’s water supply systems must be certified by the relevant regulations. It gives consumers confidence that the products they use are reliable and fit for purpose.

The WaterMark certification symbol, typically displayed on certified products, signifies compliance with Australia’s stringent regulations. It is an essential consideration for manufacturers.

* Note: The information in this guide comes from the Internet, including certificate content and certification standards.

Table of Content

The WaterMark Certification Scheme is an Australian standard that ensures plumbing products, including faucets (taps), meet specific safety, quality, and performance criteria. Products that receive WaterMark certification have been tested and verified to comply with the relevant Australian Standards.

• Material Safety: Ensures that the materials used in the faucet, especially those that come into contact with drinking water, are safe and do not release harmful substances.
• Structural Integrity: The faucet must be structurally sound and able to withstand the pressures and stresses typical in a plumbing system without leaking or breaking.
• Functionality: This involves testing the faucet to ensure it functions correctly, including flow rate, temperature control, and any other features it might have, such as aerators or filters.
• Water Efficiency: Faucets must meet specific water efficiency standards, ensuring they do not waste water. This is often linked to the WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme) rating in Australia, which is separate but related to WaterMark certification.
• Durability: The product is tested for long-term performance, ensuring it will last without significant degradation or performance loss over time.
• Compliance with Regulations: The certification ensures that the faucet complies with all relevant Australian regulations, including installation, operation, and use.

Products that meet these standards are marked with the WaterMark certification logo, indicating they are certified for use in Australia. This certification is mandatory for plumbing products used in both residential and commercial applications.

In Australia, the WaterMark Certification Scheme applies to a wide range of plumbing and drainage products. The certification is mandatory for products that are directly connected to a water supply or a drainage system.

This list covers the most common products, but the WaterMark Certification Scheme applies to any plumbing products that, if it fail, could affect water quality or cause harm to users or the environment. Products must be WaterMark certified before they can be legally installed in Australia.

• Once products are certified by IAPMO Oceania, they can be marked with a WaterMark™ certification logo. The Standard Marking applies to the following Australian certification trade mark registrations.
• Plumbing and drainage products used in Australia and supplied under the WMCS should bear the WaterMark once they have been certified by IAPMO Oceania. Applying the WaterMark to the product provides evidence that the product is:
  • Manufactured under a nationally recognized scheme and certified by IAPMO Oceana.
  • Supplied and warranted by the manufacturer as complying with the appropriate Specification; and
  • Easily recognised by the regulator, tradesmen, distributors and retailers as being certified.
• All applicants must submit a marking proposal to IAPMO Oceania showing the form and manner in which the certification mark is to be used. Licencing / certifiation cannot take place until the marking proposal has been accepted.

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) maintains a database of WaterMark-certified products. You can search for certified products by product type, brand, or certification number. Visit the WaterMark Product Database to verify a product’s certification status.

• Determine the type of product you require (e.g., faucet, toilet, pipe fitting).
• Consider specific features you need, such as water efficiency, material type, design, and compatibility with your existing plumbing system.

• Choose reputable brands known for producing high-quality, certified plumbing products.
• Visit the manufacturer’s website to verify their product’s WaterMark certification and read customer reviews.

This is a government-run program that labels water-using products like faucets, showers, toilets, and dishwashers with a rating to indicate their water efficiency.

The scheme aims to help consumers make informed decisions about purchasing products that use water more efficiently, thus reducing water consumption and environmental impact. The WELS label shows how much water a product uses per minute or per cycle and rates its efficiency on a scale from one to six stars, with more stars indicating greater efficiency.

While WaterMark focuses on ensuring that products are safe and meet the required standards for use in plumbing systems, WELS focuses on the water efficiency of those products.

A product can be WaterMark certified for its quality and safety while also being rated under WELS for its water efficiency.

For example, a faucet might be WaterMark certified to ensure it’s safe for use in plumbing and might also have a WELS rating that informs consumers about how much water it uses.