Products and services labelled with the Smart Approved WaterMark have been accessed by independent experts to make sure they achieve water efficiencies (as well as being fit for purpose, sustainable, meeting regulations and standards).
All water using products in kitchens and bathrooms have had their water efficiency rated as part of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme. Those products display a water rating label or text advice with products in store and online. Look for the label. It can help you make informed choices about the water efficiency of products for your home or business.
Understanding the label
Important information is provided on the water rating label including:
- Star rating lets you quickly compare the water efficiency of different products. The more stars the more water efficient the product.
- Rate
of water consumption such as flow rate, litres per flush or litres per
wash lets you estimate how much water the product will use. The middle
section of the label shows the amount of water used by the product.
Details of consumption rate displayed on the label vary by product type
as below. Use these figures to estimate how much water the product will
use. You can also check these estimates for saving money by choosing
water efficient products.
- dishwashers — litres per wash, load capacity of the machine
flow controllers — litres per minute
showers — litres per minute
taps — litres per minute
toilets — litres per average flush, litres per full flush, and litres per half flush
urinals — litres per flush, per stall
washing machines — litres per wash, load capacity of the machine.
- dishwashers — litres per wash, load capacity of the machine
- Registration and product details including licence number and registration number and, for washing machines and dishwashers, the model name and cycle used for testing.
Registration and product details
At the bottom of the label you can find the registration and product information that includes:
- company that registered the product
- licence number
- standards that guide how products are tested
Dishwasher and washing machine labels also list the model and cycle used to test water efficiency.
Use the information in this section of the label to decide if the model and cycle tested meet your needs, and to search the product database to verify the water rating information, before you buy products in store or online.
Search for a product
Find the product by searching for the:
- model name provided with the product
- registration number provided with the product.
Products that are not in the WELS database are not registered. It is illegal to supply unregistered products, and the water rating information on an unregistered product may be false or misleading.
Check the product database to confirm the registration status and water efficiency information for products you are planning to buy.