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Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards
(WELS) Scheme

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Streamlining our online systems

WELS is currently developing a new online registration system and a new product search database. They are expected to be available in early September 2008.
The registration system will have a fresh look, new screens and navigation, and will provide more checks of the information entered by applicants. This should help ensure that applications are as complete and correct as possible before they are submitted. The new system will support more efficient application and approvals processes.

The system will be unavailable for a period of up to two weeks in late August when data will be migrated to the new systems and quality checked.

Please watch the WELS website for updates on the timing of the closure.

Those wishing to register products may wish to submit all active applications before the system closes, although partially completed applications will still be available in the new system.

A number of old applications that have not been progressed for a variety of reasons are currently in the system – their status is On Hold, Returned, Withdrawn or Deleted.

1. Any application that is On Hold or Returned and has not been actioned in any way since 1 January 2008 will not be migrated to the new system.
2. Withdrawn and Deleted applications will not be migrated to the new system.

If applications such as these relate to your organisation, you should either submit them for assessment or print them for reference purposes before the system closes.

New reports released

Did you know that drying clothes in a combination washer/dryer uses water?
And did you also know that although the water efficiency of the washing cycle is rated under the WELS scheme, the water efficiency of the drying cycle is not.

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has just published online a new study into the water consumption of washer/dryers which recommends that the water efficiency of both washing and drying functions be WELS rated. (Water consumption of washer/dryers)

Also released is a report into WELS requirements for urinals which identifies a number of areas of the WELS Standard, AS/NZS 6400 in need of review. (See Requirements for urinals).

WELS registration team visits VIPAC laboratory

The WELS registration team travelled from Canberra to the VIPAC laboratory in Melbourne in late June to visit one of the test laboratories responsible for rating WELS products (pictured below).

The team spent half a day touring the testing areas for plumbing and whitegoods products as well as watching testing processes in action.  WELS staff also discussed various issues relating to testing and Australian Standards with the lab technicians.  The visit helped WELS staff to better understand the testing regimes and processes related to product registrations.

Thanks to all those at VIPAC for a great and informative visit!

More inspectors in the field

Now that the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 is in full force an increasing number of WELS inspectors are out in the field checking compliance with the Act.
They are visiting retailers in all states and territories to ensure that products are being correctly labelled prior to supply to consumers.

WELS inspectors have significant monitoring and investigation powers. They are able to enter public premises, such as retail or hardware stores, unannounced and:

• inspect and purchase WELS products
• inspect any advertising or other written documents
• discuss product features and
• observe practices relating to the supply of products within the public area of the premises.

In other areas of a business premises, such as a warehouse, inspectors may, with the consent of the owner:

• search the premises and anything (including vehicles) on the premises
• conduct tests on the premises
• take photographs and make video/audio recordings
• inspect records (it is an offence not to supply records when asked by an inspector) and
• take extracts or make copies of records and use equipment as required on the premises.

Whitegoods regulation impact statement out for comment soon

A regulation impact statement on the possible inclusion of minimum water use efficiency standards for water-using whitegoods in the WELS scheme is expected to be released for public comment in coming weeks.

The study (Minimum water efficiency standards for clothes washers and dishwashers and water efficiency labelling of combined washer/dryers) looks atoptions for making further water savings in the home on top of those already being made through the introduction of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme in 2005.

Interested individuals, organisations and business will be invited to submit their comments to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts over a six-week period.  

New market research results

New market research into awareness of the WELS label indicates that water efficiency labels are becoming increasingly well recognised among consumers and some non-consumers.

The research, commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, however, suggests that further promotion will help the labels to become a mainstream means for comparing water-using appliances prior to purchase.

Did you know?

About 25 per cent of the water savings made through the WELS scheme comes from showers.