The Australian Government's Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme is celebrating 20 years of successful operation with significant contributions to both the environment and consumers' hip-pockets.
WELS Regulator, Lou-Ellen Martin said since the WELS scheme began 20 years ago, Australians have seen big improvements in household water efficiency and product innovation.
"Since its start in 2005, the WELS scheme is estimated to have saved over 1,800 gigalitres of water through better consumer choices. That's enough water to fill 735,000 Olympic swimming pools," Ms Martin said.
"Less water used also means lower water heating bills, with savings under the scheme worth $16 billion in reduced utility bill costs and 29 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents of greenhouse gas emissions.
"Over the last two decades we've seen more products being designed and manufactured with water efficiency in mind, which demonstrates the importance being placed on the ratings."
The WELS star rating label helps consumers to easily identify and compare water-efficient products when considering purchases.
It mandates the registration and labelling of taps, showers, toilets, urinals, dishwashers, washing machines, and flow controllers. Nearly 22,000 products are registered under the scheme for the Australian market.
According to a 2023 consumer survey, more than 80% of Australians recognise the WELS label and use it when making purchasing decisions.
The success of the WELS scheme has contributed to the development of the international standard for water efficiency labelling programs, the ISO standard 31600:2022. This enables other countries to establish their own water efficiency labelling programs like WELS.
The scheme continues to grow, and this year has introduced minimum water efficiency standards for products including taps, showers, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers. This will ensure that only water efficient products are available for sale or installation in Australia.
