The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme applies national mandatory water efficiency labelling and minimum performance standards to household water-using products. AS/NZS 6400 is the Standard that outlines the WELS requirements.

The WELS Scheme addresses high domestic water consumption by providing nationally-consistent water efficiency information to consumers at retail level and by encouraging manufacturers to design more water-efficient products.

The water-using products covered by the WELS Scheme currently include:

• Showers

• Tap equipment

• Flow controllers

• Lavatory equipment (toilets)

• Urinals equipment

• Dishwashers

• Clothes washing machines

• Dryer function of combination washer-dryers, where they use water to dry a load.

The WELS requirements are applied to products that are required to be certified under the WaterMark Certification Scheme. In most cases testing to the relevant WaterMark standard will satisfy WELS requirements. However, after WaterMark certification it is necessary to lodge a separate registration at the Australian Government website www.waterrating.gov.au .