22/03/2006 - The Minister for
the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell,
today marked World Water Day by urging Australians
to support the new appliance water efficiency rating
scheme that will be mandatory from 1 July 2006.
“The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme
— or WELS — will label appliances rated for water
efficiency, similar to the way that they are now
labelled for energy efficiency. The more stars the
better!” Senator Campbell said.
“WELS is a cooperative scheme involving all Australian
governments. So far NSW , Victoria, the ACT and
Tasmania all have complementary WELS legislation
in place. Western Australia, Queensland, Northern
Territory and South Australia are in the process
of finalising or will soon be drafting complementary
legislation.”
Senator Campbell said Australian families were being
given a helping hand in their efforts to save water
and save money on their water and energy bills.
“By using a 4-star washing machine compared to a
1-star machine every day, the average Australian
household could save nearly 47,000 litres of water
every year,” he said.
“Using a water-efficient showerhead standard with
gas hot water will cost around $790 over a ten year
period compared to $1500 for a standard showerhead
in the same period — saving Australian consumers
money.”
Appliances that will be labelled for water efficiency
include domestic clothes washing machines, dishwashers,
certain taps, showers, toilets, urinals, and flow
control devices for use with taps.
Senator Campbell said the WELS scheme would reward
manufacturers who develop improved and efficient
products and the retailers who support this innovative
scheme.
“We’ve had a fantastic response from many areas
of industry and the retail sector. Both have been
supportive of our efforts to promote products that
are high performing and environmentally-friendly,”
he said.
Manufactures and importers of WELS appliances will
be required to label WELS appliances and retailers
required to sell labelled products following the
mandatory 1 July 2006 introduction.
WELS is part of the Australian Government’s overall
strategy to conserve water across Australia.
“I encourage all Australians to take part in this
scheme, and benefit themselves, their environment
and our Australian industries,” Senator Campbell
said.
