Only California Water Star provides the opportunity to actually label a product,” Koeller says.

“Establishment of the EPA WaterSense program is a welcome development that will provide a strong national focus for water-saving action.”

The Australian Government, in conjunction with the States and Territories, has introduced the Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards (WELS) Scheme to give consumers information on the water efficiency of certain products.

Launched on 1 July 2005, the WELS Scheme requires new taps (over basins), toilets, showers, urinals, clothes washing machines and dishwashers to be registered and labeled with their water efficiency. Registration of flow-control devices is optional.

WELS encourages water conservation by providing water-efficiency information at the point of sale. This enables consumers to compare products and purchase the most efficient product for a particular purpose. WELS products are labeled with information based on the results of laboratory testing.

The two main features of the WELS label are a star rating that allows a quick comparison of the product’s water efficiency, and a figure showing either the water consumption or flow. The star ratings range from zero to six stars, with more stars meaning the product is more efficient.

Water-efficiency information is obtained from testing the product in accordance with the WELS Standard, AS/NZS 6400:2005 Water Efficient Products – Rating and Labelling. Products must be tested at a National Association of Testing Authorities accredited laboratory, or at one approved by the WELS regulator.

Once registered, products are listed online in the WELS product data base.

The New Zealand Government has indicated it also intends to implement the WELS scheme. More information on the WELS Scheme in Australia is available at www.waterrating.gov.au

Although the WELS scheme aims to better inform buyers, it has created some uncertainly with consumers as well as the plumbing and building industry.

While a product can carry a WELS label, that doesn’t mean it is always acceptable under ‘fit for purpose’ product Standard requirements by which regional water authorities around Australian work.

A product can carry a low-ranking WELS label, for example with a zero or one-star rating, leading the consumer to assume that as the product is carrying a performance label, it complies with all the requirements, which it may not.

This industry is still working through this complication.

The five Nordic nations – Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland – have adopted the Nordic Swan eco-label, which is used to indicate that a product is a good environmental choice and to encourage manufacturers to develop environmentally friendly products and processes.

The Nordic Swan is available for about 60 product categories. Water-using appliances include closed toilet systems, washing machines and vehicle wash installations. All products must comply with quality and performance requirements.

The Nordic Swan is administered by a board in each Nordic nation and co-ordinated by the Nordic Eco-labeling Board, which includes industry, consumer and environmental group representatives. Product criteria are generally revised every three years, and products that get the logo may carry it for three years. After that, the manufacturers must reapply.

Application fees vary from nation to nation, and manufacturers must seek and pay for third-party testing of their products to verify their claims. Further information is available at the Swedish website of the Nordic Swan at www.svanen.nu/eng

In Ireland a scheme to promote water conservation and help consumers to make informed purchasing decisions has been launched by the City of Dublin in collaboration with the Dublin Region Water Conservation Project.