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InkWELS – Issue 1, 2024

Find out about the upcoming survey on proposed legislative changes to the WELS Determination, reminder for registering WELS minor products, WELS standard included in the Australian Government procurement guide and more.

InkWELS – Issue 3, 2023

Find out how we are making it easier for businesses to comply, working to improve our community’s water knowledge, helping more people learn about the scheme, how you can nominate a new product category next year and more.

Check-testing finds water consumption issue for Ariston washing machine

A compliance check-testing has found that Ariston washing machine model number N84WAU uses 39% more water per wash than its declared value in its “Program 2 - Eco-Cotton” cycle because of a software coding issue.

InkWELS – Issue 2, 2023

Find out about our compliance and enforcement action over the last financial year, the rollout of our new product registration database, review of product registration fee structure, our free online course and more.

InkWELS – Issue 1, 2023

Find out about the Federal Court of Australia’s judgment in the first civil penalty case under the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005, the WELS Strategic Plan 2022-25, the revised WELS Compliance and Enforcement Policy and more.

Court orders $2 million penalty under Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme

On 9 December 2022, the Federal Court of Australia handed down the judgment in the first civil penalty case under the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005.

InkWELS – Issue 2, 2022

Find out about the outcome of the third Independent review of the WELS scheme, have your say on the draft Cost Recovery Implementation Statement and on a future cost recovery review, hear how we shared lessons about managing the WELS scheme with the European Energy Network and more.

InkWELS – Issue 1, 2022

The latest newsletter has arrived with information on Departmental changes; new international standards for water efficiency labelling programmes; updates to the WELS Standard; positive compliance action for online platforms; and investing in modernising our registration system.

International Standard for water efficiency programs

The international standard, ISO 31600:2022 Water efficiency labelling programmes – Requirements with guidance for implementation, was published on 21 June 2022. A key focus of the standard is to provide criteria for developing countries to establish an effective water efficiency labelling program that will save water resources. It takes into consideration that several countries around the world, including Australia’s WELS scheme, already have well-established water efficiency labelling programs which empower consumers to make choices favouring more water efficient fixtures and appliances.

AS/NZS standard amendment published

An update to the WELS standard has been published. The changes provide more accurate information to consumers about the water efficiency and consumption of products, more clearly connects the product being offered and the product’s WELS registration, removes inefficient products from the Australian market and expands the highest possible rating for efficient showers.
  • All
  • InkWELS

InkWELS – Issue 1, 2024

Find out about the upcoming survey on proposed legislative changes to the WELS Determination, reminder for registering WELS minor products, WELS standard included in the Australian Government procurement guide and more.

InkWELS – Issue 3, 2023

Find out how we are making it easier for businesses to comply, working to improve our community’s water knowledge, helping more people learn about the scheme, how you can nominate a new product category next year and more.

InkWELS – Issue 2, 2023

Find out about our compliance and enforcement action over the last financial year, the rollout of our new product registration database, review of product registration fee structure, our free online course and more.

InkWELS – Issue 1, 2023

Find out about the Federal Court of Australia’s judgment in the first civil penalty case under the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005, the WELS Strategic Plan 2022-25, the revised WELS Compliance and Enforcement Policy and more.

InkWELS – Issue 2, 2022

Find out about the outcome of the third Independent review of the WELS scheme, have your say on the draft Cost Recovery Implementation Statement and on a future cost recovery review, hear how we shared lessons about managing the WELS scheme with the European Energy Network and more.

InkWELS – Issue 1, 2022

The latest newsletter has arrived with information on Departmental changes; new international standards for water efficiency labelling programmes; updates to the WELS Standard; positive compliance action for online platforms; and investing in modernising our registration system.

InkWELS – Issue 2, 2021

The InkWELS newsletter provides updates on activities and achievements under the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme.

InkWELS – Issue 1, 2021

The latest newsletter has articles on an update of the 2020 independent review of the WELS scheme; the WELS scheme in Western Australia; registration variant models being registered in bulk, a reminder for model edit applications; and Civil proceedings against 4 companies and their sole director.

InkWELS – Issue 2, 2020

The latest newsletter has articles on the WELS renewal period; the 2020 independent review; WELS joint advertising campaign with WaterMark; and Cancellation of the Handshake flow controller WaterMark certificate.

InkWELS – Issue 1, 2020

The latest newsletter has articles on changes to our department; administration of WELS during the Coronavirus pandemic; grandfathering provisions for 3 star rated showers; expiring product registrations; and amendments to WELS relevant Australian Standards.

InkWELS – Issue 2, 2019

The latest newsletter has articles on the WELS visit to China; the new WELS advertising campaign; an update on WELS and an ISO international Standard; registration status updates; WELS participation in the World Plumbing Conference 2019; and information for registrants on WELS variant registrations.

InkWELS – Issue 1, 2019

The latest newsletter has articles on the new Institute for Sustainable Futures evaluation of the impacts of the WELS scheme; registration status updates; compliance in the building industry; and participation in a modular construction technology forum.

InkWELS – Issue 3, 2018

The latest Water Rating newsletter has arrived, with articles on our Chinese language fact sheets; registration renewals closing; penalties for providing falsified documents in applications; and progress on an ISO international water efficiency standard.

InkWELS – Issue 2, 2018

The latest Water Rating newsletter has arrived, with articles on our compliance and enforcement activities; registration renewals opening in September; changes to labelling requirements in full effect; and simplifying applications for WELS and WaterMark.

InkWELS – Issue 1, 2018

The latest Water Rating newsletter has arrived, with articles on how Australia is driving an International Standard; the new WELS compliance and enforcement strategy; requirements for registering minor products; and promoting WELS to help your business.

InkWELS – Issue 3, 2017

The latest Water Rating newsletter has arrived, with articles on successful eBay compliance actions; updating the WELS website; compliance in new property developments; model name requirements; and a reminder to renew registrations by 5 December.

InkWELS – Issue 2, 2017

The latest Water Rating newsletter has arrived. InkWELS includes short, informative arti​cles on the latest WELS developments and achievements.

InkWELS – Issue 1, 2017

The Water Rating newsletter has returned. InkWELS provides short, informative articles on the latest WELS developments and achievements. InkWELS is published every February, May, August and November.
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