Have you checked if the products you are buying or installing are certified for use in Australia?
The WaterMark Certification Scheme is a mandatory national scheme for plumbing and drainage products to ensure they are fit for purpose and appropriately authorised for use in plumbing and drainage installations. This means that a material or product has been tested and evaluated to an approved product specification and certified by an accredited organisation.
How do I know if a plumbing product is WaterMark certified?
Certified products can be identified by the WaterMark certification trademark, which must appear on a product or its packaging, along with its WaterMark licence number and the applicable product specification. Certified products are listed on the WaterMark Product Database.
The WaterMark Product Database provides consumers, industry professionals and regulators an access point to confirm if a product has been certified before purchasing or installing the product. This simple check helps ensure that your plumbing and drainage systems work properly and the water you use is safe.
All products that are intended for use in a plumbing and drainage installation must undergo a risk assessment to identify any likely risk of manufacturing faults and installation failures. Products with identified risks that require mitigation through the Scheme are listed on the WaterMark Schedule of Products. Likewise, products with identified risks that don’t require WaterMark certification are listed on the Schedule of Excluded Products. Both schedules can be found on the WaterMark website.
How does the Product Database work?
A certified plumbing or drainage product that has been evaluated to the applicable product specification is issued with a WaterMark certificate of conformity, including a WaterMark licence number. The product and its certification details must also be listed on the WaterMark Product Database.
The WaterMark Product Database allows users to search for certificates and products by WaterMark licence number, brand and/or model name, model ID, licensee name or product description.
The search filter options provide refined search results that allow you to search by product category, product specification or brand name. From the search results, you can select a specific certificate/product to view more detailed information.
The WaterMark Product Database is located on the WaterMark website and can be viewed on portable devices. A short video, Using the Product Database, is also available to help you navigate the WaterMark Product Database, search for certificates or products, and download key information.
What does it mean if you can’t find a WaterMark or licence number on either the product, its packaging or on the WaterMark Product Database?
It could mean one of three things:
- Not all plumbing and drainage materials or products require WaterMark certification. Check the Schedule of Excluded Products to see if the product is listed there.
- It could be a new product that has not yet had a risk evaluation undertaken to determine whether it is required to be WaterMark certified or not.
- It has not been WaterMark certified, which means it may not be authorised for use.
If in doubt about whether a product needs or has WaterMark certification, you should check with your plumbing practitioner or approving authority.
Remember, a simple check of the WaterMark Product Database next time you are considering purchasing or installing tapware, toilets, showerheads or any other plumbing product, can go a long way to ensure the health and safety of you, your family and even your neighbours.
For more information, or to check the WaterMark Product Database, visit: watermark.abcb.gov.au/look.
This news item is courtesy of the Australian Building Codes Board.