Frequently Asked Questions

The Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) is a voluntary scheme for water-efficient water fittings and appliances launched on 31 Oct 2006 as part of the 10-Litre Challenge. WELS enables consumers to make informed choices on the water efficiency of a product when making purchases. It also helps to raise public awareness on water conservation and encourages more water efficient products on the market.

The Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MWELS) has been put in place on 1 July 2009. The MWELS has a grading system of 0/1/2/3 ticks to reflect the water efficiency of the product.

From 1 Jul 2009, taps, urinals and dual flush cisterns installed in all new developments and premises undergoing renovation, must have at least a "one-tick" water efficiency rating.

The water fittings/appliances covered by the WELS currently include:

Mandatory WELS

• Shower Taps and Mixers
• Basin Taps and Mixers
• Sink/Bib Taps and Mixers
• Dual-Flush Low Capacity Flushing Cisterns
• Urinals and Urinal Flush Valves

Voluntary WELS

• Showerheads
• Clothes Washing Machines

Labelling is primarily the responsibility of all vendors including importers, parallel importers, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers or distributors, of water fittings/appliances listed in the Guidebook on Water Efficient Labelling Scheme. Under MWELS, vendors, including importers, parallel importers, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers or distributors will need to prominently display labels on the products at the point of sale and on their packaging.

For first time registration, you can register for the Mandatory WELS & voluntary WELS. All these can be done online.

1. An application in accordance with the Guidebook on Mandatory and Voluntary Water Efficient Labelling Scheme.
2. Test certificates & Test reports, and conformity assessment body's certification report if relevant, and any other document that is relevant to whether the product concerned complies with the Standard.
3. Photographs of the products.

It is helpful if you provide specifications for your products, which can be in the form of drawings, or alternatively perhaps catalogues, for your products. If you are applying to register a family of products, please provide a table showing the following details of the models included in the family:

• Model names/numbers
• The relevant test reports in relation to the respective models.

No fees are imposed for registering your product under the Mandatory WELS & Voluntary WELS.

There is no need to renew once the water fitting/appliance has been labelled under the Mandatory WELS or Voluntary WELS.

WELS labels shall be printed by the respective User who registered for the product and the label will be in accordance with the design stipulated by PUB. Upon approval by PUB, the User will be given the full information (including its specification) of the label to be printed. Click here for samples of the Mandatory WELS and Voluntary WELS labels.

It is MANDATORY that the product complies with the test standard and requirements stipulated by PUB before a water fitting/appliance qualifies for the water efficient label. In addition, to qualify for a WELS Water Rating label with at least a 1-tick rating, the product must meet the and water efficiency requirements stipulated by PUB before they can be granted a WELS Water Rating Label. Click here for the water efficiency test standards and requirements.

The procedure of registering for a 0-Tick product will be similar to those of other ratings. Under MWELS, importers, parallel importers, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers or distributors will not be required to conduct tests and submit reports on "zero" tick products: these are products that do not meet the at least 1 tick water efficiency water requirement. However, these "zero" tick products must meet the test standard and requirements stipulated by PUB.

You can get your products tested by a conformity assessment body (product certification body/testing laboratory) accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) (opens in new window) or its Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) partners. Click here (opens in new window. Adobe PDF, 1.17MB) for a list of accredited testing laboratories.

Overseas test reports can be accepted provided that the conformity assessment body (product certification body/testing laboratory) is accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) (opens in new window) or its Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) partners. (opens in new window. Adobe PDF, 1.17MB)

The water efficiency label is to be placed/affixed in a prominent position on the display units in the showrooms to let customers view and compare with ease. The marking shall not be removed, defaced or obscured in any manner that may confuse and/or mislead the consumer. In addition to this, vendors shall give every customer a copy of the relevant water efficiency label upon sale of the product. The water efficiency label should not be affixed on the packaging before a sale is made.

PUB will enforce the MWELS using a team of inspectors. The inspectors may:

1. Inspect the WELS products
2. Inspect any advertising documents
3. Take photographs of the products or the related advertising documents
4. Take extracts or make copies of the test reports/certificates of the products

PUB will issue composition notices to retailers and suppliers who display or sell products that are not labelled, or who display fraudulent labels or labels that do not comply with the stipulated design. Composition notice will be issued to any person who, without reasonable excuse, defaces, obstructs, removes or misuses any Water Efficiency Label.

PUB shall withdraw the label from the retailer or supplier if the label is fraudulent.

Misusing of labels includes the following:

1. Displaying fraudulent labels;
2. Displaying labels that do not comply with the stipulated design;
3. Displaying label that are not meant for the particular product