Related EU Projects

The European Commission has identified labelling as a means of encouraging consumers to opt for water efficient products. A common water label at the European level would help countries achieve water efficiency in a cohesive way. This paper examines some of the water labelling schemes currently implemented in countries around the world in order to draw together a knowledge-base of water labelling best practice. Mandatory labels are shown to be most effective at encouraging consumer uptake, while additional supportive information (such as product performance data and potential financial savings) would help inform consumer purchase decisions. Consideration of national implications, economic impact, regulation and enforcement and establishing impact indicators, are all shown to be vital components of an effective water labelling scheme.

Practical application:

A Europe-wide water label would help promote the uptake of water-efficient products by providing consumers with information about the water consumption characteristics of products at the point of sale. It is intended that the water labelling best practice presented here is used by policy makers and regulators to help inform future initiatives in introducing a Europe-wide water label. Incorporating lessons from best practice will help ensure that such an initiative will achieve its full water saving potential by encouraging consumer purchasing, and pushing market development, towards highly water-efficient products and, ultimately, reducing household water consumption.

Kelly, D. (2015). Labelling and water conservation: A European perspective on a global challenge. Building Services Engineering Research and Technology, [online] 36(6), pp.643-657. Available at:

Link

[Accessed 29 Jan. 2018].

The purpose of this study, commissioned by Environment Australia, was to examine the potential for, and impacts of, introducing a national mandatory water efficiency labelling (WEL) scheme and minimum water efficiency standards (WES) for appliances, fixtures and fittings as a method of reducing urban water consumption. One example of such a scheme is the National Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Program (NAEEEP) where labelling and water performance requirements are specified in relevant Australian Standards, given effect by regulation and managed by government agencies.

The regulatory framework for implementation was outside the scope of this study. However, the study’s conclusions are based on the assumption that whatever framework is adopted, it would be no less effective in enforcing minimum product performance standards and mandatory labelling at the point of sale, than is the current State-based framework for energy labelling and standards.

The study suggested that mandatory labelling for water efficient products should be applied to shower heads, toilet suites (i.e. cisterns) and washing machines as the potential water savings are high, therefore being the most cost-effective. It was noted that water efficiency labelling was the most cost-effective for shower heads and washing machines. The study also recommends that mandatory labelling will also be introduced for dishwashers as their water consumption is rising, even though the potential water savings are lower.

George Wilkenfeld and Associates Pty Ltd (2003). A Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme for Australia. [online] Available at:

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.472.1367&rep=rep1&type=pdf [Accessed 29 Jan. 2018].