If you supply faucets to the Australian market, two certification schemes shape whether your product gets past the border and onto a job site: WaterMark and WELS. One proves the faucet is safe and fit for purpose. The other tells buyers how much water it uses. Both are mandatory. Neither is optional. And confusing the two can delay shipments, trigger compliance penalties, or flat-out block your product from legal installation. This guide lays out what each scheme demands, where they overlap, and what B2B buyers should verify before placing an order.
WaterMark is Australia’s mandatory certification scheme for plumbing and drainage products. Run by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), it exists to make sure any product connected to a plumbing system won’t compromise health, safety, or infrastructure integrity.
The scheme splits products into two risk tiers. Level 1 covers high-risk items that contact drinking water — faucets, valves, and fittings that sit in the supply path. These products undergo full type testing against an Australian or New Zealand standard (for faucets, that standard is AS/NZS 3718), factory audits, and ongoing surveillance. Level 2 covers lower-risk drainage products that don’t touch potable water, and the testing requirements are lighter.
Every faucet sold for installation in an Australian plumbing system must carry a valid WaterMark licence. Without it, the product cannot be legally installed by a licensed plumber. That is not a suggestion — it is a requirement under the National Construction Code (NCC). Importers, distributors, and project specifiers all share responsibility for compliance.
FAAO faucet product line carries WaterMark certification, which means every model in our catalogue has passed the required testing and can be legally installed in Australian plumbing installations.
WELS — the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme — is a separate, federally run program. Its job is not safety. Its job is transparency. WELS requires that any regulated water-using product sold in Australia displays a label showing how much water it consumes, rated on a 0-to-6 star scale.
For taps and faucets, the label shows the flow rate in litres per minute alongside the star rating. More stars mean lower flow, which means less water per use. The rating is calculated under AS/NZS 6400:2016, the standard that governs testing and labelling for water-efficient products.
Taps covered by WELS include basin taps, kitchen sink taps, and laundry taps. Excluded are bidet taps, bath and spa taps, taps built into appliances, and thermostatic mixing valves. If your faucet falls in the covered category, it must be registered in the WELS database before it can be legally sold or supplied in Australia.
The registration process requires product testing by an accredited laboratory, submission of flow-rate data, and a registration fee paid through the WELS portal. Once registered, every unit sold — whether online or in-store — must display the correct water rating label.
If you are sourcing robinets de lavabo ou kitchen faucets for Australian projects, confirm both WaterMark and WELS compliance before you commit to an order.
| Aspect | Filigrane | WELS |
| Purpose | Product safety and fitness for purpose | Water consumption transparency and efficiency |
| Governing body | ABCB (Australian Building Codes Board) | Australian Government (DCCEEW) |
| Primary standard | AS/NZS 3718 (faucets), AS/NZS 5200 series | AS/NZS 6400:2016 |
| Requirement type | Certification licence (product must pass testing + audit) | Registration (submit test data + pay fee) |
| What it proves | The product will not harm health, safety, or plumbing infrastructure | The product uses a stated amount of water, rated by stars |
| Display requirement | WaterMark logo + licence number on product/packaging | Water rating label (stars + L/min) on product and in listings |
| Enforcement trigger | Plumber cannot legally install non-certified product | Illegal to supply unregistered product; penalties apply |
| Ongoing obligation | Factory audits + periodic surveillance | Annual renewal + label accuracy checks |
The short version: WaterMark answers the question “Is this faucet safe and reliable?” WELS answers “How much water does it use?” Both answers matter. One without the other is incomplete.
Request WaterMark & WELS Compliance Details from FAAO
Most commercial faucets destined for Australian installation need les deux certifications. Here is a practical breakdown:
| Faucet Type | WaterMark Required? | WELS Required? | Raison |
| Basin tap (hand wash) | Oui | Oui | Contacts drinking water path; WELS regulated flow rate |
| Kitchen sink tap | Oui | Oui | Same — potable water contact + regulated category |
| Laundry tap | Oui | Oui | WELS covers laundry taps; WaterMark covers all plumbing fixtures |
| Shower faucet / mixer | Oui | No (shower heads are WELS-regulated; the mixer valve typically is not) | Mixer valve is plumbing product; shower head has separate WELS label |
| Bathtub tap | Oui | No | WELS excludes bath and spa taps |
If you are specifying shower faucets ou robinets de baignoire for a hotel project, WaterMark applies to the mixer body, but the WELS label typically sits on the shower head — not the mixer valve itself. Clarify this with your supplier before you assume the same faucet model covers both.
Getting WaterMark for a faucet is not a form you fill out. It is a structured certification process with multiple checkpoints. Here is what the path looks like:
1. Confirm your product is within scope. Check the ABCB’s WaterMark schedule to verify that your faucet type requires certification and identify which Australian standard applies. For most taps, that standard is AS/NZS 3718.
2. Engage a certified Conformity Assessment Body (CAB). The CAB is an independent testing organization accredited by JAS-ANZ. They will carry out type testing, review your technical documentation, and conduct factory audits. Organizations like SAI Global, IAPMO, and NSF International are common CABs in the plumbing space.
3. Submit product samples for type testing. The CAB tests your faucet against every clause of the applicable standard — material composition, pressure endurance, leakage, temperature performance, and durability. For a basin faucet under AS/NZS 3718, this includes hydrostatic pressure testing, life-cycle testing (minimum 70,000 cycles for the cartridge), and flow-rate verification.
4. Factory audit and quality system review. For Level 1 products, the CAB visits your manufacturing facility. They verify that production processes consistently produce products matching the tested sample. ISO 9001 certification helps here — it demonstrates that the factory runs a documented quality management system.
5. Receive your WaterMark licence. Once testing and audit are complete, the CAB issues a WaterMark licence with a unique number. You must display the WaterMark logo and licence number on the product, its packaging, and any marketing material.
6. Ongoing surveillance. The CAB conducts periodic follow-up inspections and re-testing to confirm continued compliance. If a product changes — different material, new cartridge, revised design — you may need to re-test and update the licence.
FAAO holds WaterMark certification across its faucet range, backed by ISO 9001 quality management. For B2B buyers looking at Chinese faucet manufacturers for commercial projects, WaterMark compliance should be your first verification checkpoint.
Get FAAO’s WaterMark-Certified Faucet Catalogue
WELS registration is simpler than WaterMark certification, but it is still a formal process with legal weight. Skipping it exposes you to infringement notices and supply-chain liability.
1. Test your faucet’s flow rate. An accredited lab measures flow rate in litres per minute under standard conditions (typically at 250 kPa dynamic pressure for basin taps). The test method follows AS/NZS 6400:2016.
2. Calculate the star rating. Based on the measured flow rate, the star rating is determined using the WELS rating formula. For basin taps, the thresholds are roughly:
These ranges are subject to the precise thresholds defined in AS/NZS 6400:2016. Always verify against the current version of the standard before finalizing your rating claim.
3. Register through the WELS portal. Submit the test results, product details, and manufacturer information through the online registration system at the WELS portal. Pay the registration fee (currently set by the WELS Determination).
4. Display the water rating label. Every faucet unit sold must carry the correct WELS label — showing the star rating and flow rate. Online listings must also display this information in text or as an image of the label. The label design follows a prescribed format set by the WELS Determination.
5. Maintain registration. WELS registration is not permanent. Products must be re-registered as required, and any change in flow rate (new aerator, revised internal design) triggers a fresh test and updated registration.
For importers sourcing faucets from China for the Australian market, the practical workflow is: obtain WaterMark first, then complete WELS registration using the same flow-rate data generated during WaterMark type testing. The two processes share a testing foundation, which reduces duplication if you plan the sequence correctly.
For commercial projects — hotels, office buildings, hospitals, schools — the WELS star rating directly affects both compliance and operating cost. Higher-star faucets reduce water bills across hundreds of fixtures, and many green building standards (like NABERS in Australia) reward higher WELS ratings.
Here is a practical guide to choosing the right star level by project type:
| Project Type | Recommended WELS Stars | Typical Flow Rate (L/min) | Why |
| Hotel guest rooms | 4–5 stars | 4.5–7.5 | Balances guest comfort with water savings; supports NABERS targets |
| Office public restrooms | 5–6 stars | 4.5–6.0 | High-traffic area; maximum efficiency reduces utility cost |
| Hospital / healthcare | 4 stars minimum | 6.0–7.5 | Hygiene requires adequate rinse performance; sensor taps help |
| School / university | 5 stars | 4.5–6.0 | Many fixtures; durability + efficiency both matter |
| Restaurant kitchen | 3–4 stars | 7.5–9.0 | Rinse performance prioritized over maximum efficiency |
When you choose basin faucets for hotel projects, a 4-star WELS rating often represents the sweet spot — enough flow for a satisfying handwash, enough efficiency to cut water consumption by roughly 40% compared to an unregulated tap. FAAO’s basin faucet range includes models rated at 4–5 WELS stars, optimized for commercial use.
Discuss WELS-Rated Faucet Options for Your Project
Before you sign a purchase agreement with a faucet supplier targeting the Australian market, run through this checklist:
WaterMark licence number. Ask the supplier for their WaterMark licence number and verify it on the ABCB’s product search database. A valid licence means the product has passed type testing and factory audit. No licence means the product cannot be legally installed.
WELS registration number. Check the WELS public register to confirm the product is registered with a current star rating and flow rate. Unregistered products cannot be legally supplied in Australia — not at retail, not wholesale, not online.
Applicable standard compliance. For faucets, confirm that type testing was done against AS/NZS 3718 (WaterMark) and flow-rate testing against AS/NZS 6400:2016 (WELS). Some suppliers may hold certifications against other standards (CE, ACS, cUPC) — those are valid for other markets, but they do not replace WaterMark or WELS for Australia.
Aerator specification. The aerator determines flow rate, and changing the aerator changes the WELS rating. Confirm that the aerator in the product you are ordering matches the one tested for WELS registration. Swapping a 4-star aerator for a generic one can push the faucet below compliance.
Material and finish consistency. WaterMark type testing is done on a specific material and finish combination. If you order a chrome faucet but the licence was tested on a PVD black version, the certification may not cover your product. Verify that your ordered specification matches the tested specification.
FAAO faucet product line lists models with full specification sheets. Each model is traceable to its certification documentation, so buyers can verify compliance before placing an order.
After years of supplying faucets to the Australian market, we see the same mistakes repeat. Here are the ones that cost buyers time and money:
Mistake 1: Assuming CE or ACS certification covers Australia. CE is for the European Union. ACS is for France. Neither replaces WaterMark. A faucet with CE certification is compliant in Europe — not in Australia. You still need WaterMark and WELS. This catches first-time importers regularly, especially those used to European supply chains.
Mistake 2: Confusing WaterMark level coverage. A Level 2 WaterMark licence does not cover a Level 1 product. Faucets that contact drinking water require Level 1 certification with full type testing and factory audit. If a supplier shows you a Level 2 licence for a basin tap, that licence is invalid for that product type.
Mistake 3: Not verifying WELS registration before selling. WELS compliance is not just the manufacturer’s responsibility. Importers, distributors, and retailers all share legal liability. If you supply an unregistered faucet, you can receive an infringement notice regardless of where you sit in the supply chain.
Mistake 4: Ignoring aerator changes after WELS registration. Swapping the aerator after registration — even to a “better” one — can change the flow rate and invalidate the WELS rating displayed on the label. If you change the aerator, re-test and re-register.
Mistake 5: Not checking certification expiry and scope changes. WaterMark licences and WELS registrations have validity periods. An expired licence or registration means the product is no longer compliant. Check renewal dates before committing to large orders.
For more on avoiding common faucet specification errors, see our guide on commercial basin faucet flow rate standards.
Verify FAAO’s Australian Certification Status
WaterMark certifies that a plumbing product is safe, durable, and fit for purpose under Australian standards. WELS registers and labels the product’s water consumption using a star rating system. WaterMark is a certification scheme requiring type testing and factory audit; WELS is a registration scheme requiring flow-rate testing and labelling. Both are mandatory for regulated faucet types sold in Australia, but they serve different regulatory purposes.
Not all. Every faucet installed in an Australian plumbing system must have WaterMark certification. WELS registration is required only for specific tap categories — basin, kitchen sink, and laundry taps. Bathtub taps, bidet taps, and thermostatic mixing valves are excluded from WELS but still require WaterMark. Check the WELS regulated products list and the WaterMark schedule to confirm which certifications apply to your specific product.
The timeline varies, but a typical WaterMark Level 1 certification for a faucet takes 8–16 weeks. This includes type testing (4–8 weeks), factory audit scheduling (2–4 weeks), documentation review (2–4 weeks), and licence issuance. Delays often come from incomplete documentation, failed test samples, or factory audit findings that require corrective action. Start the process early — do not wait until you need to ship.
For most commercial applications, 4–5 stars is the practical target. A 4-star basin tap delivers 6.0–7.5 L/min, which is adequate for handwashing while saving roughly 40% water compared to an unregulated tap. For high-traffic public restrooms, 5–6 stars (4.5–6.0 L/min) maximizes efficiency. Hospital and kitchen settings may accept 3–4 stars to ensure sufficient rinse performance. Choose based on project type, user expectations, and any green building rating requirements.
No. WaterMark is mandatory for any plumbing product installed in an Australian system. A licensed plumber cannot legally install a faucet without a valid WaterMark licence. Selling or importing such a product for plumbing installation is a breach of the NCC. Products without WaterMark can be sold for non-plumbing purposes (e.g., decorative or export-only), but they cannot be connected to any Australian water supply. If your business model involves Australian installation, WaterMark is non-negotiable.
WaterMark and WELS are not competing standards — they are complementary layers of Australian regulatory compliance. WaterMark proves your faucet is safe and structurally sound. WELS proves it uses water responsibly. For B2B buyers importing faucets into Australia, skipping either one creates real legal and commercial risk. Verify both before you order, confirm that product specifications match the tested versions, and make sure your supply chain carries valid, current registrations.
FAAO supplies WaterMark-certified, WELS-rated faucets built for commercial projects across hotels, hospitals, offices, and retail. If you need compliant products for your next Australian project, reach out to FAAO for certification documentation and product recommendations.
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