The Water Supplies Department (WSD) will launch the requirements for mandatory use of devices registered under the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) on February 1 to further increase the usage of water-saving devices and enhance water efficiency.

     Under the mandatory requirements, for plumbing works for kitchens of domestic premises as well as for bathrooms and toilets in all premises that involve installation of showers for bathing, water taps and urinal flushing valves, models of devices registered under the WELS should be used unless exemption is granted under special circumstances.

     There is a one-year grace period. Upon the expiry of the grace period (i.e. from February 1, 2018), the Water Authority will only accept plumbing works applications that comply with the above requirements.

     The WSD launched the voluntary WELS in 2009 to help consumers choose water-efficient appliances and devices to save water. The Department subsequently collected views from different stakeholder groups, including suppliers, buyers, service providers and laboratories, to formulate the mandatory requirements.

     Details of the mandatory requirements are available on the WSD's website (www.wsd.gov.hk/en/plumbing_and_engineering/circular_letters/index.html). For enquiries, please call the department's 24-hour hotline at 2824 5000 or email to wsdinfo@wsd.gov.hk.

Ends/Friday, January 20, 2017
Issued at HKT 10:00

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