在新加坡、马来西亚、中国和新西兰的帮助下,澳大利亚标准协会递交了一项新的水效标识国际标准提案。此项标准旨在进一步减少生活用水浪费,支持政府的水效标识与标准(WELS)计划,方便更多国家更容易从使用节水产品中受益。
水是世界上最宝贵的资源,我们都有责任合理地利用它。联合国可持续发展目标第6项(SDG6)指出安全用水和卫生设施对于人类健康、可持续发展以及经济增长都至关重要。
作为澳大利亚提高用水效率承诺的一部分,农业和水资源部负责管理WELS计划。WELS通过告知消费者在销售点的用水效率,降低消费者对高品质饮用水的需求。
新提案遵循澳大利亚标准协会通过WS-032节水设备技术委员会制定的澳大利亚与新西兰标准AS/NZS 6400节水产品—等级和标识标准。这项标准有助于提高水资源利用效率的澳大利亚,帮助消费者明确哪些产品具备“最佳”的水资源利用效率。
此项国际标准提案将有助于特定产品的制造商在共同的市场上交易,从而实现竞争并鼓励最佳实践。同时也可以使消费者更加合理地利用水资源。
农业与水资源部WELS协调人保罗.莫里斯先生称国际标准将有助于全球范围内的消费者和企业减少水资源浪费。
“澳大利亚WELS计划在减少澳大利亚国内用水方面非常成功。消费者借助WELS标识上的信息作出明智的购买决定,从而节省水费、电费。” 莫里斯先生说,“到2021年,节水产品的使用预计每年将节省近1500亿升的生活用水,足够填满6万个奥运游泳池。”
“此外,通过节约水和能源,澳大利亚总体将节省超过10亿美元的支出。”
“国际标准将通过降低制造成本,使澳大利亚消费者和制造商受益,并帮助其他国家实施节水计划,节约用水,从而降低对昂贵的水资源基础设施的需求。”
澳大利亚标准协会首席执行官布朗温.埃文斯博士因该委员会将澳大利亚定位为这一倡议的领导者而对其进行称赞。
“国际标准将统一现有的国家体系,并有助于推动共同市场的发展。”
“澳大利亚作为这一重要工作范畴的推动者,正同各国一起努力改造世界合作的方式,以减小人类对地球的负面影响,” 埃文斯博士说。
该标准涉及以下产品:
l 淋浴设备
l 水龙头设备
l 流量控制器
l 洁具
l 小便器
l 洗碗机
l 洗衣机
l 用水来干燥的组合式洗衣/干衣机的干衣功能
澳大利亚标准协会的提案已由国际标准化组织(ISO)注册。目前161个ISO成员机构将在该提案投入使用前对其进行审议和评估。
Increasing the efficiency of our water use
Standards Australia has submitted a proposal for a new International Standard on water efficiency labelling with the help of Singapore, Malaysia, China and New Zealand. This aims to further reduce domestic water wastage, support the government’s Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme and make it easier for more countries to benefit from using water efficient products.
Water is the world’s most precious resource and we all have a responsibility to use it wisely. The UN's Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) notes that access to safe water and sanitation is essential to human health, sustainability and economic growth.
As part of Australia’s commitment to greater water efficiency, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources manages the WELS scheme. WELS reduces demand for high quality drinkable water by informing consumers about water efficiency at the point of sale.
The new proposal follows Standards Australia’s development of the joint Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 6400, Water efficient products - Rating and labelling, through the technical committee WS-032, Water Efficient Appliances. This standard contributes to a more water efficient Australia and helps consumers identify which products are “best-of-breed” when it comes to water usage.
The proposed International Standard would assist manufacturers of specified products to transact in a common market, enabling competition and encouraging best practice. It would also empower consumers to use water more wisely.
The WELS Regulator in the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Mr Paul Morris, said an international standard would benefit both consumers and business in reducing water wastage globally
“Australia’s WELS scheme has been very successful in reducing domestic water use in Australia. Consumers use the information on the WELS label to make informed purchasing decisions that save water and save money on utility bills,” said Mr Morris.
“By 2021 it is estimated that use of water efficient products will help to reduce domestic water use by nearly 150,000 megalitres each year—enough water to fill 60,000 Olympic swimming pools.
“In addition, Australians will save more than one billion dollars overall through reduced water and energy bills.
“An international standard will benefit Australian consumers and manufacturers by reducing manufacturing costs, and will help other countries implement water efficiency schemes that can save water and reduce the need for costly water infrastructure.”
Standards Australia CEO, Dr Bronwyn Evans, applauded the committee for positioning Australia as a leader for this initiative.
“An international standard would harmonise existing national systems and help facilitate a common market.
“With Australia driving this important area of work, we are shaping the way the world works together to reduce our global impact,” said Dr Evans.
The standard relates to the following range of products:
• Showers
• Tap equipment
• Flow controllers
• Lavatory equipment
• Urinal equipment
• Dishwashers
• Clothes washing machines
• The dryer function of combination washer/dryers, where they use water to dry a load
Standards Australia’s submission has been registered with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The 161 member bodies of ISO will now consider and assess the proposal before commencing work.