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Summary of Proposed Regulations

• Washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, showers, tap equipment and urinal equipment made available for sale, lease, hire or hire purchase to a consumer must have a water efficiency label.
• The water efficiency labels will provide consumers with information on the absolute water consumption of the product, as well as a comparative "star rating".
• The determination of the water consumption and star rating must be carried out by an IANZ accredited laboratory.
• There will be some flexibility around the size and placement of the label. In some instances the label may be attached by a swing tag.
• Water efficiency information will also be required on information and displays used to advertise products.
• On advertising, the information may be provided by "text advice" if there is insufficient room to place a label of readable size.
• The product manufacturer or importer must ensure that the product has been tested in accordance with the regulations and the water efficiency label conveys the correct information.
• It will be the responsibility of the retailer to ensure product for sale is labelled.
• The value of the star ratings are largely the same as those specified in AS/NZS6400:2005. The only significant difference is around the star ratings of products intended for use in low pressure systems.
• For showers and tap equipment a manufacturer must specify whether the product is intended for use in a low or high pressure supply system. The product will be tested against a different testing protocol depending on the intended use. The water efficiency label will inform the consumer about which supply system the product is intended for.
• The regulations will apply to products manufactured or imported into New Zealand after 1 July 2008.

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