WaterMark Certification: The Non-Negotiable Key to Selling Plumbing Products in Australia

For any manufacturer or importer of toilets, faucets, or kitchen sinks, obtaining WaterMark certification is the single most important administrative task before a single product can be sold. Administered by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), the WaterMark Certification Scheme provides a nationally consistent framework for plumbing and drainage products.

The scheme is designed to ensure that products are safe, reliable, and fit for their intended purpose. This is crucial for protecting public health, safety, and welfare by preventing issues such as water contamination, backflow, and system failures that could cause property damage. The certification process involves a rigorous assessment of a product’s design, performance, and manufacturing quality against specific Australian Standards (AS/NZS).

Products are categorised into two risk-based levels:

WaterMark Level 1: This applies to high-risk products where failure could cause widespread loss of amenity, serious illness, or death. This includes products related to drinking water, such as certain valves and backflow prevention devices. Certification for Level 1 products involves mandatory third-party assessment by a JAS-ANZ accredited Conformity Assessment Body (CAB), including rigorous product testing and ongoing audits of the manufacturing facility.

WaterMark Level 2: This covers medium-to-low-risk products, including most toilets, faucets (taps), and kitchen sinks. While still mandatory, the conformity assessment can sometimes be conducted by the manufacturer itself (first-party) if they hold a certified Quality Management System (e.g., ISO 9001). However, most brands opt for third-party certification to enhance credibility. The process always includes testing against relevant standards.

Key standards include AS/NZS 6400 for water-efficient products, AS/NZS 3718 for tapware (which specifies requirements for materials, finish durability, and flow rate), and various AS/NZS standards for ceramic ware (sinks and toilets). The certification process can be lengthy and costly, requiring product samples to be tested in accredited Australian laboratories. However, this investment is essential for market access, building trust with specifiers (plumbers and builders), and protecting your brand from liability.