WaterMark certification protects community health and safety. A certified product is fit for purpose and authorised for installation, and guaranteed to be suitable for use by you, your family and your friends.

The National Construction Code requires any plumbing product listed on the WaterMark Schedule of Products to be WaterMark certified, before it can be installed by a licensed plumber.

If a product listed on the Schedule of Products is to be installed in Australia, including those purchased via online stores like eBay and Amazon, the product must be:

  • WaterMark certified
  • marked with the WaterMark trademark, WaterMark licence number and the applicable product specification
  • listed on the WaterMark product database, and
  • provided with a Scope of Use statement specifying its intended use.
WaterMark logo example

Any associated product packaging and promotional material may also be marked with the WaterMark trade mark and licence number.
 

For these reasons it’s important that you LOOK for the WaterMark on products and packaging before purchasing to ensure the product is certified and authorised for installation. If you’re buying online, ask the supplier for this information if it’s not available on the website

What about installation?

It is legal to sell non-WaterMark certified plumbing and drainage products in Australia. However, if the product type is listed on the WaterMark Schedule of Products, but is not WaterMark certified, a licensed plumber is not permitted to install it.

Also, if a non-WaterMark certified product is installed where a WaterMark certified product is required by the NCC, your local plumbing authority may not accept the installation.

Some consequences of not using WaterMark certified products where required include:

  • product failure resulting in possible contamination of domestic and community water supply
  • costs of replacing materials
  • product failure resulting in possible building damage and loss, and
  • possible voided insurance.

Plumbing work being undertaken by unlicensed people can attract penalties from your local plumbing authority.