Water Efficiency And WEPLS - The New National Standard
27/09/2010 | Water and energy saving are the words on everyone's lips at the moment and to reflect recent innovations in eco-efficient bathroom products the Bathroom Manufacturers Association will be featuring its recently upgraded product labeling scheme WEPLS on its stand at KBB 2010. The BMA is a trade body with a one hundred year heritage and now represents over 75 bathroom brands operating in the UK. The association has set about reflecting the very latest in water efficient bathroom products with its refurbished WATER EFFICIENT PRODUCT LABELLING SCHEME. The scheme with its new intuitive label designs, more product categories and an all-new web-enabled database of water saving products will be featured at the exhibition. Details of the new database of supporting stockists will also be shown. "WEPLS is now reaching its critical mass," says Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the BMA. "The Scheme has the full support of DEFRA and Department for Communities and Local Government. It also has the support of WaterWise and The Energy Saving Trust and it is backed by the major bathroom manufacturers, builders merchants and the big national DIY stores." "The BMA is delighted to welcome new scheme partners ekbbusiness being the latest to join us who will help drive the project as the catalyst for behavioral change in the UK." Look for the Label Mr. and Mrs. Consumer are becoming increasingly aware of the need to save our precious resources. When they are contemplating refurbishing their bathroom they are looking to install bathroom products which are super eco-efficient to try to reduce their ever-rising utility bills. They are increasingly using the WEPLS database of eco-friendly bathroom products and are "looking for the label". The scheme is web based and easily accessible, and following the major makeover is now easier than ever to use by both consumers and industry professionals. Over 700 water saving products are listed in the scheme which covers categories such as WCs, showers, taps and recycling products, amongst others. Users of the new website at www.water-efficiencylabel.org.uk can look for their dream bathroom, create a shopping list and then search for their local stockist, online. Downloadable fact sheets and technical details and an on-line water consumption calculator enhance the scheme's usability. Links to manufacturers' websites, scheme partners and government sites add to the knowledge base which the website creates. The key to the scheme is the product label. Manufacturers have started applying the easy-to-understand product labels which are roughly based on the familiar energy labels found on white goods. The label shows quite clearly the volume of water that the product will consume if installed according to the manufacturer's instructions by a competent installer. Modern bathrooms have come a long way in recent years and the latest designs have water and energy efficiency built in. This scheme shows only products which meet the strict eco criteria laid down by industry experts. There is now a great opportunity for bathroom installers to show their eco credentials, to use the scheme and to get ahead of their competition installing only products with the WEPLS label. "Members of the BMA are very excited about WEPLS and its recent developments," says Orgill. "2010 will be the year when water efficiency becomes embedded into the nation's consciousness. We are delighted that the Scheme will play a major part in achieving this. WEPLS will become a truly national standard." The BMA will be at KBB 2010 showing on Stand Number EH71 Further Information For further information please email info@bathroom-association.org.uk or telephone 01782 747123 and visit www.bathroom-association.org/