G/TBT/N/SGP/58  
2 March 2021  
(21-1761) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  SINGAPORE   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:  PUB, The National Water Agency  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  
Water -closet flush valves  
National tariff headings (HS): 7324.90.10, 7324.90.93, 8481.80.50  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Annex - Draft 
Public Utilities (Water Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 2021. (4 page(s), in English)  
Notice will be published in the Republic of Singapore's Government Gazette when 
adopted.  
6. Description of content:  Singapore's Mandatory Water Efficienc y Labelling Scheme 
(MWELS) was introduced in 2009 to help consumers make more informed purchasing 
decisions and encourage suppliers to introduce more water -efficient products into the 
market. Currently, the MWELS covers water fittings and appliances such a s taps and 
mixers, dual -flush low capacity flushing cisterns, urinal flush valves, waterless urinals, 
household washing machines and dishwashers. It is mandatory for suppliers and retailers 
to obtain the relevant water efficiency registration and labels fo r their products, before 
they are allowed to be supplied or offered, advertised or displayed for sale and installation 
in Singapore.  
From 1 Jan 2022, the MWELS will be extended to include water -closet flush values. While 
import of water -closet flush valves to Singapore is still allowed, only water -closet flush 
valves that are registered and labelled under MWELS with 2 -ticks water consumption 
efficiency or better will be allowed to be supplied or offered, advertised or displayed for 
sale and installati on in Singapore. Accordingly, the Public Utilities (Water Supply) 
Regulations will be amended to require water -closet flush valves that are supplied or 
offered, displayed, or advertised for sale or supply in Singapore to be registered and 
affixed with wate r efficiency labels under the MWELS. Such water -closet flush valves must 
be tested according to the stipulated method in the Public Utilities (Water Supply) 
Regulations. The amendment will take effect from 1 Jan 2022.  G/TBT/N/SGP/58  
 
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  7. Objective and rationale, including  the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Water -closet flush valves account for a large part of water usage, especially 
in public toilets, industrial and commercial premises. As part of Singapore's efforts to 
drive water conservation and ensure sust ainable water usage, the minimum water 
efficiency for water closet flush valves will be raised from 1 -tick to 2 -ticks. This will provide 
consumers with information on the water efficiency of such water -closet flush valves via 
labels, and hence empower them  to make more informed purchasing decisions.  
For more details on MWELS, please refer to PUB's website at 
https://www.pub.gov.sg/wels  
8. Relevant documents:   
• Draft Public Utilities (Water Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, 4 pages, 
English  
Notice will be published in the Republic of Singapore's Government Gazette when 
adopted.  
9. Proposed date of adoption:  Notice will be published prior to the date of entry into force  
Proposed date of entry int o force:  1 January 2022  
10. Final date for comments:  60 days from notification  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
1. Roland Chan  
Principal Engineer  
Water Supply (Network) Department  
PUB Singapore  
40 Scotts Road #10 -01 Environment Building Singapore 228231  
Republic of Singapore  
tel: (65) 6330 4108 fax: (65) 6731 3023  
e-mail: roland_chan@ pub.gov.sg   
2. Veronica Koh  
Senior Executive  
Water and Food Policy Division  
Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment  
40 Scotts Road #24 -00 Environment Building Singapore 228231  
Republic of Singapore  
tel : (65) 6731 9140 fax : (65) 6731 9456  
e-mail: veronica_koh@mse.gov.sg