G/TBT/N/SGP/29  
 
26 July 2016  
(16-3961)  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 (Public Utilities Board) 
Name and address (including telephon e 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 applic able, otherwise national tariff heading. 
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Clothes Washing 
Machines Intended for Household Use. Nation al tariff headings: 8450.11.10, 8450.11.90, 
8450.12.00, 8450.19.10, 8450.19.90, 8450.20.00. 
5. Title, number of pages and langua ge(s) of the notified document: Water Efficiency 
Labelling Scheme Guidebook, English. 
Notice will be published on PUB's website ( http://www.pub.gov.sg ) when adopted. 
6. Description of content: Singapore's Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme 
(MWELS) for clothes washing machines intended for household use was introduced in 
2011. Under the Scheme, all clothes washing machines intended for household use must 
be registered and labelled to provide informatio n on their water efficiency level before they 
can be sold or supplied in Singapore. In October 2015, the minimum water efficiency 
standard for washing machines was raised to 2-tick rating as part of Singapore's effort in 
water conservation. Currently, MWELS for clothes washing machines intended for household use consists of 2 levels of water efficiency ratings: 2-ticks and 3-ticks.  
The rating scale of the Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MWELS) for clothes 
washing machines intended for household use will be amended to introduce a new 4-tick 
water efficiency rating. This amendment will come into effect from 31 March 2017. The revised rating scale for water efficiency is tabulated here: 
Current WELS Rating Proposed WELS Rating 
Flush Volume Requirements for Water 
Efficiency Labelling 
Per Kg Washload 
Very Good (2 Ticks): > 9 to 12 litres 
Excellent (3 Ticks): 9 litres or less Flush Volume Requirements for Water 
Efficiency Labelling 
Per Kg Washload 
2-Ticks: > 9 to 12 litres 
3-Ticks: > 6 to 9 litres  
4-ticks: 6 litres or less 
 G/TBT/N/SGP/29 
 
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  7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable: The proposed introduction of a new 4-tick water efficiency rating for washing 
machine is part of Singapore's effort in water conservation. The market share of 3-ticks 
washing machines has grown to 87%. Given the high market penetration of such washing 
machines, PUB will be introducing a new 4-tick rating to allow for finer differentiation of water efficiency within the current 3-tick rating band to enable consumers to make a more 
informed decision if they wish to purchase a highly water-efficient washing machine. PUB 
will continue its regular review of water efficiency standards for clothes washing machines to ensure that these standards keep pace with latest market developments and 
internationally-recognised best practices.  
8. Relevant documents: Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme Guidebook. Annex A – Current 
and revised MWELS rating for clothes washing machines. Notice will be published on PUB's 
website ( http://www.pub.gov.sg ) when adopted.  
9. Proposed date of adoption: Notice will be published prior to the date of entry into force. 
Proposed date of entry into force: 31 March 2017   
10. Final date for comments: 60 days from the date of 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. Tan Kah Kyee 
Principal Engineer Water Supply (Network) Department PUB Singapore 
40 Scotts Road #10-01 Environment Building 
Singapore 228231  Republic of Singapore 
Tel: (65) 6731 3669 
Fax: (65) 6731 3023 E-mail: pub_waterfittings@pub.gov.sg /tan_kah_kyee@pub.gov.sg   
2. Tay Yuan Sherng 
Senior Assistant Director Water Policy Division Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources 
40 Scotts Road #24-00 Environment Building 
Singapore 228231 Republic of Singapore 
Tel: (65) 6731 9038 
Fax: (65) 6731 9456 E-mail: tay_yuan_sherng@mewr.gov.sg