G/TBT/N/SGP/17  
 
17 June 2013  
(13-3117)  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 applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Clothes 
Washing Machines Intended for Household Use (HS: 8450.11.10, 8450:11.90, 8450.12.00, 8450.19.10, 8450.19.90, 8450.20.00).  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Draft Public 
Utilities (Water Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, (2 pages, in English). Notice will be published in the Republic of Singapore's Government Gazette when adopted. 
6. Description of content:  The existing Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme 
(MWELS) for clothes washing machines intend ed for household use will be amended to 
mandate a minimum water efficiency level rating of 1-tick. Only clothes washing 
machines registered and labelled under MWELS with a water efficiency level rating of at least 1-tick and higher will be allowed for sale and supply in Singapore. This amendment 
will be with effect from 1 April 2014.  
Background: Singapore's Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MWELS) for 
clothes washing machines intended for household use was introduced in 1 October 2011.  Under the Scheme, such washing machines must be registered and 
labelled to provide information on their water efficiency level before they can be sold or 
supplied.  A rating system of 0/1/2/3 ticks is used to reflect the water efficiency level of such washing machines. For more details, please refer to PUB's website at 
http://www.pub.gov.sg/wels  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  To introduce minimum water efficiency requirements for clothes washing 
machines for household use as part of Si ngapore's effort in water conservation. 
8. Relevant documents:   Draft Public Utilities (Water Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 
2013, 2 pages, English - Notice will be published in the Republic of Singapore's 
Government Gazette when adopted.   
9. Proposed date of adoption:   
 Proposed date of entry into force:  
  Notice will be published prior to the date of 
entry into force. 
1 April 2014 G/TBT/N/SGP/17 
 
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  10. Final date for comments:  60 days from the date of notification  
11. Text available from:  National enquiry point [  ], or address, telephone and fax 
numbers, e-mail and web-site addresse s, if available of the other body:    
Christopher Chua 
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:  mailto:christopher_chua@pub.gov.sg    
 
Elaine Quek 
Senior Assistant Director 
Water Policy Division 
Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources 40 Scotts Road  #23-00 Environment Building  
Singapore 228231  Republic of Singapore 
Tel:  (65) 6731 9876   Fax:  (65) 6731 9456 Email:  mailto:elaine_quek@mewr.gov.sg