WaterMark Certification: What to Check Before Buying Tapware
Buying new tapware for your renovation? Before you fall in love with a style or finish, there’s something I always recommend checking: WaterMark certification. A tap might look fantastic and fit your budget, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s approved for installation in Australia.
It’s easy to overlook, especially when you’re comparing taps online. I’ve renovated enough properties myself to know how frustrating it is when something you’ve chosen isn’t suitable for the job. That’s why I’d check compliance before settling on the finer details.
At Ross’s, we make sure the tapware we sell carries WaterMark approval wherever it’s required. But I still think every Perth homeowner should know what that approval means, how to check it and how it differs from WELS ratings and the newer lead-free requirements.
What Is WaterMark Certification?
The WaterMark Certification Scheme is Australia’s mandatory scheme for specified plumbing and drainage products. It confirms that a product meets the relevant standards and is fit for its intended purpose. For homeowners, it helps establish whether a tap or fitting is authorised for use in an Australian plumbing installation.
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) oversees the WaterMark Certification Scheme, which supports the Plumbing Code of Australia, Volume Three of the National Construction Code. Many taps are certified against AS 3718:2021, while products in contact with drinking water must also meet applicable requirements such as AS/NZS 4020.
Certified products carry the WaterMark trademark and certification details that can be checked against the specific model. Approval for one tap doesn’t automatically cover every product made by the same brand.
One thing I always stress is that WaterMark approval isn’t a quality ranking. It doesn’t tell you whether a tap has a better finish, a longer warranty or a more durable cartridge than another certified model.
Which Tapware Products Need WaterMark Certification?
Many taps and mixers used in Australian homes require WaterMark approval, but the exact rules depend on the product and its intended use. The ABCB’s Schedule of Products identifies the plumbing items covered by the scheme.
For a typical Perth renovation, the common examples include:
- Basin mixers: The basin mixers used in bathrooms and ensuites generally need approval, whether they’re mounted on a vanity or the wall.
- Kitchen mixers: Standard and pull-out kitchen mixers are generally covered by the relevant tapware requirements.
- Laundry taps: Mixers and other regulated taps connected to laundry sinks also fall under the scheme.
- Shower mixers and fittings: Many shower mixers, showerheads and related fittings require WaterMark approval, although they may be certified to different product standards.
WaterMark-approved taps aren’t necessarily subject to the same lead-free rules. Certain shower and bath fittings are treated differently, which I’ll explain later.
I recommend checking the actual product rather than assuming every bathroom accessory needs approval. The category gives you a starting point, but the model details are what matter.
How to Check if Tapware Is WaterMark Certified
You don’t need to be a plumber to check a WaterMark approval. The important thing is to verify the exact product you’re buying, rather than relying on a familiar brand name or a broad claim that the manufacturer’s range is approved.
Find the WaterMark Details on the Product or Paperwork
Start with the packaging, specification sheet or supplier documentation. Look for the WaterMark trademark, the certification licence number and identifying details such as the brand and model number.
These details help you identify WaterMark certified tapware, but they need to relate to the actual model you’re purchasing. If the information isn’t available online, ask the retailer for the relevant documentation before ordering.
Check the Official WaterMark Product Database
The ABCB maintains an official WaterMark Product Database that homeowners can use to check product certification.
- Open the database. Go to the ABCB WaterMark Product Search page.
- Enter the details. Search by licence or certificate number, model ID, model name or brand. The search also offers other fields if you need to narrow the results.
- Check the match. Compare the registered model and product description with the tap you plan to buy. Check its current status and authorised product scope.
- Ask if you’re unsure. If there’s no clear match, request more documentation from the supplier or speak with your licensed plumber before buying.
Here’s a real example. Our Bianca Fixed Bath Spout Only 200mm Brushed Nickel, model NR321503BN, lists WaterMark licence WM-060073 on the manufacturer’s specification sheet. The same sheet covers the available colour variants. You can use those details to check the corresponding ABCB product record, then confirm that the registered model and status match.
A missing search result doesn’t automatically mean a product is uncertified. It may mean you need a different model identifier or more information from the supplier. A few minutes of checking now can save you discovering a problem after you’ve bought the tap.
What Happens if Tapware Isn’t WaterMark Certified?
A tap being available for sale doesn’t mean it’s approved for every plumbing installation. Some uncertified products can be sold, but where WaterMark approval is mandatory, a product without the required certification isn’t authorised for installation.
I’ve always thought this was an important distinction for homeowners. You could find a great-looking mixer online, order it for your bathroom and then discover your plumber can’t fit it. Suddenly you’re finding a replacement instead of getting the renovation finished.
A plumber may refuse to install non-compliant tapware, and using an unsuitable product can create compliance and replacement costs. That’s reason enough to check before ordering, without assuming every tap sold online is a problem.
In WA, replacing a complete basin mixer is also work for a licensed plumber. WaterMark approval confirms the product meets applicable requirements, but it doesn’t give homeowners permission to install it themselves.
WaterMark isn’t the same as the water-efficiency label you’ll see on many taps. That’s where WELS comes in.
WaterMark vs WELS: What’s the Difference?
WaterMark and WELS answer different questions. WaterMark is about whether a regulated plumbing product meets the requirements for its intended use. WELS, short for Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards, tells you how efficiently certain products use water.
| Comparison | WaterMark | WELS |
| Purpose | Plumbing product compliance and fitness for purpose | Water efficiency |
| Evidence | WaterMark trademark, certificate and model details | WELS registration, star rating and water consumption |
| What to check | Match the model and status in the ABCB register | Check the registered rating and litres per minute, where applicable |
A tap can have both because the schemes do different jobs. Where both apply, the relevant WaterMark approval is generally needed for WELS registration. But a WELS star rating on its own isn’t proof that a tap can legally be installed.
I recommend checking both where applicable. WaterMark helps establish compliance, while WELS lets you compare water consumption. Higher WELS stars indicate better water efficiency, not necessarily a better finish, cartridge or warranty.
And not every WaterMark-certified fitting needs a WELS rating. The Bianca fixed bath spout above, for example, is listed by its manufacturer as not requiring one. That makes it a handy reminder to check which rules apply to the product in front of you.
What Is Lead Free WaterMark and What Changed in 2026?
Lead Free WaterMark adds a requirement for certain plumbing products that come into contact with drinking water. It reduces the permitted lead content in affected products, including some brass taps and mixers used in kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.
Which Products Do the Lead-Free Rules Cover?
The changes mainly concern specified copper-alloy products used to carry drinking water. Under the Plumbing Code of Australia, “lead free” means a weighted average lead content of no more than 0.25% for the affected materials. It doesn’t mean absolutely zero lead.
Not every fitting is included. The ABCB’s Schedule of Products excludes certain items, including shower mixers and unrestricted-flow bath outlets, from the new lead-free requirements. They may still need ordinary WaterMark certification.
If you’re buying lead free tapware, check the requirements for that exact product instead of assuming every fitting has to carry the same mark.
Why Do the 2026 and 2028 Dates Differ?
The rules changed in May 2026, but older certified stock didn’t suddenly become unsuitable for installation.
- 1 May 2026: Manufacturers may produce only Lead Free WaterMark-certified versions of products covered by the new requirement.
- 1 May 2028: Eligible existing stock with standard WaterMark certification can still be installed until this extended date under the ABCB’s updated lead-free transition guidance.
I wouldn’t assume an older tap is non-compliant just because it doesn’t display the newer lead-free mark. Check the product’s certification and ask your licensed plumber to confirm that it qualifies under the transition arrangements.
What to Check Before Buying Tapware for Your Renovation
WaterMark approval should be one of the first things you check, but it isn’t the whole buying decision. The tap still needs to work with your plumbing, suit the room and stand up to everyday use.
Five Things I Recommend Checking
- WaterMark approval: Check the exact model against the official database where certification is required. Don’t rely on a claim about the brand alone.
- WELS and lead-free requirements: Check the WELS star rating and flow rate where applicable. For products covered by the lead-free rules, confirm the relevant certification or transition arrangements too.
- Plumbing compatibility: Ask your plumber to confirm the mounting type, connections and other installation requirements before ordering, especially if you’re replacing an existing tap.
- Warranty coverage: Look beyond the number of years advertised. Check what’s covered, including any separate conditions for components and finishes.
- Style and finish: Choose tapware that works with the basin, vanity and other fixtures. I prefer to consider finishes across the whole room rather than pick each fitting in isolation.
When selecting tapware for Ross’s, warranty coverage and the choice of styles and finishes are two things I pay particular attention to. I’ve renovated enough homes to know you want to be happy with what you’ve chosen long after the installation is done.
If you’re weighing up designs and configurations, our bathroom tapware buying guide and guide to choosing tapware for your renovation take those decisions further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few more questions worth clearing up before ordering tapware or booking a plumber.
How Can You Choose Tapware With Confidence?
Start with the exact model. Check its WaterMark status where approval is required, look at WELS and lead-free rules where relevant, and confirm its suitability with your plumber. Then you can focus on the warranty, style and finish that work for your renovation.
At Ross’s, we make sure the tapware we sell carries WaterMark approval wherever it’s required. You can explore our tapware range online or visit our Guildford showroom to compare finishes and ask questions. We’re happy to help you choose something you’ll feel good about long after the job is done.
