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WATERFORLIFE
ISSUE TWO FEBRUARY 2015
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Welcome to this issue of Water For Life, the specially produced magazine packed with information about the most important of our earth’s resources, the prerequisite for our health and well-being.
It’s two years since our last edition and in that time there has been a massive
expansion of the European Water Label. In the last twelve months alone the number of products registered has doubled.
The pace of change in the world is staggering and the pressure on our natural resources is increasing like never before. The entirely voluntary European Water Label, together with its partners and supporters from the European bathroom industry, is playing a major role in the dissemination of important information about using water wisely. Consumers and industry professionals alike use the Label to help them reduce their water and energy consumption.
May I invite you to take a long look at Water For Life, consider what the articles have to say and take inspiration to do your part in the drive to save water and energy for the sake of our future generations.
I hope you enjoy it.
Yvonne OrgillDirector European Water Label
Fresh Start at the CommissionJean-Claude Juncker was elected President of the European Commission, by a strong majority, in late 2014 and quickly set about setting up a new Commission calling it a “fresh start.”
In building his team he appointed the Maltese national Karmenu Vella as Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and laid out his plans for the Commission’s environment policy.
In a letter from Junker to his new environment head he prioritised his goals and objectives and explained exactly what he expected. He said that he wanted the new Commission to be “bigger and more ambitious on big things … ensuring effective implementation and follow up …” He also said that the Union “only succeeds when everyone is pulling in the same direction.”
He also stressed the need for team work to shape coherent policies and deliver results and “better regulation”. He then went on to outline the specific policies for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
Ensuring the sustainability of the environment and preservation of natural resources and the conservation of our marine biological resource are his key objectives. Junker wants the “Green Growth” approach to environmental policy to be further developed and he is looking for “environmental innovations” which industry can successfully implement.
Junker outlined six policy areas which are to be focused upon. These include overhauling the existing legislative framework, taking stock of existing negotiations, implementing fisheries policy and shaping ocean governance, and progressing the resource-efficiency agenda by working on the “circular economy.”
During a speech on 1 December 2014 Karmenu Vella added further details to Juncker’s plans and spoke about the challenge of environmental sustainability. He said that “we have to understand that adding layer upon layer of environmental legislation could be economically unproductive.”
So the new Commission has its plans for the next five years. It wants to think big and embrace environmental innovation. It wants to overhaul its laws and steer clear of layers of legislation. Clearly, the approach which the European bathroom industry has been taking over the last few years is well in line with Junker’s plans.
The entirely voluntary and industry-led European Water Labelling Scheme meets all his objectives head on and working together with the Commission our industry can, and will, lead the advancement of those objectives without the red tape of new legislation.
http://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/cwt/files/commissioner_mission_letters/vella_en.pdf
It seems almost incredible that 25 % of the domestic water consumption is used for flushing the toilets, according to a study conducted by the IRC - IPTS. A certain amount of water is needed in order to fulfil hygienic aspects as well as the demand for the functioning of the waste water system(s). Nevertheless, water is a precious natural resource.
The manufacturers of sanitary ware are fully aware of this fact. Therefore the product`s economical use of water has been taken into account for many years by the German ceramic sanitary ware manufacturers.
Regarding the technical necessities, the choice of the right product is one additional element for achieving further water saving. The second, however not least parameter, is the user`s behaviour.
While it is impossible to change the complete piping of the waste water system all over Europe, due to the costs, the only way for saving drinking water in the bathroom is the growth of sensitivity. The European Water Label is a good tool to inform customers about water consumption.
Hence, the Fachverband Sanitär-Keramische Industrie e.V. and his members support the European Water Label.
Christoph René HollerDirector
As confirmed in the European Commission’s circular economy package, resource efficiency is essential to the creation of a sustainable Europe.
Among other things, a circular economy means preventing the loss of valuable materials and reducing environmental impacts. It therefore follows that water, a natural resource key to our survival and well-being, must be treated with care.
Water efficiency has both environmental and economic benefits. In this respect, the European ceramic sanitaryware sector has developed a voluntary water label which helps customers find the best performing product in terms of water consumption. The water label scheme, EU Water Label (EWL), is a single and voluntary harmonised European label for all bathroom products, including sanitaryware.
As President of the European Federation of Ceramic Sanitaryware Manufacturers (FECS), and on behalf of all the members, I can state that we are committed to supporting and promoting the EWL scheme. Throughout the past year FECS experts have been diligently working to establish the criteria for ceramic sanitaryware products under the scheme.
I am pleased to report that these criteria were recently approved and can be found on the EWL website. With the work officially concluded, the EU Water Label scheme now covers ceramic sanitaryware.
President of FECS
Miquel-Angel Munar
The European Federation of Ceramic Sanitaryware Manufacturers (FECS) strongly supports the European Water Label (EWL), a voluntary and flexible scheme to measure the water consumption of bathroom products. Customers will be equipped with a tool to help them to decide on the most water efficient product and hence save water and energy. This helps keep the energy bills low and save money.
In the Ecodesign working plan 2012-2014, the European Commission announced its intention to carry out a preparatory study on water-related products to investigate
if the environmental performance of these products could be improved. Ceramic sanitaryware is part of this product group and a preparatory study may take place in the future. Having this in mind, FECS decided in 2013 to support the EWL scheme to avoid potential mandatory Ecodesign requirements for ceramic sanitaryware. In 2014, FECS experts developed the technical aspects for different ceramic bathroom product groups which were recently approved by the FECS board and added to the EWL website.
FECS, which is a member of the European Ceramic Industry Association (Cerame-Unie), promotes the interests of the ceramic sanitaryware industry at European level. The association was established in Geneva in 1954 and moved to Brussels in 2009. Today it represents six national trade associations and companies from the European Union, Turkey and Switzerland.
Miquel-Angel Munar
CEIR, the European Association for the Taps and Valve Industry, together with their full membership, shared extensive knowledge and expertise during the ongoing development of the European Water Label. Being a strong committed partner, CEIR has helped the European Water Label to be recognised as the leading labelling scheme for all water using products found in the European bathroom.
Working together in partnership with national associations across Europe and FECS (European Federation of Ceramic Sanitaryware Manufacturers) has been key in bringing together the complexities, nuances, existing legislation, differing product standards and corporate viewpoints across the member states of Europe.
As CEIR President I am proud to be leading a proactive Association that recognises that all voices whether small or loud are heard and concerns addressed in a common sense approach. An Association that provides guidance and communication on the European Commission’s strategy to its broad membership, one that voices concern from the manufacturing base.
The European Water Label is a successful, well respected initiative that now has the support of 86 leading bathroom brands and a comprehensive database of 8,000 registered products which is growing on a weekly basis. CEIR and its membership are committed to the Scheme, a voluntary harmonised Label, providing the consumer with vital information to make an informed choice on product efficiency and one that dovetails into the European Commission’s circular economy strategy, maintaining the supply of a natural resource at the same time as building a sustainable Europe.
Klaus SchneiderPresident CEIRMD Keramik Laufen AG/Similor AG
Partnerships are Key
Klaus Schneider
Since then it has been cautiously and painstakingly developed over many years, during which time successful partnerships with leading European organisations, manufacturers and trade bodies were established. These include CEIR (the European Association for the Taps and Valves Industry) and FECS (Fédération Européenne des Fabricants de Céramiques Sanitaires), together with FSKI (Fachverband Sanitär-Keramische Industrie e.V), - an association representing the interests of German ceramic sanitaryware manufacturers and ANFACESA (the Spanish Association of Ceramic Sanitary Ware Manufacturers).
The result of this engagement has resulted in a scheme which fully embodies the nuances of individual participating countries. It has blossomed into a stand-alone, not-for-profit organisation encompassing 76 major bathroom brands and supporting a database of 7,350 registered products across 34 nation states.
It has become authoritative and well respected and, being entirely voluntary, it is inexpensive to operate, simple to administer, flexible and fast paced.
The continuity of our natural resources is one of the most important issues facing our future generations. With that in mind, the European Water Labelling Scheme was created and is now firmly established across Europe and beyond.
The scheme’s online database and accompanying product label shows the water consumption characteristics of bathroom and kitchen products using a simple-to-understand approach so that consumers and industry professionals alike can choose products to suit their lifestyle and budgets in an informed and educated way.
The Scheme is proving to be a ‘force for good.’
A Major influencer
What was once just a simple idea, and a stimulating discussion amongst a group of like-minded individuals, is now a major influencer for all sectors in the bathroom and kitchen supply chain. The European Water Labelling Scheme was created from the ground up in 2006 by members of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.
The European Water Label: A force for good
Recent additions to the information which the Label provides have been the incorporation of energy consumption data and ceramic
sanitaryware standards.
Although water is the main metric of the scheme it is recognised that energy saving is also key to raising awareness amongst
consumers of the importance of using water more wisely. Since a quarter of household energy bills are associated with hot water it is
logical to include energy aspects to the Label for taps and showers.
A specific label for these products, which includes the additional energy icon, has been designed and is now available.
During 2015, further development of these technical icons, with robust test criteria, will allow manufacturers to customise the label
to suit their particular product range.
Additionally, and specifically targeted at construction professionals, new criteria has been included to embrace Sanitaryware Class 1 and
2 and the distinctions of EN 997 and EN 14055.
The uptake of the labelling scheme is gathering pace with major manufacturers, retailers, and the media registering their companies and products on the web-enabled database. The brands which now support the scheme currently represent over 57% of the European bathroom market.
Gathering Pace
More information
New Marketing & Training MaterialsTo enhance its visibility, new marketing and promotional material has been launched. This is being used by companies who have registered either as a brand, scheme supporter, or stockist.
The design elements of the new materials have been developed and tested using feedback from consumers and plumbers. They are intended to support exiting materials, add to their flexibility and produce a consistent message. The materials fully explain the European Water Label using three different styles, each created to provide a flexible suite of graphics and support information that can be used ‘as is’ or adapted to suit a corporate style.
www.europeanwaterlabel.eu/marketingmaterial.asp.
New training materials have also been created, including guides for retailers’ and merchants’ staff, manufacturers, trade associations and other organisations.
Two PowerPoint presentations help sales and manufacturing teams understand the benefits of the European Water Label. They can be used by registered companies with their own logo. http://www.europeanwaterlabel.eu/educationalmaterial.asp.
A short explanatory video can also be seen on the schemes website.
The European Water Label is used increasingly by bathroom and kitchen retailers who have acknowledged its power as a sales and marketing tool. Consumers wanting to cut back on energy and water consumption costs are now asking for labelled products, and caring retailers are giving them the advice and choice which the scheme provides. Retailers are displaying the European Water Label in their showrooms and have also taken advantage of a free listing, as stockists, available in the database.
Marketplace Uptake
A Catalyst for ChangeThe award winning European Water Label was developed steadily and prudently. Manufacturers and those in the bathrooms and kitchens distribution were consulted, ideas and views taken on board and consensus reached. The scheme is now, undeniably, the most important labelling scheme of its type and is proving to be a huge catalyst for change and a force for good.
What’s Next?The European Water Label has grown rapidly since its launch just a decade ago and, like the pace of life itself, its growth is accelerating.
Ten years ago the United Nations launched its International Decade for Action which aimed to put water and sanitation at the top of the world’s agenda. It challenged world leaders to ensure everyone was aware of the urgency of the situation.During that decade the voluntary European Water Labelling Scheme played a major part in educating the public about the water-using characteristics of bathroom and kitchen products.
Since 2005 the bathroom and kitchen market has developed, evolved and progressed. So too has the label. The Directors and Partners of the scheme are not ones to ‘rest on their laurels’ and have been keen to ensure that the label reflects the market it serves. They are always striving to build upon its success and develop it further so that it becomes the ‘go-to’ database for water (and now energy) consumption information.
Now, as the UN’s International Decade for Action comes to its close, the labelling scheme is taking a further step forward with major industry initiative. Recognising that consumers need more information to assist them in their product choice, the Label is being completely upgraded. Those bathroom and kitchen products which consume hot water (for instance taps and shower controls) will have additional information included to display their technical features.
The online database is being enhanced with additional data and the product labels will be improved to include additional all-new descriptive icons. These will show information on :
1. Flow regulator2. Water break3. Thermostatic4. Temperature control5. Cold start position6. Time flow7. Sensor 8. Pull out spray
This is a major enhancement of the scheme and shows the leadership and commitment of its Directors and Partners in establishing the scheme as a valuable benefit for generations to come.
European partners of EWL include:
• CEIR - the European Association for the Taps and Valves Industry• FECS - Fédération Européenne des Fabricants de Céramiques Sanitaires• Cerame Unie - The European Ceramic Industry Association
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The Bathroom Manufacturers Association strongly supports positive self-regulation initiatives in a free market. A coherent industry is created through a strong Trade body which understands its own problems and has the ability to change. As a shower manufacturer, Roman and all other key stakeholders in the Industry want regulation and change to be positive for all of our key Merchant and Retailer Customers, the overall marketplace - and of course the Consumer.
As a result, the European Water Label is a truly innovative scheme embracing the urgent and growing need for water and energy efficiency. It is a vital voluntary initiative which plays a major role in educating both the Specifier and the Consumer to help them make an informed choice – whilst delivering and enabling generational change.
David OsborneBMA President, MD Roman Ltd
Toilet in one of the villages
Hand washing system
Reaching out for KnowledgeEpiphane Adjadji works in rural Africa with Reaching out for the Needy (NGO) an organisation that works to promote sanitation in the remotest areas.
Reaching out for the Needy works to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged people in Benin through poverty alleviating actions. Their work includes education, health, water and sanitation and agriculture.
Epiphane reached out to find more information about industry courses which will improve her knowledge of water and sanitation with the aim of driving this forward through the communities she is involved in.
Below are just a couple of examples of the amazing work that Reach out for the Needy and Epiphane do to help improve the lives of those most in need in rural Africa.
Find out more here : http://kopernik.info/partner/reaching-out-for-the-needy
More than one in six people worldwide do not have access to enough safe drinking water to meet their basic needs for consumption, cooking and cleaning. Furthermore, almost 2,500 million people lack access to a basic sanitation system.
Because of this, Roca followed up on its commitment to water by creating the We Are Water Foundation in 2010, with two fundamental objectives:
The first is to sensitise and make the public opinion and the institutions reflect on the need to create a new culture about water that allows the fair development and sustainable management of the hydraulic resources in the world.
The second is the creation of all kinds of actions designated to fighting the negative effects of the lack of adequate water resources.
Since then, we have undertaken cooperation projects in 14 countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Chad, Chile, Colombia,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Nicaragua, Peru, The Philippines and Bangladesh.
The areas of action of the Foundation include the intervention in infrastructures, education, health and investigation in the neediest countries of the planet. Every
activity or project is focused on achieving the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations and its Water for Life programme. One of these is to reduce, by half, the amount of people without sustainable
access to safe drinking water by the end of 2015.
Roca which, from its very beginnings, has been committed to the environment in terms of both its products and its production processes, is keenly aware that water is a unique and limited resource, and has therefore spent over 50 years developing water and energy-saving devices for its products, thereby contributing to a more balanced and sustainable coexistence with the environment.
We are water Foundation
Lorna Fellowes, Managing Director at Triton Showers commented:
“Interest in our range of mixer and electric showers has certainly grown as a result of our listing within the BMA’s Water Labelling initiative.
“As well as helping generate a number of new business leads, the Water Label has really cemented business with existing customers. It has now become a minimum standard for manufacturers such as Triton looking to achieve listings in these key outlets.”
For more information on Triton’s range of showers, visit www.tritonshowers.co.uk.
Also download Triton’s free of charge smartphone app for handy tips and advice whilst on the go or, for the latest promotions and information follow @tritonshowers on Twitter or like TritonShowers on Facebook.
Leading the Way with Water Labelling
Lorna Fellowes
IDEAL STANDARD InternationalAt the Forefront of Water Efficiency For many years Ideal Standard International has been at the forefront of water efficient products and has driven the development of hundreds of water saving products over the past decade.
The demands of modern living have seen water usage increase by 55% over the last 25 years, with 63% of all water usage coming from the bathroom. As we use more and more water, our planet’s natural resources are threatened putting future supplies under greater pressure. At Ideal Standard we are committed to delivering change through product innovation, addressing the challenge of reducing the amount of water being wasted in the UK.
Ideal Standard has recognised the need to develop more water efficient products and has introduced innovative solutions. Available are a selection of WCs offering 4 litres of water for a long flush
and 2.6 litres of water for a short flush.
All Ideal Standard basin mixers are fitted with a 5 litre per minute water regulator, therefore saving water by over 40%. Low capacity baths are available, offering a soak whilst using 20% less water.
There is a comprehensive offering suited to the non-residential sector, including the Aridian waterless urinal and Sensorflow brassware which detects when a user is present.
Blue Technology - Saving Water, Energy and Money
Developed with sustainability in mind, the Concept Blue fittings showcase Blue technology - a revolutionary system engineered to use less water and energy. The
amount of water held in the tap when closed is reduced by 80%, meaning less water is wasted. The low water content reduces the time taken to achieve the selected water temperature by 7 seconds, saving both water and the energy to heat it.
Concept Blue pays for itself – saving water and energy saves households money, and those savings soon add up. The calculated saving from the basin mixer featuring Blue technology and
a 5l/min outlet flow regulators is £174 per year giving a payback period of less than 9 months*.
Ideal Standard has the largest range of water saving products in the industry with over 700 products registered on the Water Label. The scheme is designed to help consumers identify which product is water efficient, giving them the variety of choice and price ranges to suit every household’s needs.
Ideal Standard is committed to providing innovative solutions for bathrooms and washrooms, offering a dramatic reduction in water usage, benefiting the environmental needs for today and tomorrow.
For more information on Ideal Standard’s products visit ideal-standard.co.uk or idealspec.co.uk
* Based on a household of 4 people using a single basin fitting. Independently verified by Prof. Dr. Hartmut Hotop (i.R.), Technical University Kaiserslautern.
CONCEPT BLUETHE TAP THAT PAYS FOR ITSELF
For more information on the complete range visit www.idealstandard.co.uk
80% less water contentensures faster response
5 litres per minute regulatorfactory fitted to save water
Cool body technologySafer to use
5 year guarantee on all parts for peace of mind
Lead and nickel freeIdealPure® for healthier drinking water
>>
Our highly successful Concept range now includes a collection of fittings. Robin Levien continues his original design philosophy to provide a seamless match to any of the suite options, making Concept an even stronger total bathroom solution.
The Basin mixer features Blue technology which is engineered to use less water and energy thanks to features like the factory fitted flow regulator. Those savings add up fast... upto £174 per annum *
* Based on a household of 4 people using a single basin mixer. Average water price £1.77/m³ and energy price 7.23/kWh. Assumes water is heated by natural gas, existing basin mixer is installed without a flow regulator and typical usage. Figures independently verified by Prof. Dr. Harmut Hotop (iR), Technical University of Kaiserslautern. Correct at time of going to press.
Bath filler, 2 taphole Basin pillar tapsBath shower
mixer, 1 tapholeExposed shower mixer
Basin mixer
Water is never in contact with the brass body, as it passes through waterways made of special plastics.
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Focus on Air Power as Croydex Launches Sensational Water SavingBathroom accessories specialist Croydex has launched an innovative new design that harnesses the power of air to deliver an invigorating shower sensation whilst reducing water consumption.
The Aqua Air range of showering products work by drawing in air and blending it with the water flow - making each droplet bigger and softer. It is an ingenious design, making uninspiring and expensive showers a thing of the past. Aqua Air gives the wonderful sensation of showering in the rain.
Air force enhances the system’s spray power and promises savings of up to 50 per cent water reduction compared to normal showers.
Croydex’s firm commitment to the Water Label means that efficiency is always a priority. The water and energy saving aspects of Aqua Air make it a perfect match for Croydex - complementing the existing range of water efficient shower heads already available.
The collection features 14 designs, each finished in chrome or white. Options include the impressive Aspley Ultra Flat overhead showerhead and the Carter 3 function hand shower.
For more information call Croydex on 01264 365881 or visit www.croydex.com
In the UK water is available to us at the turn of a tap. However this may not always be the case as water is not an infinite resource.
With the increased pressure of growing populations, all consumers, retailers, manufacturers and utility companies must become more conscious when using water.Being one of the original signatories to the EWL scheme and an active member in the
EWL Water Using Products Group, B&Q have helped to develop the Label and guidance to its current stage.
At B&Q we create and sell a range of efficient water using products. Through the EWL we can tell our customers about product flow rates and allow them to make an informed decision when purchasing.
Twyford – the pioneers of water saving toilet technologyTwyford has long recognised the importance of water saving. It was the first company to introduce the 4/2.6 litre flushing toilet into the UK market as the pioneers of Flushwise®, Twyford’s dual flush technology which uses up to 60% less water than a standard flushing toilet. This ground-breaking development also resulted in Twyford becoming the first bathroom manufacturer to be awarded Water Wise accreditation.
30% of the water each adult uses daily goes on flushing toilets, out of the nine billion litres consumed in the UK every day. Flushwise® technology helps to significantly reduce water consumption without affecting performance or user experience. Such is Twyford’s commitment to water saving that seven of its ranges already include Flushwise® toilets, from the mid-
market e500, Galerie and Moda ranges to the entry-level e100 range, giving a wide choice of designs at prices to suit all budgets. These toilets are available across a number of installation options including close-coupled, wall-hung and back-to-wall.
Other Twyford water saving products include low volume baths which feature innovative contouring of the internal profile of the bath, meaning that up to 90 litres of water are saved per bath while still providing an enjoyable bathing experience.
Options include the Celtic steel bath which achieves 140 litres when full, and the Opal acrylic bath which achieves a staggering 130 litres. Both baths are standard size, measuring 1700 x 700mm.
Twyford will continue to develop its range of water saving products, in particular introducing more Flushwise® toilets into its product portfolio, predicting that one day they will become standard for everyone.
For further information on Twyford, contact tel: 01270 879777 or visit www.twyfordbathrooms.com
It’s Show TimeUBM, organisers of kbb Birmingham, May Design Series and many other exhibitions across the world, places its environmental impact at the top of its priority list. In its environmental policy ,UBM outlines water conservation as one of the most important pillars of its sustainability objectives,
alongside reducing wastage and carbon emissions, and is supporter of the European Water Label.
In the last two years, UBM has succeeded in reducing its carbon emissions by 10%, and seeks to do so again by 2016. In order to meet this target, UBM offices and events around the world are using energy smart metres and increasing recycling rates, and the business is also encouraging good environmental performance from all of its suppliers and contractors. UBM’s events, including May Design Series and kbb Birmingham, must also play their part – a variety of methods are being explored to measure and reduce the environment of every UBM event worldwide.
Taking place from 17-19 May at London’s ExCeL, kbb at May Design Series will welcome 140 kitchen and bathroom exhibitors to the show floor – many of whom are pioneering their own water-saving technologies and active supporter of the EWL.
Aqualogic will be displaying its latest range of Aquair shower units, designed to deliver an optimum 7.6 litres every minute, as opposed to standard showers that might deliver 12, 15 or even 25 litres every minute – saving up to 60% more water than its rivals. Every aspect of the Aquair handset has been designed to provide an invigorating experience, good shower performance and ultimately save water and energy. Harnessing the energy in air and water, Aquair showers create high velocity water inside the body that forces air to mix with water and results in less water, but no less of a flow.
Also taking part in the May Design Series will be water-saving experts Euroshowers, who will be displaying their AeroTex range of single function shower heads. By mixing water with air inside the shower head, the AeroTex head provides a powerful shower whilst saving 25-30% more water than a standard shower head.
May Design Series will introduce visitors to international companies previously unseen in the UK, and provide an opportunity to browse the latest ranges from the major bathroom players such as British Ceramic Tile, ARREDO3, JJO, RAK Ceramics, Envirotech and Roman Showers. The show floor at May Design Series will boast 50% international exhibitors, many of whom have never previously exhibited at any UK events. The show will welcome 15,000 visitors from both contract and retail disciplines, and is conveniently timed to form the finale to the European show cycle.
To enquire about booking a stand at May Design Series or kbb Birmingham, contact Sales Director Jon Johnston:0207 921 [email protected]
Alternatively to register for your free pass to attend May Design Series 2015, visit www.maydesignseries.com.
It will be difficult to find a person within the European bathroom industry that does not support the European Commission’s goal to conserve natural resources, to become a good citizen with a better understanding of being ‘green’ Not just in our working environment and processes but within our own personal life.
Changing behaviour, influencing change and providing a greater knowledge platform are key elements to maintaining natural resources for future generations. Product alone will not influence behaviour change, this can only be undertaken by manufacturers and key stakeholders along the supply chain, creating and disseminating cohesive marketing.
The European bathroom industry has taken a lead, it has collectively joined forces and put its full weight behind the European Water Label. As we have read earlier in the magazine, 86 brands supported by a growing database of 8,000 products is offering the consumer credible, accurate information to make their informed choice when selecting their new bathroom products. Innovative, technologically advanced efficient products are constantly introduced into the market as manufacturers push the boundaries of greater sustainable products and embrace fully the ‘green’ agenda.
Heightened visibility of the Label will encourage the consumer to become more aware of the need to use water wisely, to use the extensive, easy to navigate database of products to aid their selection.
Supported with a host of marketing material, allowing companies to tailor to their own corporate styles, with the same cohesive messaging. A partnership between consumers and suppliers, working together, offering intelligent solutions will enable them to take positive, practical action bringing rewards to all.
Industry Driving Forward
NSF-WRc
NSF-WRc30 Fern Close, Pen-y-Fan Industrial Estate, Oakdale, Gwent, NP11 3EH, UK
t: +44 (0) 1495 236 260 | e: [email protected] | w: www.nsfwrc.com
• Accessing international markets through certifications and approvals• Ensuring regulatory compliance• Verifying product performance• Checking hot water safety of thermostatic valves and unvented heating systems• Fully accredited mechanical and materials testing laboratories for water fittings• Auditing and testing for the European Water Label scheme
NSF International is an independent organisation that providesstandards development, product certification, testing, auditing,education and risk management for public health and the environment.Manufacturers, regulators and consumers alike look to NSF Internationalfor the development of public health standards and certification thathelp protect the world’s food, water, health and consumer products.
Villeroy & Boch supports European Water Label
The responsible use of natural resources is an important product development principle at Villeroy & Boch. We are constantly working on improving our existing product ranges and make sure we meet or even exceed current water and energy saving regulations when developing our new products. One example is our DirectFlush toilet, which not only saves large amounts of water by using only 3 to 4.5 litres a flush but also helps save cleaning agents and effort with its open, fully glazed rim. Architects and planners as well as consumers feel that water and energy efficiency are very important nowadays when purchasing a product.
The European Water Label - developed as a collaboration between specialist retailers and manufacturers - provides an important benchmark to help objectively compare and evaluate a broad range of products. At the same time, we as a manufacturer use the label as a substantial sales and marketing tool that distinguishes our products. The fact that 76 brands and over 7300 products are now participating throughout Europe speaks of this label's success and importance.
Thomas Kannengiesser: Head of Product Management CSW Projects
Founded in 1947, CSTB (Scientific and Technical Centre for Building) is an industrial and commercial public body, placed under the supervision of the French Ministry of Equality of Regions and Housing (METL) and the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy (MEDDE).
CSTB’s purpose is to serve innovation in building. To do this, it performs four key activities, namely research, expertise, evaluation and dissemination of knowledge, organised to satisfy the challenges of sustainable development in the world of construction. Its field of expertise covers construction products, buildings and their integration into districts and cities.
CSTB assessment of innovations provides construction stakeholders with reliable data on component performance levels and durability (processes, materials, elements and equipment) within well-defined areas of application and conditions of use. CSTB supports construction stakeholders by enabling the emergence of innovations, bringing them to market and ensuring their security.
At European level, CSTB acts as a technical assessment organization.
It is also an authorized CE marking assessor. CSTB and its subsidiary organizations lead the way in the certification of products and structures. CSTB certification activities and test laboratories are accredited by COFRAC, the French national accreditation body.
The CSTB mission is to gather, develop and share with construction professionals the scientific and technical knowledge crucial for improving the quality and safety of buildings and their environment.Its professional support role is a priority, and the work it does is organized in such a way as to be accessible to all construction industry stakeholders and partners.
CSTB offer a host of services that aids manufacturers in achieving compliance to the European Water Label’
The Strength of the European Water Label
Simple & HonestStraightforwardInformative & Reliable
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Published by:The Water Label CompanyInnovation Centre 1,Keele Science & Business Park,Newcastle-under-LymeST5 5NB
Telephone: 01782 631619Email: [email protected]
