All washing machines sold in Singapore from Saturday will be labelled according to how much water they use.
The best machines, which can use up to 80 litres less per wash than their less efficient counterparts, will be labelled with three ticks.
Retailers said the scheme, launched by national water agency PUB, would help buyers identify more efficient washing machines. However, these machines can cost up to 50 per cent more than those with fewer or no ticks.
PUB said the scheme would help to reduce water use here.
Washing machines make up 19 per cent of an average household’s water consumption. Singapore’s goal is to reduce water use from the current 154 litres per person per day to 147 litres by 2020.
Taps, toilets and urinals here already fall under the labelling project. New developments or those being renovated must use at least one-tick products for these fixtures.
PUB said it has registered 310 washing machine models so far, with about half of these getting the maximum three ticks. The agency said it had no plans to ban zero-tick products – which now make up a quarter of the registry – although it did not rule out doing so in the future.
Some retailers here have been displaying the labels since 2009 under a voluntary scheme.
