State Regulations

The present regulatory position in relation to plumbing and drainage products varies from state/territory to state/territory. Generally, however, they require compliance with MP52 (Manual of authorisation procedures for plumbing and drainage products) in relation to some or all plumbing or drainage products and may or may not require such compliance to be certified by the application of a particular certification mark.

Standards Australia is working with regulators to endeavour to achieve a uniform system where a single certification mark, the WaterMark, will be used to certify compliance with the required specifications/standards. MP52 has been revised and the 2005 edition has only one certification mark, the WaterMark Level 1 and Level 2. Whether the WaterMark Level 1 or Level 2 is required is determined by the level of risk of the products and the need for certification, with more stringent requirements required for the WaterMark Level 1.

The Plumbing Code of Australia, which was published in December 2004, includes conformity requirements in relation to the WaterMark Level 1 and Level 2. The Plumbing Code of Australia will progressively be introduced into the legislation of each State and Territory to replace MP52.