NEOPERL products – in use around the globe
NEOPERL products comply with standards prevailing in a specific country. In addition to the applicable product standards many countries have introduced requirements to tackle the problem of water conservation. The aim is to promote awareness in private households on the shortage of water and excessive consumption.
USA: LEED®
LEED® (Leadership in Environmental Energy and Environmental Design) is a voluntary building certification program created by the US Green Building Council as a benchmark for environmentally friendly and energy efficient buildings. It was developed to provide assistance in planning and executing ecologically-oriented construction projects. LEED® is based on a points system that takes into account the impact that a building can have on the environment (e.g. energy consumption, water consumption, waste water or thermal insulation). The total number of the points acquired is instrumental for certification. Faucet manufacturers use NEOPERL products in their faucets to help fulfil the water-saving requirements of construction projects associated with the LEED® program.
Information on the LEED® Standard can be found under:
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19
USA: WaterSense
The WaterSense program was created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program is aimed at reducing water consumption without compromising comfort: it defines both maximum and minimum flow rate at given pressure points. The WaterSense label identifies water-saving products, making it easier for the end-user to make the right choice.
Information about the WaterSense program can be found by visiting www.epa.gov/watersense
Australia: WELS
The «Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS)» system in Australia is used to categorise water-saving faucets. Similar to an energy efficiency rating the individual categories are awarded stars: the more stars obtained, the less water used. This rating system makes it easy for the consumer to compare products. In contrast to the majority of water savings programs, WELS is a statutory requirement in Australia (there is a chronic shortage of water especially during summertime).
The aim of the WELS system is to increase the acceptance of water-saving products and efficient appliances in households and industry by informing customers in the stores and encouraging manufacturers to bring more water-saving products to the marketplace.
A list of the certified NEOPERL products can be found under: www.waterrating.gov.au