The European Water Label is growing rapidly. Its reputation is reaching the farthest corners of Europe and its database of premium bathroom and kitchen branded products has grown to such a size that it has become the most dominant product labelling scheme of its type.
Yvonne Orgill, managing director of EWL, in her recently published Annual Review, indicated her delight with the progress of this voluntary and value-led scheme.
“2015 proved to be a turning point in the development of our product label. The scheme grew very rapidly this year. It now covers 14 different bathroom product categories and embraces the national nuances of 38 countries. It is already available in three languages and boasts over 11,000 different products, from 98 brands, in its database. To end the year, the scheme was presented with its fifth Award, this time from SWIG, the Sustainable Water Industry Group. Needless to say we are delighted how the label progressed this year.”
The scheme is entirely voluntary and can react quickly to adapt to changes both in the market place and in bathroom technology. And to give it greater strength and sustainability it is now partnered by eight National Trade Associations across Europe.
Maintaining integrity has always been a key feature of the labeling scheme and its annual audit of products listed in the online database proceeded as usual in 2015. A selection of 275 products across 36 registered brands were independently tested by four European test laboratories. Checks were also made to ensure published marketing material and websites were using the label correctly, and obsolete products were regularly cleared from the listings.
The European Water Label gives both the consumer and the industry professional alike, all the necessary water usage characteristics of bathroom and kitchen products. Simply put, the water consumption for each product can be seen at a glance and the information provided can be used to aid the choice of bathroom and kitchen components.
The entirely voluntary European Water Label is an undeniable success which is low cost, maintains choice, and does exactly what it is designed to do – inform and educate.