“Oceana” is the latest international business unit of IAPMO R&T, adding to our offices that are now in place all around the world.  IAPMO R&T Oceana has recently moved into new Australian offices located in Melbourne and are now “open for business” offering a “one stop shop” for the certification of plumbing and drainage products.

In Australia, every part of a plumbing or drainage installation must be constructed in an appropriate manner to meet the requirements of the Plumbing Code of Australia, using materials and products that must be certified and authorised.  IAPMO R&T Oceana has been accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) to offer both “WaterMark Level 1” and “WaterMark Level 2” plumbing product certification to manufacturers and importers of plumbing and drainage products.

With the publication of the Plumbing Code of Australia and the introduction of the “WaterMark Certification Scheme” (WMCS), “WaterMark Level 1” and “WaterMark Level 2” replaces the superseded “StandardsMark”, “WaterMark” and “TypeTest Mark Plumbing Safety” that was previously known as  “National Certification of Plumbing and Drainage Products Scheme”.  The new WMCS is recognized throughout Australia by plumbing regulatory bodies for demonstrating compliance with the Plumbing Code of Australia.

As a general rule of thumb, WaterMark Level 1 relates mainly to products and materials that are in contact with potable water, whilst WaterMark Level 2 relates mainly to non pressure waste water products.

WaterMark Level 1 is the highest required level of plumbing product certification in Australia under the WMCS. Certification requires a pre-certification factory inspection, and then ongoing annual factory visits by trained and qualified IAPMO R&T inspectors. The product must also undergo independent laboratory testing to the specified Australian or International Standard or other suitable published document, such as “Australian Technical Specifications” prior to being WaterMark certified. 

Plumbers and consumers should be aware that if the product is not marked with the “WaterMark” logo and licence number where required by the Plumbing Code of Australia, it is deemed to be not certified by the Australian water regulators.

Certification of a plumbing or drainage product, or material, must be conducted by a conformity assessment body, such as IAPMO R&T Oceana. We can expertly guide applicants through the maze of information and the process itself with ease, eliminating confusion, and getting your plumbing products into the marketplace.

As “the new kids on the block” in the plumbing product certification field in Australia, we at IAPMO R&T Oceana will strive to offer our clients the highest value of service; technical excellence incorporating the highest level of integrity; and an expeditious service second to none. I would welcome any inquiry regarding the certification of plumbing and drainage products in Australia.