Every smart drop counts
By Chris Philpot
With Australian consumers becoming more aware of the environmental and ethical impacts of the products they buy, many manufacturers are keen to tap into this sentiment which is influencing buying decisions. There are dozens of eco, ethical and sustainable labels on the market, and shoppers can find it confusing. Some certification schemes are open and transparent about their methodology for assessment, while others aren’t. Smart Drop Certified, previously known as Smart Approved WaterMark, is recognised widely across Australia, with many products in the nursery and garden sector. It has established its credentials as a trustworthy label regarding water-saving products for the home and garden.
Smart Drop Certified was established in 2004 as a directive from the National Water Initiative. It is designed specifically to recognise water-efficient products and services outdoors. Greenlife Industry Australia and its members have played a key role in the evolution of the certification program as a Founding Partner alongside the Water Services Association Australia, the Australian Water Association, and Irrigation Australia.
Labelling schemes methodology and assessment criteria have to be transparent
Smart Drop has an independent Technical Expert Panel that provides credibility and expertise, and has approved products in over a dozen categories, including pool and spa, garden, car, plumbing, watering, turf, greywater, and bathroom (amongst others).
This means that Smart Drop Certified is a label that consumers know is trustworthy. It makes selecting products and managing rebates easy and gives manufacturers the incentive to innovate. Smart Drop is rigorous in its independent assessment of claims.
To date, many GIA members have taken advantage of the benefits of Smart Drop Certification:
- Credible, independent endorsement that the product/service is water efficient and the logo can be added to product packaging, marketing materials, website, social media posts and expo stands
- Qualify for Waterwise Accreditation (under Water Corporation) in Western Australia
- Qualify for water utility rebate offers. Smart Drop is the criteria through which governments and water utilities identify products eligible for rebate offers
- Qualify for an annual opportunity to enter and win the Annual Smart Drop Excellence Awards (opens July 2025)
- Network, reach, and promote your product to the water industry. Smart Drop is owned by the Water Services Association of Australia and managed by The Water Conservancy. Both are well connected in the water sector, with all water utility water efficiency reps
- Full product listing at www.smartdropcertified.org
Products and services must adhere to all the following criteria and be proven as stated to be eligible for certification:
- Water saving: The primary purpose of the product or service is directly related to reducing actual water use and/or using water more efficiently, where there is a direct correlation between the use of the product and water savings.
The Independent Expert Panel needs all claims in the application, water-saving claims especially, to be independently verified (such as independent testing, case studies or comparative reports).
Applicants must prove that the product’s main purpose is directly related to reducing actual water use or using water more efficiently. To gain approval, applicants must be able to demonstrate that the product saves water or improves efficiency and calculate the amount it saves.
Unsubstantiated marketing claims are not regarded as evidence of water saving.
- Fit for purpose: The appropriate use of the product or service is consistent with thesupplied instructions and other documentation.
To prove this, applicants must provide examples of the information provided to customers to ensure the correct use and application of the product.
- Meets regulations and standards: The product or service is of high quality and meets industry standards and customer and community expectations regarding water use.
Proving the product meets the regulations and standards criteria often requires a third party. Applicants must provide evidence that the product complies with all the appropriate national and state regulatory, health, plumbing (Watermark), electrical and standards requirements. Certificates and/or evidence for the product should be collected before application.
To be eligible, all plumbing and drainage products must have the ‘Watermark’. Applicants are asked to check the ‘Watermark Schedule of Products’, which lists products requiring certification, or visit the Australian Building Codes Board site.
The Department of Health must also approve greywater products sold in WA.
All pool and spa covers must have the SAWM Fit for Purpose Certificate to be eligible.
- Environmentally sustainable: The product or service, while satisfying the above three criteria, is environmentally sustainable, and despite claimed water savings, will not adversely affect the environment in other areas. Note that services provided by a manufacturer to assist in sales will not be considered.
To demonstrate that a product is environmentally sustainable, an applicant must prove that it will not adversely affect the environment in other areas. Suppose the product has any possible negative health and environmental risks. In that case, it is necessary to provide details and copies of any consumer safety information provided with the product, e.g., safety data sheets (SDS).
Do you have a product or service that meets the criteria?
If you have a product or service that meets the criteria and you would like to apply for certification visit: www.smartdropcertified.org
Smart Drop Certified – a label consumers can trust.
Chris Philpot
Chief Executive Officer
The Water Conservancy
M: 0422 289 599
E: chris.philpot@thewaterconservancy.org