1.

Notifying Member: AUSTRALIA

If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible:

Australian Building Codes Board, Housing Group, The Department of the Treasury

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], Other:

4.

Products covered (HS codes or national tariff lines. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Plastic Piping Systems for Soil and Waste Discharge - with Noise Reduction Characteristics

- Tubes, pipes and hoses, rigid: (HS code(s): 39172); Fittings, e.g. joints, elbows, flanges, of plastics, for tubes, pipes and hoses (HS code(s): 391740)

5.

Details of notified document(s) (title, number of pages and languages, means of access): WaterMark Certification Scheme - WMTS-508:202x Plastic Piping Systems for Soil and Waste Discharge - with Noise Reduction Characteristics; (23 page(s), in English)

Link to notified document(s) and/or contact details for agency or authority which can provide copies upon request:

https://app.converlens.com/abcb/wmts-5082025-plastics-piping-system-for-soil-and-waste-discharge-with-noise-reduction-characteri

https://storage.googleapis.com/converlens-au/abcb/p/prj393a7ccd55ce1d38e72c9/page/WMTS_508_Plastics_Piping_Systems_for_Soil_and_Waste_Discharge_with_Noise_Reduction_Characteristics_Public_Comment_Draft.pdf

6.

Description of content: This Specification sets out the requirements for noise reduction pipes and fittings systems, either made of a compound of Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE) and inert mineral additives.

Noise reduction pipes and fittings are designed for waste and drainage installations with a maximum continuous discharge operating temperature of 60°C and may be used at intermittent discharge operating temperatures up to 95°C. These pipes and fittings are for use in above ground waste installations inside buildings.

The proposed revisions for the 2025 version include the following:

(i) Scope expansion to include noise reduction piping made from Polyethylene (PE);

(ii) New definition for 'Intermittent' for products tested to this specification;

(iii) Technical requirements for noise reduction piping made from PE added to the body of the specification;

(iv) Marking requirements for the material compound (PP or PE) to be labelled on the product;

(v) Clarification that these products are for installation as an individual system and not to be combined other than for interconnection purposes (in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.2 Clause 10.13 and Table 10.13.1);

(vi) Inclusion of compliance Table A3 and A4

The Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) requires that most products intended for use in plumbing and drainage installations in or around buildings to be evaluated and certified to WaterMark product specifications. WaterMark certification to an applicable product specification provides a process to evaluate and authorise products to enable their use in a plumbing and drainage installation. Thus ensuring that the plumbing and drainage products are fit for purpose for which they are intended.

This WaterMark Technical Specification (WMTS) was prepared in accordance with the Manual for the WaterMark Certification Scheme, Appendix 4, Protocol for Developing Product Specifications.

The objective of WaterMark Technical Specification is to enable product certification in accordance with the requirements of the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA).

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: The objectives of the Scheme are to establish the requirements for product certification and authorisation under Part A5 of the PCA and:
a) to provide a process to authorise products to enable their use in plumbing and drainage installations as covered by the PCA, and
b) to ensure that plumbing and drainage products are fit for the purpose for which they are intended and that their use in a plumbing and drainage installation throughout its serviceable life is suitable and does not create significant risks or any likely outcome of:
(i) personal illness, loss, injury or death;
(ii) on-site environmental degradation;
(iii) contamination of the water resource;
(iv) adverse impact on infrastructure (private or public);
(v) contamination of water supplies from the point of connection to the points of discharge; or
(vi) wastage of resources (water and energy).; Protection of human health or safety

8.

Relevant documents:

Manual for the WaterMark Certification Scheme

WaterMark Schedule of Products

9.

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined; in 2026.

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined; in 2026.

10.

Provision of comments

Final date for comments: 18 February 2026

[ ] 60 days from notification

Contact details of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification:

WTO TBT Enquiry Point

Office of Global Trade Negotiations

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Canberra

Tel: +(61) 2 6261 1111

Email: tbt.enquiry@dfat.gov.au

Website: https://www.dfat.gov.au/