INDUSTRY UPDATE
The Unified Water Label Bringing the European Bathroom Industry
together to help use water more wisely
What is it? The Unified Water Label (UWL) is a European wide Initiative by companies involved in the bathroom industry. The aim is to support the goal of governments to reduce water use and energy wastage, with the introduction of innovative and technologically advanced products. The UWL provides a means to identify water using products with a
common label that offers clear, concise and easy to understand messaging about water and energy use. The UWL has experienced strong growth; 18 manufacturers and a
database of 800 products in 2007 growing to 155 brands and a database of 14,706 in 2019. The database is regularly cleansed so that it only includes products that are currently available in the marketplace.
Why does it matter? Water is an essential resource which must be preserved. When the UWL achieves an 80% market share of units sold, for taps and showers alone, we will see a reduction in water and energy consumption by as much as 21%.
What products are covered? The UWL includes 13 different categories for water using bathroom products that covers: • Shower heads • Shower Controls • Taps • WC suites and Cisterns • Baths
Who supports it? The European Bathroom Forum is driving forward the UWL via a “Best of all” inititive which will bring European schemes together, whilst recognising national nuances. This is currently a common platform for four labelling schemes: Swedish Energy, Swiss Energy, ANQIP and the European Water Label. These schemes are in the process of merging to one common agreed criteria.
Water facts
Global water Scarcity • 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water, and a total of 2.7 billion find water scarce for at least one month of the year. • by 2025, two-thirds of the worlds population may face water shortages Source:
http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/water-scarcity
European water usage
• Average consumption of water per day in Europe is 66 gallons per person
• From 1996 to 2006, the number of people affected by drought in Europe doubled
• 120 million people do not have access to safe drinking water in Europe. Source:
savethewater.org
• If everyone in Europe cut their shower time by just one minute, we could save 7% of all the water used in Europe Source: Ecodesign consultation
Where can I get more information? Visit the website:
www.europeanwaterlabel.eu
34 BKU APRIL 2020
TTA announces new date for 2020 awards
TA is delighted to announce a new date for the 2020 Awards. The tiling industry’s biggest annual event will now be held on Friday 16 October.
T
We are very grateful to The Hilton Birmingham Metropole for working with us to secure this new date very rapidly. It has been made possible by the excellent working relationship TTA now has with the Hilton and the Hilton Group, having held the Awards there numerous times in the past. All hospitality providers are currently going through a very difficult time, and we are sure that members will wish to express their gratitude and support for our partners by making TTA Awards night a great success as usual.
We are also grateful to our other partners who play a vital role in making the TTA Awards a success. These include our AV company Sounds Commercial and of course Kyran Bracken, who will be working hard to make our new date a success.
All bookings will now be transferred to 16 October.
More details will follow in due course, but we look forward to hosting the industry once again at The TTA Awards for a very well-deserved celebration.
We hope you are in good health and that you stay safe throughout these uncertain times.
For guidance and advice relevant to the tiling sector, including Government grants, loans and other assistance, TTA is running a Coronavirus Support Page on its website, with daily updates. This can be found at:
www.tiles.org.uk/responding-to-coronavirus-covid-19
If you need to contact TTA at this time, all the usual contact details are still operational and the office is fully resourced, although staff are working remotely. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any queries you might have:
membership@tiles.org.uk
u For further information or to join TTA visit
www.tiles.org.uk/join
THE TILE ASSOCIATION COLUMN
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