A list of registered products was made available and one of them caught my attention.
However, I was not able to find this particular model locally, not even with the help of the mighty Google. The manufacturer local website contain no information either. So I emailed the manufacturer and they too confirmed this.
From: contact-hhes@has.hitachi.com.sg
Subject: RE: BD-W85SV
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 07:59:10 +0000Dear Azhar,Thanks for your email.Unfortunately we do not sell this model BD-W85SV locally.Please contact us if you need further assistances.Thanks,Lixian
Question now is
- why is this included in PUB list when it is not available locally?
- how did this model obtained a WELS rating by PUB?
PUB requirements states that
"To qualify for a WELS Water Rating Label, the product must meet the relevant test standards and requirements, and water efficiency requirements stipulated by PUB.
A water fitting or appliance is deemed to comply with the stipulated standards if it is certified or tested by a conformity assessment body (product certification body/testing laboratory) accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) (opens in new window) or its Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) partners."
Which means that SAC could not have tested this product, therefore it must have been included in the list through tests done by MRA partners. However, the link provided above is broken
With the help of mighty Google, I found this link instead which explains that accreditation done by other bodies can also be relied on.
That's fair. Nothing wrong with that.
So I am not contesting the accuracy of the test. I just feel that PUB should not copy and paste blindly and instead should have sieve through the list and only include products that can be purchased locally.
I emailed PUB earlier on the 16th of April 2014 with a feedback not related to this product specifically. I don't think emailing them again with another feedback will receive any attention.