EPA
WaterSense
Frequently Asked Questions
WaterSense® Certification and Labeling of
High-Efficiency Lavatory (Bathroom Sink) Faucets
How does my high-efficiency
lavatory faucet or faucet accessory
earn the WaterSense label?
The first step toward obtaining the WaterSense
label is for the product manufacturer to enter into
a WaterSense partnership agreement with EPA.
Manufacturers can sign a WaterSense partnership
agreement with EPA once a draft specification has
been released for a product they produce or manu-
facture under a private label. Under the partnership
agreement, manufacturers will have 12 months to
obtain certification for a product that conforms to
the relevant WaterSense specification.
The second step is to have one of EPA's licensed cer-
tifying bodies certify your product for conformance
to the High-Efficiency Lavatory Faucet Specification.
Manufacturers apply directly to the licensed certify-
ing body for certification. Once your product is cer-
tified, the licensed certifying body will provide you
with artwork for the WaterSense label with its name
underneath. You must use this label in accordance
with the WaterSense label use guidelines.
Which certifying bodies
can certify my product?
A listing of EPA licensed certifying bodies is posted
on the WaterSense Web site or may be obtained
from the WaterSense Helpline at (866) WTR-SENS
(987-7367). Certifying bodies are approved for
each individual specification, so be sure to choose
one that is licensed to the High-Efficiency Lavatory
Faucet Specification.
Can 1 use a WaterSense labeled
faucet accessory to meet the flow
rate criteria contained in the
specification? Does my faucet still
need to be tested?
A lavatory faucet is considered to meet the flow
rate requirement contained in the specification if
it is equipped with a lavatory faucet accessory that
meets the flow rate requirement. In this case, it is
up to the discretion of the licensed certifying body
to determine whether the entire faucet needs to
be tested. EPA anticipates that in most cases, fur-
ther testing may not be necessary. The licensed
certifying body may still conduct a review and may
require you to produce evidence that you are using
a high-efficiency lavatory faucet accessory that
meets the specification criteria. All high-efficiency
lavatory faucets, regardless of whether the entire
faucet is tested or just the faucet accessory, must be
evaluated, certified, and listed by a licensed prod-
uct certifying body in order to earn the WaterSense
label and be listed on EPA's Web registry of
WaterSense labeled products.
How much will product certification
cost?
The cost structure for product certification is deter-
mined by the licensed certifying bodies. EPA antici-
pates that the testing fee and cost for certification
of products, which may include opening a new
certification file or adding models to an existing
file, will be in line with the current cost structure to
have plumbing products certified by an accredited
certifying body.
June 2009
(866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) • www.epa.gov/watersense • watersense@epa.gov
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How long will certification take?
The exact process and timing will be determined by
the licensed certifying body conducting the certi-
fication. Licensed certifying bodies recognize that
time to market is an important consideration and
will compete for a manufacturer's business in this
area. EPA anticipates that the time to achieve prod-
uct certification to WaterSense specifications will be
similar to the time it currently takes to get plumbing
products certified to American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) and other relevant standards.
How will consumers know my
product has been certified?
Only products certified to WaterSense specifications
are allowed to bear the WaterSense label. In addi-
tion, EPA maintains a Web registry of WaterSense
labeled products. To get your products included
on this list you must submit to EPA a new certified
product notification form for each certified model.
EPA will verify the product certification information
with the licensed certifying body that conducted the
certification. This process, from notification to list-
ing on the WaterSense Web site, may take up to two
weeks.
1 am an overseas manufacturer
looking to get my products certified
for WaterSense. Will there be
certifying bodies in my country
that can conduct the certification?
WaterSense anticipates that at least some of its
licensed certifying bodies will have offices world-
wide with the capability to conduct product certifi-
cations for WaterSense. Please keep in mind, how-
ever, that to be eligible for the WaterSense label,
you must sell or intend to sell products in the United
States that meet the relevant WaterSense specifica-
tion within one year of partnership with EPA. Please
contact one or more of EPA's licensed certifying
bodies to determine if they certify products in your
area.
Will this certification process apply
to all products?
EPA will require all WaterSense labeled products to be
certified by a licensed certifying body. EPA may, how-
ever, adjust the specific certification requirements as
appropriate for individual product categories.
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