High-Efficiency Lavatory
Faucet Specification
High-Efficiency Lavatory Faucet Specification
1.0 Scope and Objective
This specification establishes the criteria for high-efficiency lavatory faucets and faucet
accessories1 under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) WaterSenseŽ
program. It is applicable to lavatory faucets, lavatory faucet accessories specifically designed to
control the flow of water, and any other lavatory faucet technologies that meet these
performance specifications.
This specification applies to lavatory faucets in private use, such as in residences, and private
restrooms in hotels and hospitals. Metering faucets, lavatory faucets in public use, and
residential kitchen faucets are not covered by this specification.
The specification is designed to ensure both sustainable, efficient water use and a high level of
user satisfaction with lavatory faucet and lavatory faucet accessory performance.
2.0 Water Efficiency and Performance Criteria
2.1 Lavatory faucets and lavatory faucet accessories must conform to applicable
requirements in ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 and NSF/ANSI Standard 61,
Section 9.2
2.2 The flow rate of the lavatory faucet or the lavatory faucet accessory shall be
tested in accordance with the procedures in ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 and
shall meet the following criteria:
The maximum flow rate shall not exceed 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm)3
(5.7 liters per minute [L/min]) at a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch
(psi) at the inlet, when water is flowing; and
The minimum flow rate shall not be less than 0.8 gpm (3.0 L/min) at a
pressure of 20 psi at the inlet, when water is flowing.
A lavatory faucet is also considered to meet this flow rate requirement if
equipped with a lavatory faucet accessory that meets this requirement.
2.3 The flow rate, tested in accordance with the procedures in ASME A112.18.1/CSA
B125.1, shall meet the testing verification protocol as described in 10 CFR 430
Subpart F, Appendix B.
1 Accessory, as defined in ASME 112.18.1/CSA B125.1, means a component that can, at the discretion of
the user, be readily added, removed, or replaced, and that, when removed, will not prevent the fitting from
fulfilling its primary function. For the purpose of this specification, an accessory can include, but is not
limited to lavatory faucet flow restrictors, flow regulators, aerator devices, and laminar devices.
2 References to ASME/CSA and NSF/ANSI standards apply to the most current version.
3 The maximum flow rate has been established as 1.5 gpm, which is a 32 percent reduction from the 2.2
gpm standard codified under 10 CFR Part 430 (63 FR 13307; March 18, 1998).
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High-Efficiency Lavatory
Faucet Specification
3.0 Non-Adjustability Criteria
The lavatory faucet or lavatory faucet accessory shall not be packaged, marked, or provided
with instructions directing the user to an alternative water-use setting that would override the
maximum flow rate of 1.5 gpm at 60 psi, as established by this specification.
Any instruction related to the maintenance of the product, including changing or cleaning faucet
accessories, shall direct the user on how to return the product to its intended maximum flow
rate.
4.0 Flow Rate Marking
The product and/or the product packaging shall be marked in accordance with 16 CFfi 305.11 (f)
with the maximum flow rate in gpm and L/min as determined through testing and compliance
with this specification. Marking shall be in gpm and L/min in two digit resolutions (e.g., 1.5 gpm
[5.7 L/min]).
5.0 Effective Date
This specification is effective on October 1, 2007.
6.0 Future Specification Revisions
EPA reserves the right to revise this specification should technological and/or market changes
affect its usefulness to consumers, industry, or the environment. Industry partners and other
interested parties would be notified in advance of anticipated changes. Revisions to the
specification would be made following discussions with industry partners and other interested
parties.
7.0 Definitions
Definitions within ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 and NSF/ANSI Standard 61, Section 9 are
incorporated herein by reference.
Private Use - Applies to fittings for the private and restricted use of one or more individuals in
dwelling units, including hotel guest rooms and hospital rooms, and other facilities that are not
intended for public use.
Public Use - Applies to fittings for the unrestricted use of more than one individual (including
employees) in assembly occupancies, business occupancies, public buildings, transportation
facilities, schools and other educational facilities, office buildings, restaurants, bars, other food
service facilities, mercantile facilities, manufacturing facilities, military facilities, and other
facilities that are not intended for private use.
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High-Efficiency Lavatory
Faucet Specification
Appendix A
Informative Annex for WaterSense Labeling
The following requirements must be met for products to be marked with the WaterSense label.
1.0 WaterSense Partnership
The manufacturer4 of the product must have a signed partnership agreement in place with EPA.
2.0 Conformity Assessment
Conformance to this specification must be certified by a body either accredited in accordance
with the WaterSense certification scheme, or otherwise approved for that purpose by EPA in
accordance with the WaterSense Program Guidelines.
4 Manufacturer, as defined in the WaterSense Program Guidelines, means "Any organization that
produces a product for market that might be eligible to meet WaterSense criteria for efficiency and
performance. Manufacturers may also produce "private label" products that are sold under the brand
name of a separate organization, which is treated as a separate partner/application from the original
product manufacturer."
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