WaterSense

WaterSense® Home Certification System

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WaterSense® Home Certification System

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction	1

2.0 Effective Date	3

3.0 References and Definitions	3

4.0 HCO Eligibility and WACM Requirements	5

4.1	HCO Organizational Requirements	5

4.1.1	Independent Oversight	6

4.1.2	Quality Assurance	6

4.1.3	Verifier Training and Authorization	6

4.1.4	Home Verification Protocols	7

4.1.5	Impartiality	8

4.1.5.1	HCO Impartiality	8

4.1.5.2	Verifier Impartiality	9

4.1.5.3	Designee Impartiality	9

4.1.6	Messaging and Reporting	9

4.2	HCO Responsibilities for the Use of Designees	10

4.3	HCO Certification Method Development Process	11

4.4	Technical Evaluation Process for the HCO's Certification Method	13

5.0 Procedures and Requirements for HCOs	13

5.1	Application Procedures for HCOs	14

5.1.1 Provisional Approval	14

5.2	HCO Licensure	15

5.3	Issuing the WaterSense Label	15

5.3.1 Exemptions for Conflicts With Local Code	16

5.4	Reporting and Recordkeeping	16

5.4.1	Reporting Authorized Verifiers to EPA	16

5.4.2	Reporting WaterSense Labeled Homes to EPA	16

5.4.3	Maintaining Records	16

6.0 Procedures and Requirements for Builder Partners	17

6.1	Partnership Wth EPA	17

6.2	Application	17

6.3	Home Certification and Labeling	18

7.0 EPA Oversight	18

7.1	General HCO Oversight	18

7.2	Surveillance of Home Conformance and Label Use	18

8.0 Suspension or Wthdrawal of the WaterSense Label From Homes	19

9.0 Amendments, Modifications, and Revisions	20

9.1	HCO-lnitiated Changes to Organizational or WACM Requirements	20

9.2	EPA-lnitiated Program Changes	20

10.0 For More Information	21

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1.0 Introduction

WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way
to use less water with water-efficient products, homes, and services. EPA established its
WaterSense Labeled Homes Program to promote residential water efficiency and help enable
market transformation in home construction. The WaterSense Labeled Homes Program aims to
recognize the technical efficacy of existing home certification programs and relies on
established home certification program infrastructure to facilitate the certification and labeling of
homes for WaterSense.

This WaterSense Home Certification System (home certification system) outlines the
requirements, roles, and responsibilities for all parties involved in the construction, verification,
certification, and labeling of homes for WaterSense in accordance with the current WaterSense
Specification for Homes,1 including:

•	Home builders

•	Home Certification Organizations (HCOs)

•	Verifiers

•	Other parties to which the HCO has designated specific responsibilities for certifying homes
(designees)

HCOs are central to the certification process and are responsible for implementing a program
for the verification, certification, and labeling of homes that meet the requirements in the
WaterSense Specification for Homes.

This home certification system describes the requirements for and process by which EPA
evaluates HCOs to ensure they have the capability, competence, and proper controls to certify
homes and authorize the use of the WaterSense label.

This home certification system also describes the requirements for and process by which EPA
will evaluate the HCO's proposed certification method (PCM), which includes the specific
thresholds, criteria, and/or requirements the HCO intends to stipulate that homes pursuing the
WaterSense label shall meet. EPA will ensure the certification method was developed in a fair
and transparent manner.

Homes are required to be certified under an HCO's WaterSense Approved Certification Method
(WACM) to earn the WaterSense label. Home builders who partner with WaterSense can seek
certification and earn the WaterSense label through an HCO of their choosing.

This document shall be read in conjunction with the WaterSense Specification for Homes and
the WaterSense Technical Evaluation Process for Approving Home Certification Methods.

1 The WaterSense Home Certification System, Version 2.0 is effective with Version 2.0 and higher of the
WaterSense Specification for Homes.

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These documents each address a different aspect of the program structure, which together are
essential for the certification and labeling of homes for WaterSense.

EPA will use the WaterSense Technical Evaluation Process for Approving Home Certification
Methods to confirm whether the prospective HCO's PCM is able to differentiate homes that
meet WaterSense's water efficiency requirement. The water efficiency requirement is set in the
WaterSense Specification for Homes to ensure that a WaterSense labeled home will be more
water-efficient than a home with characteristics typical of new construction (based on national
standards and common design and landscape practices). The PCM becomes a WACM upon
EPA's approval.

WaterSense is including by reference that parties must comply with the WaterSense Program
Guidelines, WaterSense Program Mark Guidelines, and any related technical clarifications
issued by WaterSense related to the program requirements or EPA's implementation of the
WaterSense Labeled Homes Program.

All of these program documents, summarized in Table 1, provide the minimum requirements
and the roles and responsibilities for building, certifying, and labeling homes under the
WaterSense Labeled Homes Program. Please see the introduction to each document for a
thorough explanation of its purpose and role within the program.

Table 1. Documents Applicable to the Verification, Certification, and Labeling of Homes

for WaterSense

WaterSense Specification for Homes

Purpose |

Establishes the technical criteria for water-efficient
homes to be eligible for the WaterSense label. For
Version 2.0 (current at time of publication) this includes
compliance with 1) the Mandatory Checklist, and 2) the
water efficiency requirement, as verified through
compliance with an HCO's WACM. Note that from this
point forward, references to the WaterSense
Specification for Homes are inclusive of the Mandatory
Checklist and, by reference, the technical requirements
of an HCO's WACM. References to the WaterSense
Specification for Homes refer to the most current version
available on the WaterSense website.

WaterSense Home Certification System

Articulates the parties involved in, and process for,
certifying and labeling homes for WaterSense.

WaterSense Technical Evaluation Process
for Approving Home Certification Methods

Explains EPA's process and assumptions used to
assess the technical efficacy of the HCO's proposed
certification method in differentiating homes that meet
the water efficiency requirement in the WaterSense
Specification for Homes. References to the WaterSense
Technical Evaluation Process for Approving Home
Certification Methods refer to the most current version
available on the WaterSense website.

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Table 1. Documents Applicable to the Verification, Certification, and Labeling of Homes

for WaterSense

Full Title of Document

WaterSense Program Guidelines

Purpose

	. ¦ . ¦ . ¦ . ¦ . ¦¦¦¦'¦¦- ,	 : ¦ ¦ I

Provides guidance on eligibility criteria, conditions for
participation, and general information about
WaterSense. References to the WaterSense Program
Guidelines refer to the most current version available on
the WaterSense website.

WaterSense Program Mark Guidelines

Establishes guidelines for using WaterSense program
marks in order to ensure promotion of a consistent
WaterSense brand. HCOs and partners are required to
adhere to these guidelines. References to the
WaterSense Program Mark Guidelines refer to the most
current version available on the WaterSense website.

2.0 Effective Date

This update to the WaterSense Labeled Homes Program is available to prospective HCOs and
(upon approval) their verifiers and stakeholders as of February 2021. Upon approval, HCOs can
immediately begin certifying and labeling homes according to the WaterSense Specification for
Homes.

Builder partners should reference the WaterSense Labeled Homes Program Transition to
Version 2 for information on the schedule for transitioning certification and labeling of homes
from Version 1.2 to Version 2.0 of the WaterSense Specification for Homes.

3.0 References and Definitions

In addition to the documents listed in Table 1, the following referenced documents are
indispensable for the application of this home certification system. Definitions within all of these
documents are included by reference. For any of the referenced documents below, the most
recent version applies, if the version is not otherwise indicated.

•	HCO licensing agreement between EPA and the HCO.

•	Application for HCO approval.

•	Builder partnership agreement between EPA and a builder of WaterSense labeled homes.

•	Technical clarifications, developed and maintained by EPA.

Other definitions applicable to this home certification system include:

Builder Partner: A home builder that has committed to building, renovating, or otherwise
producing homes in accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes, which includes
the Mandatory Checklist and the water efficiency requirement, to be addressed through an
HCO's WACM. The builder shall signify such commitment by signing a WaterSense builder
partnership agreement with EPA.

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Builder Partnership Agreement: Formal agreement between EPA and the builder that
delineates program benefits, exclusions, and activities (i.e., partner pledges and EPA
commitments) to be conducted by each party.

Certification Method Technical Evaluation Process: Process and requirements, described in
detail in the WaterSense Technical Evaluation Process for Approving Home Certification
Methods, by which EPA will evaluate the technical efficacy of the HCO's PCM to ensure that it
can differentiate homes that meet the water efficiency requirement in the WaterSense
Specification for Homes.

Designee(s): Party(ies) to which the HCO has delegated specific responsibilities associated
with verifying, certifying, and/or overseeing the verification and/or certification of WaterSense
labeled homes, as allowable under this certification system.

Home Certification Organization (HCO): An independent organization approved and licensed
by EPA to certify and label homes. An HCO is responsible for administering a WACM that
demonstrates the ability to differentiate homes that meet the water efficiency requirements in
the WaterSense Specification for Homes. An HCO is also responsible for the training and
authorization of verifiers and overseeing the verification, certification, and labeling of homes in
accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes.

Licensing Agreement: The legal document between EPA and an HCO that grants the HCO
access to, and conditions for authorizing the use and distribution of, the WaterSense label.
Outlines the terms, roles, and responsibilities for certifying and labeling homes for WaterSense
in accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes. The licensing agreement signals
the HCO's and EPA's commitment to cooperate in the administration of the WaterSense
Labeled Homes Program in accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes and this
WaterSense Home Certification System.

Mandatory Checklist: Minimum set of requirements detailed in the WaterSense Specification
for Homes that a home must meet to earn the WaterSense label.

Proposed Certification Method (PCM): Methodology proposed by an HCO to evaluate a
home's compliance with the water efficiency requirement in the WaterSense Specification for
Homes. The PCM includes the technical requirements or criteria and the certification threshold
homes must meet to demonstrate adherence to the water efficiency requirement in the
WaterSense Specification for Homes.

WaterSense Approved Certification Method (WACM): A certification method that EPA has
evaluated in accordance with the certification method technical evaluation process and has
determined can effectively differentiate homes that meet the water efficiency requirement in the
WaterSense Specification for Homes. In addition to the Mandatory Checklist, the WACM serves
as the basis for certifying and labeling homes for the WaterSense program.

WaterSense Home Verifier (Verifier): Individual who is trained and authorized by an HCO or
its designee to verify homes in accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes, which

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includes the Mandatory Checklist, and by reference the requirements of the HCO's WACM
under which they are authorized.2

WaterSense Label: A registered certification mark that contains the words "WaterSense" and
"Meets EPA Criteria" in a circular pattern around the WaterSense graphic "water drop" image.
To signify a home's compliance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes, an HCO or its
designee will provide the WaterSense label to the builder partner in the form of a certificate or
sticker. References to the certificate or sticker are considered synonymous with the WaterSense
label and, as such, the terms may be used interchangeably throughout this document.

4.0	HCO Eligibility and WACM Requirements

In accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in this section, EPA shall evaluate
and approve the HCO and its PCM. The PCM becomes a WACM upon EPA's approval. This
evaluation shall include three components:

•	HCO Organizational Requirements (Section 4.1): EPA shall evaluate the HCO's
organizational structure and processes and procedures in place to conduct the verification,
certification, and labeling of homes for WaterSense. An HCO may use a designee (Section
4.2) to meet many of the organizational requirements.

•	Certification Method Development Process (Section 4.3): EPA shall evaluate the process by
which the technical requirements of an HCO's PCM were developed to ensure openness
and transparency.

•	Certification Method Technical Evaluation Process (Section 4.4): EPA shall evaluate the
technical efficacy of the HCO's PCM in demonstrating homes' compliance with the water
efficiency requirement in the WaterSense Specification for Homes.

Interested HCOs shall apply to EPA in accordance with the process described in Section 5.0.

4.1	HCO Organizational Requirements

WaterSense has identified six components of certification, described in the subsections below,
that ensure an HCO has a structure in place to effectively certify homes and issue and maintain
the integrity of the WaterSense label. These include:

•	Independent oversight

•	Quality assurance

•	Verifier training and authorization

•	Home verification protocols

•	Impartiality

•	Messaging and reporting

2 A verifier may be an employee of a designee, an employee associated with an independent organization that
contracts for verification services, an individual that contracts for verification services, or, under certain
circumstances, a direct employee of the HCO.

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The HCO shall demonstrate to EPA, through documentation supplied in its application (see
Section 5.1), that it meets the requirements outlined in this section.

The HCO may delegate certain organizational requirements outlined below to a designee(s). A
designee can be a provider that hires or contracts with raters or verifiers, or other organization
capable of adhering to the certification requirements, as relevant to the specific responsibility
being designated. The use of designees is more fully described in Section 4.2.

4.1.1	Independent Oversight

The HCO shall maintain independent oversight procedures to ensure that the certification and
labeling of homes for WaterSense is governed in a fair and impartial manner. This shall include:

•	Maintaining independent oversight. The HCO shall maintain independent oversight of its
program related to WaterSense, while exercising independent professional judgment. The
HCO shall demonstrate that the individuals responsible for oversight of the program are not
involved in the routine program operations or certification decisions.

4.1.2	Quality Assurance

The HCO shall implement quality assurance procedures that ensure that verifiers consistently
inspect and document compliance in accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes,
which includes the Mandatory Checklist and, by reference, the technical requirements of the
HCO's WACM. The quality assurance shall include:

•	Auditing WaterSense labeled homes. The HCO shall audit a subset of homes that have
received the WaterSense label to ensure homes are meeting the requirements of the
WaterSense Specification for Homes (including the requirements of an HCO's WACM). The
audit shall include a representative sample of WaterSense labeled homes such that it
demonstrates the capacity to identify erroneous certifications.

•	Ensuring qualified verifiers. The HCO shall only use verifiers in good standing with all
training and impartiality requirements, as described in Section 4.1.3 and 4.1.5, respectively,
to provide verification services.

•	Disciplining verifiers. The HCO shall maintain and enforce disciplinary procedures for
verifiers that do not meet the quality requirements of the HCO.

•	Resolving complaints. The HCO shall maintain and execute procedures to respond to and
resolve complaints involving home verification and/or certification. This includes
investigating failures impacting the water efficiency of certified homes.

•	Maintaining quality assurance documentation. The HCO shall maintain thorough
documentation of quality assurance activities including audit results, verifier
training/authorization records, verifier discipline records, and complaint resolutions.

4.1.3	Verifier Training and Authorization

The HCO shall train and authorize verifiers to verify homes in accordance with the WaterSense
Specification for Homes, as well as any administrative procedures used by the HCO for
oversight of the certification process, reporting, or other communications. At a minimum, this
shall include:

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•	Training verifiers on home verification and documentation procedures. The HCO shall
train verifiers to properly document home verifications and complete all reporting required by
the HCO and WaterSense. WaterSense shall supply each HCO with required training
materials for the WaterSense Specification for Homes (hereafter referred to as WaterSense
program-specific training requirements). If applicable, the HCO shall supplement this training
with additional information needed for the verifiers to understand and administer the HCO's
WACM.

•	Providing verifier training reciprocity. The HCO may waive any WaterSense program-
specific training requirements for potential new verifiers, provided that the verifier has
completed the WaterSense program-specific training requirements within the past two years
(for example, as part of training under another HCO). The WaterSense program-specific
training requirements are the only training requirements subject to this transferability. There
is no obligation or expectation that the WACM-specific training or any supplemental training
provided by individual HCOs will be transferable. Additionally, HCOs that utilize designees
for quality assurance shall have procedures in place to facilitate transferability of verifiers
from one designee to another.

•	Formally authorizing verifiers. The HCO shall formally authorize verifiers to verify homes
in accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes and the HCO's WACM. The
requirements for verifier authorization shall include, at a minimum: documentation of
successful completion of training; and evaluation, disclosure, and resolution of conflicts of
interest (COI), as outlined in Section 4.1.5. The HCO shall maintain a list of authorized
verifiers and periodically report authorized verifiers to EPA, as described in Section 4.1.6.

•	Integrating updates. In the event of modifications or clarifications to the WaterSense
Specification for Homes or the HCO's WACM requirements, the HCO shall retrain verifiers
on the new program requirements before the verifier inspects additional homes. The HCO
shall maintain up-to-date training records.

4.1.4 Home Verification Protocols

The HCO shall implement home verification protocols, which shall include, at a minimum:

•	Requiring verifiers to adhere to the WaterSense Specification for Homes. The HCO

shall ensure verifiers conduct verifications in accordance with the WaterSense Specification
for Homes.

•	Verifying builder partnership agreement with EPA. The HCO shall verify that any builder
seeking home certification in accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes has
a signed WaterSense builder partnership agreement in place prior to issuing the
WaterSense label and associated certification documentation.

•	Maintaining verification documentation. The HCO shall obtain home verification
documentation (e.g., checklists, scorecards) from verifiers. At a minimum, the
documentation shall include:

o Builder partner contact information;

o Address or lot number of the verified home (and address or lot number of any homes

covered by a relevant sampling protocol);
o Documentation of verification results sufficient to recreate the verification per the
requirements of the WaterSense Specification for Homes]

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o WACM version number under which the home was certified;
o Name and contact information for the verifier; and
o Home verification date(s).

• Sampling protocol. The HCO may offer builder partners the opportunity to participate in a
sampling protocol if a builder partner intends to certify multiple homes within the same
subdivision, planned community, or multifamily building. Sampling protocols could allow a
builder to seek the WaterSense label for a group of homes based on pre-analysis of building
plans and subsequent verification of a sample set of the homes. If the HCO chooses to offer
a sampling protocol for home certification, the protocol shall outline eligibility requirements
for participation in the sampling protocol and ensure that verification occurs on a
representative sample of homes constructed by the builder partner. The protocol shall also
establish processes for revoking eligibility for sampling based on failure to meet certification
and quality assurance requirements.3

4.1.5 Impartiality

The HCO shall have a systematic method for ensuring financial, legal, and ethical impartiality as
it pertains to verifying a home's compliance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes and
the HCO's WACM, and as it pertains to issuing the WaterSense label. The HCO's impartiality
management strategy shall account for both organizational and individual COI. Organizational
COI pertains to the organization(s) responsible for various aspects of home verification and
certification, whereas individual COI pertains to a specific person involved in the verification or
certification decision. Examples of COI include, but are not limited to, an organization or
individual:

•	Providing consulting or design services for a home.

•	Acting as the seller of the home or the seller's agent.

•	Acting as the lender for some portion of the financed payments on the home.

•	Selling, supplying, or installing products to facilitate the home meeting the specification
criteria.

•	Participating in both verification and sales or marketing activities of the HCO.

4.1.5.1 HCO Impartiality

The HCO is responsible for implementing its COI strategy for the organization and any
individuals under its direct employ.

3 In Version 1.2 of the WaterSense New Home Certification System, EPA defined the sampling protocol to include the
successful inspection of the first seven homes within a subdivision, planned community, or multifamily building, after
which the verifier could randomly select and verify one home from every additional group of seven homes. To provide
additional flexibility under this version of the certification system, the HCO may choose to implement sampling at a
lower rate, provided it demonstrates to EPA that it has other quality assurance activities in place to ensure continued
compliance with the requirements of the WaterSense Specification for Homes.

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4.1.5.2	Verifier Impartiality

An HCO that uses verifiers outside of its direct employ shall implement a verifier COI strategy
that includes the following:

•	Verifier COI disclosure. The HCO shall require current or prospective verifiers to disclose
any potential or existing COI.

•	Written verifier COI policy. The HCO shall have procedures for evaluating and resolving
potential COI disclosed by the external verifiers. This may include, for example, written
procedures for resolving COI or provisions that prohibit the existence of actual or perceived
COI. If applicable, the HCO must also have established procedures to be enacted in the
event that COI cannot be satisfactorily resolved.

If the HCO assigns a designee(s) to implement the verifier COI policy, it shall have procedures
in place to ensure the designee's compliance with the verifier COI strategy.

4.1.5.3	Designee Impartiality

An HCO that uses a designee(s) as allowed by this certification system shall implement a
designee COI strategy that includes the following:

•	Designee COI disclosure. The HCO shall require current or prospective designees to
disclose any potential or existing COI.

•	Written designee COI policy. The HCO shall have procedures for evaluating and resolving
COI presented by a designee. This may include, for example, written procedures for
resolving COI or provisions that prohibit the existence of actual or perceived COI. If
applicable, the HCO must also have established procedures to be enacted in the event that
COI issues cannot be satisfactorily resolved.

4.1.6 Messaging and Reporting

The HCO shall ensure information flow from WaterSense to the HCO (messaging) and
information flow from the HCO to WaterSense (reporting). The HCO shall also ensure that
relevant information is conveyed in a timely manner among WaterSense and the HCO's
designee(s), builders, and verifiers. At a minimum, the HCO's messaging and reporting
procedures shall include:

•	Centralized messaging structure. The HCO shall have a structure that enables it to
disseminate information from WaterSense to relevant stakeholders. Stakeholders can
include designees, verifiers, and/or builders. Messaging shall be complete, clear, and timely.

•	Inquiry response system. The HCO shall have procedures for stakeholders to submit
questions about home certifications and the WaterSense label. The HCO shall have a
means of providing accurate and timely responses to these inquiries.

•	Quarterly reporting to WaterSense. The HCO shall report home certification information to
WaterSense at least quarterly in a format approved by EPA. At minimum, the HCO shall
provide the following information regarding the homes certified and WaterSense labels
issued in accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes:

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o Builder partner name;
o Number of certified homes; and

o General location of certified home(s), including development (if applicable), city, state,
and zip code.

•	Non-routine requests for reporting program information to WaterSense. The HCO shall
provide additional program information to WaterSense in a timely manner, as requested. On
occasion, WaterSense may request information about topics including, but not limited to:

o Checklists for specific homes;

o Promotional materials created by the HCO and/or its designee(s); and
o Common non-conformities or issues encountered during the past quarter

•	Maintaining information about authorized verifiers and reporting to WaterSense. The

HCO shall maintain basic information about authorized verifiers. In addition, the HCO shall
report information about its authorized verifiers to WaterSense at least quarterly.
WaterSense shall provide the HCO with a standardized format for reporting, which shall
include, at a minimum, the following information for each authorized verifier:
o Name;

o Employer (or company name if self-employed);
o Phone number;
o Email address (if available);
o Website URL (if available);

o Address and/or service area (e.g., state(s), zip codes, and/or markets where verification

services are offered); and
o Confirmation that the information about the verifier can be made publicly available.

4.2 HCO Responsibilities for the Use of Designees

The HCO may delegate certain responsibilities to one or more designees, with the exception of
the responsibilities described below. In the instance of delegation, the HCO shall provide
WaterSense with information about the use of designee(s) and shall submit sufficient
information on policies that it requires designee(s) to follow. If the HCO plans to use a
designee(s), the HCO shall also submit its procedures for overseeing the designee(s) and the
fulfillment of their responsibilities. Procedures shall also include the process by which an HCO
will remove a designee if it fails to meet the HCO's requirements.

EPA has identified specific requirements the HCO may not delegate. Specifically, the HCO itself
must:

•	Maintain the final authority over the certification decision and issuance of the WaterSense
label as outlined in Section 5.3;

•	Establish and implement impartiality requirements as outlined in Section 4.1.5; and

•	Report information on authorized verifiers and certified homes to WaterSense as outlined in
Section 4.1.6.

HCOs using a designee(s) shall implement procedures that include, at a minimum, the
following, as applicable to the responsibilities of the designee(s):

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•	Overseeing designee(s) performing quality assurance activities. If an HCO assigns a
designee(s) to fulfill some or all of its quality assurance services, the HCO shall monitor and
oversee the designee(s) to ensure that it follows the quality assurance procedures and
requirements established by the HCO.

•	Overseeing designee(s) performing verifier training. If an HCO assigns a designee(s) to
train and authorize verifiers, the HCO shall develop or approve the designee training
program and monitor and oversee the designee(s) to ensure that they are fulfilling the
training requirements. The HCO shall retain and maintain a list of trained and authorized
verifiers from the designee(s).

•	Collecting information from designee(s) and verifiers. The HCO shall collect data from
its designee(s) needed to satisfy WaterSense reporting requirements.

4.3 HCO Certification Method Development Process

In developing the technical requirements included in the PCM, the HCO shall follow one of the

three approaches outlined below to demonstrate that the requirements were developed

following an open and transparent process.

•	Utilize an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved standard or
standard developed through an equivalent consensus-based standard development
process. The technical requirements in the PCM are included in a standard that was
developed and approved through an ANSI or equivalent consensus-based standard
development process.

•	Follow requirements for the jurisdiction with authority (for public agencies). For HCOs
that operate under the auspices of a public agency, the HCO shall demonstrate that the
technical requirements included in the PCM were developed in compliance with the
administrative and transparency requirements for standards and policy development of the
jurisdiction having authority over the program.

•	Demonstrate development in accordance with the certification method alternative
development requirements. If neither of the first two requirements can be met, the HCO
shall provide documentation demonstrating that the technical requirements included in the
PCM were developed in accordance with the criteria and requirements described in Table 2.
These criteria are based on the ANSI Essential Requirements,4 but have been modified to
apply to certification method development for WaterSense.

4 ANSI Essential Requirements: Due process requirements for American National Standards. January 2020.

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Table 2. Certification Method Alternative Development Requirements

Criteria

Requirement

Openness

¦	Participation in certification method development shall be open to all persons
who are directly and materially affected by the certification method. There
shall be no undue financial barriers to participation. Voting membership shall
not be conditional upon membership in any organization, or unreasonably
restricted on the basis of technical qualifications or other such requirements.

¦	Timely and adequate notice of any action to create, revise, reaffirm, or
withdraw the certification method, and the establishment of a new
certification method development body, shall be provided to all known
directly and materially affected interests. Notice shall include a clear and
meaningful description of the purpose of the proposed activity and shall
identify a readily available source for further information.

• The member's name (or if membership is by organization, the name of the
organization with a point of contact), affiliation, and interest category of each
member shall be made available to interested parties upon request.

Lack of Dominance

¦ The certification method development process shall not be dominated by any
single interest category, individual, or organization. Dominance means a
position or exercise of dominant authority, leadership, or influence by reason
of superior leverage, strength, or representation to the exclusion of fair and
equitable consideration of other viewpoints.

Balance

¦	The certification method development process shall have a balance of
interests. Participants from diverse interest categories shall be sought with
the objective of achieving balance. If the membership lacks balance,
outreach to achieve balance shall be undertaken. Balance means that no
single interest category constitutes a majority of the membership.

¦	In defining interest categories appropriate, consideration shall be given to at
least the following:

•	Builders

•	Home certification community

•	Manufacturers

•	Utilities

•	Municipalities

•	General interest

Notification of
Certification Method
Development

¦	Notification of certification method development activity shall be announced
in suitable media as appropriate to demonstrate an opportunity for
participation by all directly and materially affected persons.

¦	Public review is made available for a minimum of 30 days prior to the final
publication of the certification method.

Consideration of
Views and
Objections

¦	Prompt consideration shall be given to the written views and objections of all
participants.

¦	A publicly available written response shall be provided to comments on
formal ballots or public reviews drafts.

Consensus Vote

¦ Evidence of consensus in accordance with these requirements and the
procedures of the certification method developer shall be documented.

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Table 2. Certification Method Alternative Development Requirements

Criteria

Requirement

Appeals

¦	Written procedures shall contain an identifiable, realistic, and readily
available appeals mechanism for the impartial handling of procedural
appeals regarding any action or inaction. Procedural appeals include
whether a technical issue was afforded due process.

¦	Persons who have directly and materially affected interests and who have
been or will be adversely affected by any procedural action or inaction with
regard to the certification method development (or the revision, reaffirmation,
or withdrawal of the certification method), have the right to appeal.

4.4 Technical Evaluation Process for the HCO's Certification Method

EPA shall evaluate the technical efficacy of the PCM in accordance with its WaterSense
Technical Evaluation Process for Approving Home Certification Methods to ensure that the PCM
can differentiate homes that meet the water efficiency requirement in the WaterSense
Specification for Homes. Upon approval, the PCM becomes the HCO's WACM that can be used
in conjunction with the Mandatory Checklist to verify a home's compliance with the WaterSense
Specification for Homes. For more details on EPA's technical evaluation process, see the
WaterSense Technical Evaluation Process for Approving Home Certification Methods.

The HCO shall submit its PCM, including the technical requirements and all associated
thresholds or other criteria that the HCO will use to determine compliance with WaterSense's
efficiency requirement, to EPA for evaluation as part of the application process described in
Section 5.1.

EPA's intent is to recognize a WACM for a period of five (5) years as long as it is not revised by
the HCO such that the revisions could impact its ability to differentiate homes that meet EPA's
water efficiency requirement. However, as described in Section 9.2, EPA reserves the right to
modify the certification method technical evaluation process from time to time to clarify
requirements or as technological and/or market changes affect the usefulness of the
requirements to HCOs, builders, consumers, industry, or the environment. At the end of the five
(5) years, if EPA has updated or revised the WaterSense Technical Evaluation Process for
Approving Home Certification Methods, EPA reserves the right to re-evaluate an HCO's WACM
to ensure that it can continue to differentiate homes that meet the efficiency requirement in the
WaterSense Specification for Homes.

If the requirements of the HCO's WACM are revised prior to the end of the five (5)-year period,
the HCO shall notify EPA of these revisions pursuant to Section 9.1. EPA will assess the HCO's
updated certification method using the latest version of the WaterSense Technical Evaluation
Process for Approving Home Certification Methods.

5.0 Procedures and Requirements for HCOs

EPA shall evaluate an HCO's organizational structure and PCM prior to licensing the HCO to
certify and label homes in accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes, which
includes the Mandatory Checklist and, by reference, the requirements stipulated in the WACM
to achieve the water efficiency requirement. This section outlines the HCO's application and

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licensing procedures and summarizes the HCO's roles and responsibilities under this
certification system.

5.1 Application Procedures for HCOs

An HCO interested in certifying and labeling homes for WaterSense shall submit an application
to EPA, including all necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance with the
requirements in Section 4.0. EPA shall supply, and the HCO shall complete, the application
form. A copy of the application form, Application for Home Certification Organization (HCO) and
Proposed Certification Method (PCM) Approval, is available on the WaterSense website.

In addition, the HCO shall provide with its application:

•	Documentation of Organizational Requirements: The HCO shall document compliance
with the organizational requirements listed in Sections 4.1 and 4.2. This shall include
information on the use and oversight of any designee(s).

•	Documentation of Certification Method Development: The HCO shall document
compliance with the requirements of the process used to develop the technical requirements
included in its PCM, as described in Section 4.3.

•	Copy of the Proposed Certification Method: The HCO shall supply EPA with a copy of its
PCM and all necessary supporting documentation to support EPA's evaluation of the
method's technical efficacy in accordance with the WaterSense Technical Evaluation
Process for Approving Home Certification Methods. This shall include the thresholds and
criteria the HCO plans to implement to meet the water efficiency requirement in the
WaterSense Specification for Homes.

•	Point of Contact: The HCO shall designate a point of contact in its application and shall
provide that individual's contact information. This point of contact shall be responsible for
communicating and disseminating information to and from EPA as appropriate and will be
listed on the WaterSense website as the point of contact regarding the HCO's certification
offerings for WaterSense.

The application form is available on the WaterSense website. Completed applications and all
supporting documentation shall be emailed to the WaterSense Helpline at

watersense@epa.aov.

5.1.1 Provisional Approval

EPA retains the right to provisionally approve an HCO for select requirements where an HCO
requires modification to fully adhere to EPA's organizational and certification method
development requirements (as set forth in Sections 4.1, 4.2 [if applicable], and 4.3).
Requirements that may be considered for provisional approval are detailed in the Application for
Home Certification Organization (HCO) and Proposed Certification Method (PCM) Approval. For
any requirement for which an HCO is provisionally approved, EPA will work with the HCO to
develop a plan that outlines the conditions and timeline for full compliance with the
requirements. These terms will be detailed in the HCO's licensing agreement with EPA.

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5.2	HCO Licensure

Upon receipt and evaluation of the application and supporting documentation, if the HCO meets
all criteria satisfactorily, EPA shall notify the HCO that it is eligible to sign a licensing agreement.
The HCO shall return signed copies of a licensing agreement supplied by EPA. This is a legal
document between EPA and the HCO that grants the HCO access to, and conditions for
authorizing the use and distribution of, the WaterSense label for homes. It also outlines the
terms and roles and responsibilities for certifying and labeling homes in accordance with the
WaterSense Specification for Homes. The licensing agreement signals the HCO's and EPA's
commitment to cooperate in the administration of the WaterSense Labeled Homes Program in
accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes, the HCO's WACM, and this
WaterSense Home Certification System.

EPA shall return signed and fully executed copies of the licensing agreement to the HCO along
with an electronic version of the WaterSense label, WaterSense label certificate, and any
WaterSense-specific training or other program materials. The signed agreement signifies that
the HCO is authorized to train verifiers, certify homes, and issue the WaterSense label.

EPA shall maintain a listing of licensed HCOs and their respective WACMs on the WaterSense
website.

EPA reserves the right to terminate the licensing agreement for any HCO that does not actively
fulfill the requirements outlined in this certification system.

5.3	Issuing the WaterSense Label

Prior to issuing the WaterSense label, the HCO shall ensure, either directly or through
procedures established with its designee(s), that a builder partnership agreement is in place
(and signed by both the builder and EPA, as described in Section 6.1). To verify the partnership,
the HCO or its designee(s) should check the WaterSense website for a current list of builder
partners. If the builder is not listed as a partner on the WaterSense website, the HCO or its
designee(s) can verify the partnership agreement by contacting the WaterSense Helpline at
(866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) or watersense@epa.gov.

The HCO shall maintain the final authority over the certification decision and issuance of the
WaterSense label. It shall confirm that a builder partner's home(s) conform with and have been
verified in accordance with its WACM and the WaterSense Specification for Homes, which
includes the Mandatory Checklist. The HCO shall document its certification decision, and the
HCO or its designee shall complete and provide to the builder partner the WaterSense label
certificate for each certified home, which includes:

•	A certification statement that the home has been certified to meet the WaterSense
Specification for Homes;

•	The name of the builder partner;

•	The name/company of the authorized verifier;

•	The name of the HCO;

•	The address or lot number of the certified home; and

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• The date of certification.

At the time the WaterSense label is issued, the HCO shall also supply the builder partner with
guidelines on proper use of the WaterSense program marks.

5.3.1 Exemptions for Conflicts With Local Code

EPA does not intend for the WaterSense Specification for Homes to exempt homes from
adhering to local codes, standards, or regulations. All homes shall obtain building permits, as
applicable, and therefore will need to meet local and state code requirements, regardless of
whether the builder is pursuing the WaterSense label for the home.

However, there is potential for local standards and codes to conflict with EPA's requirements
detailed in the Mandatory Checklist included in the WaterSense Specification for Homes. In
these cases, the HCO shall consult with EPA by contacting the WaterSense Helpline at
watefsenseQepa.gQv. EPA will consider and respond to such conflicts on a case-by-case basis
and provide exceptions where appropriate.

5.4 Reporting and Recordkeeping

HCOs shall maintain records associated with program operations and routinely submit
documentation about verifiers and homes that have received the WaterSense label directly to
the WaterSense Helpline at watersense@epa.aov.

5.4.1	Reporting Authorized Verifiers to EPA

The HCO shall maintain a list of authorized verifiers who have met all training, impartiality, and
other requirements as outlined in the HCO's approved organizational requirements. At least
quarterly, the HCO shall submit a complete list of authorized verifiers to the WaterSense
Helpline at watersense@epa.aov. See Section 4.1.6 for details on information that should be
included in the HCO's report.

At its discretion, EPA may post the list of authorized verifiers (and/or associated employer) to
the WaterSense website, so that builder partners can find specific verifiers in their area who can
provide verification services for WaterSense and the HCO's WACM. EPA may also use the
contact information provided to contact authorized verifiers or to provide informative updates
about the WaterSense program. HCOs can notify the WaterSense Helpline at
wat8rsens8@8pa.gov regarding verifiers who choose to opt out of communication.

5.4.2	Reporting WaterSense Labeled Homes to EPA

The HCO shall report at least quarterly to the WaterSense Helpline regarding the homes that
they have certified within the previous quarter. See Section 4.1.6 for details on information that
should be included in the HCO's report.

5.4.3	Maintaining Records

The HCO shall maintain records related to its implementation of the WACM and certification and
labeling of homes for WaterSense and shall be able to provide EPA with access to or copies of

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the records upon request. In instances where a specific certification responsibility is delegated,
as allowed under this certification system, the HCO shall ensure that the designee(s) maintains
the relevant records and that it has access to the records upon request. The HCO and/or
designee(s) shall maintain all relevant records for a minimum of three (3) years. At a minimum,
these records shall include:

•	Documentation of quality assurance activities;

•	Verifier training and authorizations;

•	Verification records;

•	COI disclosures and resolutions; and

•	Documentation to support certification decisions.

6.0	Procedures and Requirements for Builder Partners

This section outlines the requirements and procedures for WaterSense builder partners.

Builders that partner with EPA can earn WaterSense certification through an HCO of their
choosing. To earn the WaterSense label, candidate homes will be verified and certified in
accordance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes, which includes the Mandatory
Checklist, and, by reference, requirements in the selected HCO's WACM to achieve the water
efficiency requirement.

6.1	Partnership With EPA

Builders shall si jilder partnership agreement with EPA as described in the WaterSense
Program Guidelines if they wish to obtain the WaterSense label for their homes. Receipt of the
WaterSense label is contingent upon partnership and home certification. The HCO or its
designee shall verify that the builder has a partnership agreement in place with EPA as part of
the certification process and prior to issuing the WaterSense label.

EPA shall maintain a list of builder partners that have built or plan to build WaterSense labeled
homes.

As part of the builder partnership agreement with EPA, the builder shall provide EPA with:

•	Contact information;

•	Company website, if applicable; and

•	A list of states and/or localities in which they build.

EPA shall post this information on its builder partner list on the WaterSense website. The
registry may also include the general location (city, state) and number of WaterSense labeled
homes for each builder partner, as reported by the respective HCO.

6.2	Application

The builder partner shall apply for certification for each individual home. To initiate the
verification and certification process, the builder partner shall identify the WACM under which it
would like to obtain certification and contact the respective HCO or one of its authorized verifiers

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directly. EPA shall maintain a list of HCOs, information regarding the HCO's WACM, and a list
of associated authorized verifiers on the WaterSense website, including the localities where the
authorized verifiers offer verification services for the HCO's program.

6.3 Home Certification and Labeling

The builder partner shall work with the HCO or its designee(s) and authorized verifiers to
determine a home's compliance with the WaterSense Specification for Homes. This includes
compliance with all quality assurance and oversight requirements specified by the HCO. Upon
verification, the HCO shall provide documentation of certification, and the HCO or its designee
will present the builder partner with a copy of the WaterSense label.

The WaterSense label indicates that the home has been certified to conform to the WaterSense
Specification for Homes. A WaterSense label shall not create any express or implied warranty.
At the time the WaterSense label is issued, the HCO or designee shall also supply the builder
partner with guidance on proper use of the WaterSense label. The builder partner is then
allowed to advertise that the home conforms to the specification and has earned the label. Any
promotion of the WaterSense label shall be directly related to the certified home or to a
community of homes that earn the WaterSense label individually. EPA will also provide builder
partners with promotional resources that will help them to advertise and market their intent to
build homes to meet the WaterSense specification.

7.0	EPA Oversight

EPA is responsible for overseeing the HCO's implementation of the certification and labeling of
homes for WaterSense.

7.1	General HCO Oversight

EPA reserves the right to audit the operations and records of an HCO and/or its designee(s) to
ensure that the HCO is meeting the responsibilities under this certification system. EPA shall
request, and the HCO shall provide EPA with, documentation to facilitate the operations and
records audit.

As part of its oversight responsibilities, EPA shall investigate and respond to complaints
pertaining to HCOs. Complaints may be submitted directly to the WaterSense Helpline at

watersense@epa.aov.

If EPA discovers that the HCO is failing to meet its responsibilities under this certification
system, it will notify the HCO and will coordinate corrective action or, if necessary, suspend or
revoke the HCO's participation in the program. In the event that an HCO fails to satisfy its
responsibilities, EPA can terminate the HCO's licensing agreement. These measures can be
temporary or permanent at EPA's discretion, depending on the severity of the issue.

7.2	Surveillance of Home Conformance and Label Use

EPA also reserves the right to conduct periodic in-home inspections of labeled homes prior to
their sale or initial occupancy and to periodically review websites and other certification
references and WaterSense label usages. In the case of an in-home inspection, EPA will

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coordinate the visit with the builder partner and the home's verifier and/or HCO, so as not to
delay the certification process. If nonconformities with the specification are identified, EPA will
notify the HCO and/or the builder partner and will engage in corrective or other necessary action
in accordance with Section 8.0 of this document.

8.0 Suspension or Withdrawal of the WaterSense Label From Homes

The HCO is responsible for notifying EPA of specific instances of nonconformity. Nonconformity
may include, but is not limited to:

•	Receipt of formal complaints from home buyers or other interested parties indicating that a
certified home's water-efficient features were generally misrepresented (e.g., multiple
features do not comply with the specification).

•	Instances where the HCO or its designee discovers that a builder is fraudulently or falsely
claiming that its homes have been certified and labeled in accordance with the WaterSense
Specification for Homes and this certification system.

EPA is responsible for engaging the builder partner in corrective action and for determining
when the use of the WaterSense label should be suspended or withdrawn due to
nonconformance or improper use of or reference to the WaterSense label. EPA might also
discover nonconformance or improper use or reference to the WaterSense label from its
stakeholders or during periodic reviews of certification and label usage. If EPA discovers
nonconformance or certification and labeling issues, it will notify the HCO that issued the
WaterSense label and will coordinate corrective action or, if necessary, label suspension or
withdrawal.

WaterSense label suspension can occur for a limited period of time as specified by EPA. During
the period of suspension, the builder partner is prohibited from using the WaterSense label in
conjunction with the home in question and with any home built after the issuance of a
suspension, until such time as EPA indicates the suspension can be removed. The HCO shall
assist EPA as necessary by revoking the WaterSense label from the home in question,
determining when the terms for suspension removal have been fulfilled, ensuring that no new
WaterSense labels are issued during the period of suspension, and upon EPA's approval,
reissuing the WaterSense label to the builder partner for the home in question.

In more severe or repeated instances of nonconformity, improper use or reference to the
WaterSense label, or failure to meet the requirements for reinstatement of a suspended
WaterSense label, EPA will rescind the WaterSense label from all of the builder partner's
certified homes that have not yet been sold. EPA will notify the builder partner that the
certification and WaterSense label are being withdrawn.

If a builder's use of the WaterSense label is withdrawn for any reason, EPA will require that the
builder partner cease to advertise the certification of its homes to the WaterSense specification,
and the label shall be eliminated immediately from homes not already sold. EPA will inform the
HCO that the builder partner is no longer allowed to use or receive the WaterSense label and
will decide whether termination of the builder partnership agreement or other corrective action is
warranted. The HCO will assist EPA as necessary by rescinding the WaterSense label from all

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certified homes that have not yet been sold and will not issue any new WaterSense labels to the
builder partner.

9.0	Amendments, Modifications, and Revisions

In the course of program operations, the HCO and/or EPA may decide to change certain
elements of program structure and function. The following sections describe procedures to be
followed in the event of amendments, modifications, and/or revisions initiated either by the HCO
or EPA.

9.1	HCO-lnitiated Changes to Organizational or WACM Requirements

The HCO shall notify EPA in writing about any proposed organizational or WACM changes that
materially affect its ability to comply with the requirements outlined in this certification system
and ensure that homes meet the requirements of the WaterSense Specification for Homes.
Notification shall be made at least 60 days prior to the implementation of such changes and with
sufficient time to allow for EPA to evaluate the changes and determine if the HCO and its
WACM will continue to meet the requirements of the certification system and the WaterSense
Specification for Homes. The HCO shall notify EPA of these changes via email by contacting
the WaterSense Helpline at watersense@epa.gov.

EPA shall evaluate revisions to the HCO's WACM using the latest version of the WaterSense
Technical Evaluation Process for Approving Home Certification Methods. EPA shall notify the
HCO if modifications are needed to the proposed requirements or the licensing agreement
between EPA and the HCO as a result of the changes.

9.2	EPA-lnitiated Program Changes

EPA reserves the right to amend these rules of procedure, which may include issuing technical
clarifications or amending or revising this certification system, the WaterSense Specification for
Homes, or the WaterSense Technical Evaluation Process for Approving Home Certification
Methods. EPA may revise these documents independently, depending on the nature of the
changes.

Revisions to the specification, certification method technical evaluation process, or this
certification system can occur due to technological and/or market changes that affect the
usefulness of the requirements to HCOs, builders, consumers, industry, or the environment, or
to clarify requirements. EPA will only make major revisions following an open public process.
This will include discussion with builders, HCOs, and other interested stakeholders regarding
the changes and any transition period. Minor revisions will generally be more editorial in nature
and serve to clarify requirements. EPA will notify stakeholders when revisions are considered
major or minor. To facilitate version control, EPA will designate a title, version number, and date
for all of the relevant documents it produces, as indicated below:

•	WaterSense Home Certification System

•	Version X.Y

•	Month, Day, Year

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10.0 For More Information

For inquiries or other questions related to this home certification system or the WaterSense
Specification for Homes, please contact the WaterSense Helpline at (866) WTR-SENS (987-
7367) or watersense@epa.aov

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