Frequently
Asked Questions: WaterSense Certification and Labeling of
High-Efficiency Toilets
How do I get the WaterSense label for my high-efficiency toilet?
The first step toward obtaining the WaterSense label is to enter
into a partnership agreement with EPA. A copy of the manufacturer
partnership agreement can be found on the WaterSense Web site at
<www.epa.gov/watersense>. Under the partnership agreement
you will have 12 months to obtain certification for a product that
conforms to the WaterSense High-Efficiency Toilet Specification.
The second step is to have your product certified for conformance
to the WaterSense High-Efficiency Toilet Specification by a licensed
certifying body either accredited by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) in accordance with the WaterSense product certification system, or otherwise approved for
that purpose by EPA.
How do I submit my product to a licensed certifying body?
Contact the approved product certifying body of your choice directly
and follow their application procedures.
Which certifying bodies are accredited by ANSI or otherwise approved
by EPA to certify the product?
A listing of licensed certifying bodies that meet WaterSense criteria
is posted on the WaterSense Web site, or can be obtained from the
WaterSense Helpline at (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367).
What criteria must be licensed certifying body meet in order to
certify products?
Initially, EPA will approve a licensed certifying body to certify
products and authorize the use of the WaterSense label, provided
it meets each of the following criteria. Each licensed certifying
body:
- Shall demonstrate that it is accredited by ANSI in accordance
with ISO/IEC Guide 65, General requirements for bodies operating
product certification systems.
- Shall have plumbing products or other product categories directly
related to WaterSense specifications included in its scope of
accreditation.
- Shall declare that the laboratories used by the licensed certifying
body have the competence and capability to conduct tests in accordance
with relevant WaterSense specifications.
- Shall declare that it has the technical expertise required in
the evaluation of relevant WaterSense products.
- Shall declare that its ongoing surveillance requirements for
WaterSense labeled products will be equivalent to current surveillance
requirements for the certification of similar products.
- Shall indicate which WaterSense specification(s) are relevant
to its current ANSI-accredited scope.
- Shall sign a licensing agreement with EPA related to the conditions
for authorizing the use of the WaterSense label.
Who authorizes the use of the WaterSense label?
ANSI-accredited licensed certifying bodies, or those otherwise
approved by EPA will authorize the use of the WaterSense label in
accordance with EPA requirements. The licensed certifying body that
certifies a product will include its name in close proximity to
the WaterSense label.
What about products previously tested under the predecessor UNAR
specification?
Products previously tested under the UNAR specification must be
certified for conformance to the WaterSense High-Efficiency Toilet
Specification in order to achieve the WaterSense label.
How much will product certification cost?
The cost structure for product certification is determined by the
licensed certifying bodies. EPA anticipates that the testing fee
and cost for certification of high-efficiency toilets, which may
include opening a certification file or adding models to an existing
file, will be in line with the current cost structure for toilet
certification by an ANSI-accredited licensed certifying body.
How long will certification take?
The exact process and timing will be determined by the licensed
certifying body conducting the certification. 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 licensed certifying to
WaterSense specifications will be similar to the time it takes to
get plumbing products certified to American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) or 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 addition, EPA will maintain a master
list of WaterSense labeled products on the WaterSense Web site.
How will EPA know my product has been certified?
Licensed certifying bodies are required to maintain a listing of
all products they certify on their Web sites. They will periodically
submit an updated list to EPA so the WaterSense Web registry remains
as current as possible. Using the WaterSense product notification
form, available on the WaterSense Web site, manufacturers should
also notify EPA directly when a new model is certified. This will
ensure that EPA has the most current list of certified products
possible on the WaterSense Web site.
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, however, adjust the specific
certification requirements as appropriate for individual product
categories.
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