WaterSense Product Certification
| You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view some of the files
on this page. See EPA's
PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the
free Acrobat Reader. |
EPA requires all products bearing the WaterSense
label to be independently certified. This certification provides
consumers with confidence in both the water efficiency and performance
of WaterSense labeled products.
To ensure that WaterSense labeled products meet specific efficiency
and performance criteria, EPA has released its final WaterSense
product certification system (PDF) (14 pp, 91K). This certification
system outlines the process and procedures for the product certification
and will supersede the interim certification process outlined in
Appendix A of the program
guidelines (PDF) (42 pp, 283K).
The WaterSense product certification system becomes effective on
April 1, 2009, although EPA will be transitioning from the interim
certification process through April 1, 2010. Certifying bodies not
currently licensed by EPA should be accredited directly to these
requirements.
What does this transition mean for you?
Consumer
Consumers should see no noticeable change. Products will still
be certified by an independent third-party certifying body, only
now EPA can:
- Ensure consistent application of its minimum product certification
requirements.
- Establish uniformity in the certifying body accreditation process,
while making the process open to all qualified accreditation organizations.
- Provide fully transparent criteria for product certification
and the accreditation of product certifying bodies.
Manufacturer
Beginning April 1, 2010 manufacturers will have to obtain all WaterSense
related product certifications from an EPA licensed certifying body
that is accredited to provide certification services for WaterSense.
EPA will post an updated list
of its certifying bodies as they are licensed under the final
certification system.
EPA anticipates that all of its current licensed
certifying bodies will obtain this accreditation for WaterSense.
If, for any unforeseen reason, a licensed certifying body chooses
not to seek accreditation, EPA will work with the affected manufacturers
to transition their certifications to another licensed certifying
body.
For manufacturers with existing WaterSense product certifications,
this transition should require very little operational change.
EPA does not require notice from its manufacturer partners for
this transition unless the manufacturer switches its product certifications
to another licensed certifying body. If this is the case, please
notify the WaterSense Helpline and
fill out and submit a new
certified product notification form with the updated certification
information.
Certifying Body
Effective April 1, 2009, certifying bodies not currently licensed
by EPA should be accredited directly to the final WaterSense
product certification system (PDF) (14 pp, 91K) requirements.
EPA will post a list of accreditation
bodies to begin this process.
EPA has built in some transition time for those licensed certifying
bodies currently offering certification services for WaterSense.
They may continue to operate according to the interim certification
process, but between now and April 1, 2010, will have to transition
to and obtain accreditation in accordance with the final certification
system. To be licensed, for a particular product specification,
certifying bodies must extend their scope of accreditation for each
WaterSense product specification.
Upon accreditation, please contact the WaterSense
Helpline for application procedures and to obtain a copy of
the licensing agreement.
Accreditation Body
EPA has opened up the application process for all accreditation
bodies interested in providing services for WaterSense. Any accreditation
body meeting the final application and approval criteria may apply
at any time.
To qualify under the transitional criteria, accreditation bodies
must submit an application to EPA no later than April 30, 2009,
and show continual progress toward meeting the final application
and approval criteria. All accreditation bodies must meet the final
application and approval criteria by April 1, 2011.
To apply either under the final or transitional application and
approval process, please submit an application letter to the WaterSense
Helpline, as described in the product
certification system (PDF) (14 pp, 91K).
Technical Information
Are you a manufacturer
or other party interested in finding out more about the development
of the final WaterSense product certification system? To learn more
about the certification process, including the proposed draft certification
scheme, public response to the draft requirements, and EPA's response
to the public comments, please see:
|
