by jbs010808 J3 — January 12, 2009—The ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), a subsidiary of the International Code Council, is now providing independent certification for water-efficient products to meet customer demand for green building products. ICC-ES is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to certify products for the WaterSense Program, which identifies and promotes high performance, water-efficient products.
According to the EPA, products carrying the WaterSense label are certified to perform 20% more efficiently than traditional products. The WaterSense program has reportedly helped save more than 277 million gallons of water a year and saves millions in energy costs to supply, heat, and treat that water. High-efficiency toilets and high-efficiency bathroom sink faucets, both listed under the ICC-ES Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG) Program, qualify for the WaterSense Program.
To earn certification, manufacturers must first enter into a partnership agreement with the EPA, then submit an application form and independent lab product test reports for ICC-ES review. ICC-ES requires that all products achieve compliance with the International Plumbing Code or Uniform Plumbing Code and standards before they can be evaluated under the WaterSense Program. When a manufacturer achieves compliance with the WaterSense requirements, it also will receive an ICC-ES PMG Listing based on codes and referenced standards.
