Underwriters Laboratories (UL) will provide testing and certification services for high-efficiency lavatory faucets and faucet accessories for the WaterSense program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). High-efficiency lavatory faucets are the most recent product category added to EPA’s WaterSense initiative, which was launched in February 2007 to safeguard the U.S. water supply by identifying and promoting water-efficient products and services.
As an approved certification organization, UL works with manufacturers to help them obtain the WaterSense label for plumbing products that demonstrate at least 20 percent greater efficiency in water use. The WaterSense high-efficiency lavatory faucet specification is designed to ensure both sustainable, efficient water use and greater user satisfaction. The specification applies to lavatory faucets in private use, such as in residences, and private restrooms in hotels and hospitals.
Even though federal law requires that new faucets not exceed 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm), older faucets can flow at rates as high as 3 -7 gpm. High-efficiency restroom sink faucets and accessories can reduce this standard flow by more than 30 percent without sacrificing performance. Buildings using WaterSense-labeled bathroom sink faucets or faucet accessories could save an average of more than 500 gallons each year.
Certified products will be included on an EPA product registry and will bear the WaterSense label. UL also will list all products certified for WaterSense.
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