Unified Water Label Association Recognizes ICC-ES as Scheme Partner

Partnership increases compliance among North American-made plumbing products entering the European market

Brea, Calif. – ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), a member of the International Code Council family of solutions and the experts in building product evaluation and certification, has been accepted as a supporter and scheme partner to the Unified Water Label Association (UWLA). The partnership signifies that ICC-ES certification services are recognized by the UWLA as an option to demonstrate compliance for manufacturers whose products are undergoing periodic audit.

Bathroom manufacturers around the world are aiding governments in their quest to reduce water consumption by producing new, innovative and technologically advanced bathroom products. The Unified Water Label (UWL) is a harmonized European label for all water-using bathroom products. For those looking to enter the European market, this label is an important way to recognize energy-efficient bathroom products and, as an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited body, ICC-ES can help to certify such products.

ICC-ES currently works with manufacturers of plumbing products globally, certifying products for conformity to North American Codes and standards and is capable of certifying to the UWL scheme as well, offering manufacturers an added credential that will aid in market entry in Europe or any of the other markets around the world that have adopted or recognized the UWL.

“Global harmonization and a focus on high quality building and plumbing product safety standards worldwide are at the forefront of the Code Council’s initiatives,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “This additional recognition available by ICC-ES will support manufacturers looking to expand their sales to new international markets.”

“We are always looking to serve the needs of our customers, and this collaborative partnership with UWLA adds value for plumbing manufacturers looking to get their products into the European market,” said ICC-ES President Shahin Moinian, P.E. “Existing report holders may include the UWL as an add-on certification, and it also serves as a point of difference for manufacturers looking to transfer their listing to a globally-inclusive evaluation service provider.”

The ICC-ES Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG) program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), Standards Council of Canada (SCC), and ema to certify plumbing and mechanical products to Official Mexican Standards (NOMs). With this, the program offers listings to meet all manufacturer certification needs in the United States, Canada and Mexico. ICC-ES PMG is also licensed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to certify water-efficient products under the WaterSense program and is approved by the City of Los Angeles.

To learn more, visit www.icc-es.org/pmg.

Manufacturers interested in participating in the UWL system may do so by visiting the website at www.europeanwaterlabel.eu.