The ENERGY STAR and WaterSense programs include requirements that test data from third-party laboratories come from labs accredited by signatories to the ILAC MRA. Both programs are administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but participation is voluntary rather than mandatory. EPA cites these international arrangements to provide greater assurance to consumers that products carrying the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense labels meet strict program requirements.
Further information:
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/downloads/mou/Criteria_Accreditation_Bodies_Labs.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/revised-cert-system_meeting-summary080111_508.pdf
In addition, there is a proposed rule to control formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products to require test results from a laboratory accredited by an ILAC MRA signatory accreditation body.
“We didn’t have to develop and implement our own set of rules. Any kind of agency-specific rule creates costs or hassles for industry, and that was something we really wanted to avoid. We currently certify products in 65 categories, many of which are certified and tested overseas. Referencing the ILAC MRA took the EPA off the hook for developing a lot of criteria for labs or conducting our own lab oversight. And, by working with only ILAC signatories, we have the confidence that the labs have been appropriately assessed. We now recognize 27 ILAC-signatory accreditation bodies around the world.”
Eamon Monaghan, Program Integrity Lead, ENERGYSTAR