The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense Program has been selected by the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day (WSD) Planning Committee as the recipient of the prestigious Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award. Members of the U.S. standards and conformity assessment community will honor the WaterSense program during the U.S. Celebration of WSD at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center on Thursday, October 23, 2025, in Rockville, MD.
Named for the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the Ronald H. Brown Award honors demonstrated leadership in promoting the important role of standardization in eliminating global barriers to trade.
WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by the EPA, is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource to help save water. Created in 2006, the program is recognized for its voluntary specifications that promote quality, performance, and innovation across a wide range of plumbing practices and products.
The program has built strong partnerships in the water efficiency sector, collaborating with trade associations, irrigation professionals, irrigation certification programs, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and utilities to promote water-efficient landscape irrigation practices and bring WaterSense products to market. It has fostered cooperation among government, industry, and nonprofits to achieve environmental and economic benefits through reduced water consumption and lower utility costs.
About World Standards Day
Celebrated annually, World Standards Day pays tribute to the thousands of volunteers around the world who participate in standardization activities, and helps to raise awareness of the role that standards play in addressing national and global priorities. The event has been held since 1970 and is recognized in nations around the globe.
The U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day is an annual event that honors the U.S. standards and conformity assessment community and recognizes its efforts to promote American competitiveness in a global marketplace, safeguard the environment, and improve the quality of life for workers and consumers around the world. U.S. activities are organized annually by a planning committee consisting of representatives from across the standards and conformity assessment community. IAPMO is serving as the administrating organization in 2025.
WSD 2025 Theme: Standards for Public Health and Safety
The 2025 U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day theme, Standards for Public Health and Safety, is a tribute to the dedicated individuals and robust frameworks that make standards for public health and safety a reality in our increasingly complex world. From the water we drink, to the buildings we inhabit, to the transportation systems we rely on, nearly every aspect of our daily lives is safeguarded by private-sector-led, voluntary standards.
More information about the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day is available at www.wsd-us.org.
