Water Friendly®

A reliable certification for the commitment to the efficient and responsible use of water

WHAT IS WATER FRIENDLY?

Water Friendly applies to organizations committed to sustainable and responsible water management. It defines clear standards for continuous improvement in water savings, reuse, and consumption control, enabling stakeholders to identify organizations that integrate water sustainability, transparency, and environmental responsibility into their operations.

What this certification means

A VERIFIED STANDARD THAT ENSURES ORGANIZATIONS OPERATE WITH SUSTAINABLE, RESPONSIBLE, AND WATER-SMART PRACTICES.

The organization will be certified under the Water Friendly standard, which ensures:

WHO CAN GET CERTIFIED

Applicable to organizations committed to sustainable and responsible water management.

The operator must meet the following requirements:

Water Management Records

Operators must keep records or demonstrate capacity to measure and compare efficiency per cycle or base year.

Trained management

At least one management team member must complete CONFICERT Water Friendly training online.

Internal audit completed

Operators must carry out a complete internal audit covering all Brand requirements prior to certification.

Certification Options:

Individual operator

Certification issued to one legal entity operating at a single location under a clearly defined scope.

multisite operator

Certification covering multiple locations under one legal entity, requiring centralized management.

Group of Operators

Parent organization manages certification covering multiple legally independent operators.

ADVANTAGES OF BEING CERTIFIED

By obtaining Water Friendly certification, organizations unlock multiple benefits for their business, brand, and consumers.

STRATEGIC POSITIONING

Positions organization as responsible actor in markets.

Reputation Enhancement

Strengthens image through genuine sustainability commitment.

Strategic Water Integration

Embeds sustainable water management into core strategy.

Regulatory Compliance

Demonstrates compliance and reduces regulatory legal risks.

Improved Operational Efficiency

Identify water efficiency improvements reducing costs and risks.

Protection Against Greenwashing

Guarantee authenticity and avoid misleading ESG claims.

LEARN WHAT’S BEHIND THE WATER FRIENDLY LABEL

Why Water Friendly Matters

Discover how the Water Friendly brand provides a rigorous and verifiable framework that promotes responsible and sustainable water management across all sectors. Designed as a global reference, it supports organizations in meeting legal and regulatory requirements while recognizing water as a public good and a limited resource that must be protected in terms of both quantity and quality. Through clear technical criteria aligned with international standards, Water Friendly enables entities to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development, transparency, and continuous improvement in water stewardship.

By choosing Water Friendly certified organizations, stakeholders gain confidence in a system that strengthens regulatory compliance and enhances environmental performance. The certification encourages efficient use, monitoring, reuse, and responsible management of water resources, contributing to global sustainability goals and reinforcing trust among consumers, partners, and investors. As a harmonized international certification brand, Water Friendly helps organizations integrate sustainability into their strategy and stand out in an increasingly responsible  marketplace.

REQUIREMENTS MAP FOR WATER FRIENDLY BRAND

Our Commitment to Transparency

Empowering conscious choices through clear, verified information

At CONFICERT, we believe that trust begins with transparency. That’s why we go beyond traditional certifications — offering consumers direct access to clear, verifiable information about what lies behind every label. Through independent audits, rigorous standards, and digital verification tools like our Transparency Portal, we empower consumers to make informed, conscious choices with confidence.

FREQUENCY ASKED QUESTIONS

At this initial stage, our Brands are not accredited by Accreditation Bodies (such as ENAC), as they require a preliminary implementation period to demonstrate proper operation and market acceptance.

However, CONFICERT Brands are fully accreditable. Once their performance is consolidated, and whenever the scheme requires it, the process for formal accreditation can begin. From the outset, CONFICERT has considered this possibility and maintains an open, continuous-improvement approach.

Additionally, the integrity of the system, common to all Brands, is managed centrally through the Integrity Surveillance Program. A summarized description of the program is available on the CONFICERT website, and the full document can be requested if desired.

It is also important to highlight that all certification bodies within CONFICERT are accredited (in the case of Spanish bodies, by ENAC) and conduct their activities primarily based on accredited schemes, a system we fully trust and believe in.

The certification processes for CONFICERT Brands can only be carried out by Certification Bodies (CBs) that meet one of the following conditions:

✔️ Hold an active membership in CONFICERT (platinum, gold, or silver), or

✔️ Are considered collaborators.

In both cases, CBs must demonstrate prior compliance with the requirements established for each Brand (accreditations, staff training, experience, etc.) and successfully complete the authorization process to be able to certify them. It is important to note that members cannot directly certify CONFICERT Brand simply as part of their membership.

The authorization process is defined in the association’s internal procedures, and its compliance and performance are monitored under the Integrity Surveillance Program, ensuring transparency and reliability of the system.

Certified operators sign licensing agreements, provide data for the Transparency Portal, follow the CONFICERT Trademark and Logo Use Manual,. Furthermore, use of the trademark is subject to the Integrity Surveillance Program and ongoing monitoring by CONFICERT. For more info about our Integrity Surveillance Program, click here.

Yes, we have already started conversations with several associations and companies from different sectors. We believe that our initiative represents an excellent opportunity for both to promote transparency as a way to empower consumers, enhance competitiveness, differentiate companies, and effectively communicate their messages to society.

In any case, it is important to note that even if distributors or authorities do not require a specific label, as long as the labels comply with the law (as CONFICERT’s do), we are confident that a significant portion of consumers will prefer products or services carrying a CONFICERT Brand. When given the choice between a product certified with a label whose meaning they cannot fully understand and a product whose label provides clear, comprehensible, and transparent information about what it represents and why the product or service carries it, consumers are likely to choose the latter.

At this stage, we have not yet had the opportunity to present the initiative to public administrations. However, we aim to engage with them to explore how CONFICERT can support their objectives. We believe our initiative is an excellent tool for administrations committed to transparency, helping to address existing gaps, empower consumers, improve competitiveness and differentiation for companies, and effectively communicate their messages to society.

Regarding regulatory alignment, we are fully convinced that the CONFICERT system complies with the new European and national regulations related to consumer empowerment for the ecological transition and environmental claims, including:

1. Directive (EU) 2024/825 – Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (Anti-Greenwashing Directive),

2. Directive (EU) 2023/0085 (COD) – Substantiation and Communication of Explicit Environmental Claims (Green Claims Directive),

3. Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD, 2023) and related sustainability systems.

We have already submitted several inquiries to both the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the European Commission, although we have not yet received a response.

NOTE: CONFICERT believes not only that it fully complies with this legislation, but also that it is fully aligned with it and can serve as a valuable tool for its implementation, for reasons including:

(1) Anti-Greenwashing Directive (EU) 2024/825:

  • The CONFICERT system is based on a certification scheme that should be included in Annex I of Directive 2005/29/EC.
  • The conditions of the CONFICERT certification system are publicly available, and the Brands meet the minimum transparency and credibility requirements, including objective supervision of compliance (through a transparent audit and certification system).
  • Oversight is provided by an independent third party whose competence and independence are guaranteed by international standards (e.g., ISO 17065 for certification bodies).

(2) Green Claims Directive (2023/0085):

  • Sustainability labels (Brands) meet and exceed the minimum requirements for transparency and credibility—this is a core purpose of CONFICERT.
  • Environmental claims and labels are verified and certified by an independent accredited body (the authorized CBs) before they are used in commercial communication, with a certificate of conformity issued when requirements are met, exactly as required by this Directive.

(3) CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive):

  • CONFICERT can serve as a practical mechanism to support compliance with this directive.

Finally, even without formal recognition by authorities at this point, as long as CONFICERT Brands comply with current legislation (which they do) and are valued by consumers, companies, and society, they can be used to strengthen trust and transparency in the marketplace.

Request your Water Friendly certification

FOR MORE CERTIFICATION INFO, CONTACT US:

Water Friendly®

A reliable certification for the commitment to the efficient and responsible use of water

WHAT IS WATER FRIENDLY?

Water Friendly applies to organizations committed to sustainable and responsible water management. It defines clear standards for continuous improvement in water savings, reuse, and consumption control, enabling stakeholders to identify organizations that integrate water sustainability, transparency, and environmental responsibility into their operations.

What this certification means

A VERIFIED STANDARD THAT ENSURES ORGANIZATIONS OPERATE WITH SUSTAINABLE, RESPONSIBLE, AND WATER-SMART PRACTICES.

The organization will be certified under the Water Friendly standard, which ensures:

WHO CAN GET CERTIFIED

Applicable to organizations committed to sustainable and responsible water management.

The operator must meet the following requirements:

Water Management Records

Operators must keep records or demonstrate capacity to measure and compare efficiency per cycle or base year.

Trained management

At least one management team member must complete CONFICERT Water Friendly training online.

Internal audit completed

Operators must carry out a complete internal audit covering all Brand requirements prior to certification.

Certification Options:

Individual operator

Certification issued to one legal entity operating at a single location under a clearly defined scope.

multisite operator

Certification covering multiple locations under one legal entity, requiring centralized management.

Group of Operators

Parent organization manages certification covering multiple legally independent operators.

ADVANTAGES OF BEING CERTIFIED

By obtaining Water Friendly certification, organizations unlock multiple benefits for their business, brand, and consumers.

STRATEGIC POSITIONING

Positions organization as responsible actor in markets.

Reputation Enhancement

Strengthens image through genuine sustainability commitment.

Strategic Water Integration

Embeds sustainable water management into core strategy.

Regulatory Compliance

Demonstrates compliance and reduces regulatory legal risks.

Improved Operational Efficiency

Identify water efficiency improvements reducing costs and risks.

Protection Against Greenwashing

Guarantee authenticity and avoid misleading ESGclaims.

LEARN WHAT’S BEHIND THE WATER FRIENDLY LABEL

Why Water Friendly Matters

Discover how the Water Friendly brand provides a rigorous and verifiable framework that promotes responsible and sustainable water management across all sectors. Designed as a global reference, it supports organizations in meeting legal and regulatory requirements while recognizing water as a public good and a limited resource that must be protected in terms of both quantity and quality. Through clear technical criteria aligned with international standards, Water Friendly enables entities to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development, transparency, and continuous improvement in water stewardship.

By choosing Water Friendly certified organizations, stakeholders gain confidence in a system that strengthens regulatory compliance and enhances environmental performance. The certification encourages efficient use, monitoring, reuse, and responsible management of water resources, contributing to global sustainability goals and reinforcing trust among consumers, partners, and investors. As a harmonized international certification brand, Water Friendly helps organizations integrate sustainability into their strategy and stand out in an increasingly responsible  marketplace.

REQUIREMENTS MAP FOR WATER FRIENDLY BRAND

Our Commitment to Transparency

Empowering conscious choices through clear, verified information

At CONFICERT, we believe that trust begins with transparency. That’s why we go beyond traditional certifications — offering consumers direct access to clear, verifiable information about what lies behind every label. Through independent audits, rigorous standards, and digital verification tools like our Transparency Portal, we empower consumers to make informed, conscious choices with confidence.

FREQUENCY ASKED QUESTIONS

At this initial stage, our Brands are not accredited by Accreditation Bodies (such as ENAC), as they require a preliminary implementation period to demonstrate proper operation and market acceptance.

However, CONFICERT Brands are fully accreditable. Once their performance is consolidated, and whenever the scheme requires it, the process for formal accreditation can begin. From the outset, CONFICERT has considered this possibility and maintains an open, continuous-improvement approach.

Additionally, the integrity of the system, common to all Brands, is managed centrally through the Integrity Surveillance Program. A summarized description of the program is available on the CONFICERT website, and the full document can be requested if desired.

It is also important to highlight that all certification bodies within CONFICERT are accredited (in the case of Spanish bodies, by ENAC) and conduct their activities primarily based on accredited schemes, a system we fully trust and believe in.

The certification processes for CONFICERT Brands can only be carried out by Certification Bodies (CBs) that meet one of the following conditions:

✔️ Hold an active membership in CONFICERT (platinum, gold, or silver), or

✔️ Are considered collaborators.

In both cases, CBs must demonstrate prior compliance with the requirements established for each Brand (accreditations, staff training, experience, etc.) and successfully complete the authorization process to be able to certify them. It is important to note that members cannot directly certify CONFICERT Brand simply as part of their membership.

The authorization process is defined in the association’s internal procedures, and its compliance and performance are monitored under the Integrity Surveillance Program, ensuring transparency and reliability of the system.

Certified operators sign licensing agreements, provide data for the Transparency Portal, follow the CONFICERT Trademark and Logo Use Manual,. Furthermore, use of the trademark is subject to the Integrity Surveillance Program and ongoing monitoring by CONFICERT. For more info about our Integrity Surveillance Program, click here.

Yes, we have already started conversations with several associations and companies from different sectors. We believe that our initiative represents an excellent opportunity for both to promote transparency as a way to empower consumers, enhance competitiveness, differentiate companies, and effectively communicate their messages to society.

In any case, it is important to note that even if distributors or authorities do not require a specific label, as long as the labels comply with the law (as CONFICERT’s do), we are confident that a significant portion of consumers will prefer products or services carrying a CONFICERT Brand. When given the choice between a product certified with a label whose meaning they cannot fully understand and a product whose label provides clear, comprehensible, and transparent information about what it represents and why the product or service carries it, consumers are likely to choose the latter.

At this stage, we have not yet had the opportunity to present the initiative to public administrations. However, we aim to engage with them to explore how CONFICERT can support their objectives. We believe our initiative is an excellent tool for administrations committed to transparency, helping to address existing gaps, empower consumers, improve competitiveness and differentiation for companies, and effectively communicate their messages to society.

Regarding regulatory alignment, we are fully convinced that the CONFICERT system complies with the new European and national regulations related to consumer empowerment for the ecological transition and environmental claims, including:

1. Directive (EU) 2024/825 – Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (Anti-Greenwashing Directive),

2. Directive (EU) 2023/0085 (COD) – Substantiation and Communication of Explicit Environmental Claims (Green Claims Directive),

3. Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD, 2023) and related sustainability systems.

We have already submitted several inquiries to both the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the European Commission, although we have not yet received a response.

NOTE: CONFICERT believes not only that it fully complies with this legislation, but also that it is fully aligned with it and can serve as a valuable tool for its implementation, for reasons including:

(1) Anti-Greenwashing Directive (EU) 2024/825:

  • The CONFICERT system is based on a certification scheme that should be included in Annex I of Directive 2005/29/EC.
  • The conditions of the CONFICERT certification system are publicly available, and the Brands meet the minimum transparency and credibility requirements, including objective supervision of compliance (through a transparent audit and certification system).
  • Oversight is provided by an independent third party whose competence and independence are guaranteed by international standards (e.g., ISO 17065 for certification bodies).

(2) Green Claims Directive (2023/0085):

  • Sustainability labels (Brands) meet and exceed the minimum requirements for transparency and credibility—this is a core purpose of CONFICERT.
  • Environmental claims and labels are verified and certified by an independent accredited body (the authorized CBs) before they are used in commercial communication, with a certificate of conformity issued when requirements are met, exactly as required by this Directive.

(3) CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive):

  • CONFICERT can serve as a practical mechanism to support compliance with this directive.

Finally, even without formal recognition by authorities at this point, as long as CONFICERT Brands comply with current legislation (which they do) and are valued by consumers, companies, and society, they can be used to strengthen trust and transparency in the marketplace.

Request your Water Friendly certification

FOR MORE CERTIFICATION INFO, CONTACT US:

Water Friendly®

A reliable certification for the commitment to the efficient and responsible use of water

WHAT IS WATER FRIENDLY?

Water Friendly applies to organizations committed to sustainable and responsible water management. It defines clear standards for continuous improvement in water savings, reuse, and consumption control, enabling stakeholders to identify organizations that integrate water sustainability, transparency, and environmental responsibility into their operations.

What this certification means

A VERIFIED STANDARD THAT ENSURES ORGANIZATIONS OPERATE WITH SUSTAINABLE, RESPONSIBLE, AND WATER-SMART PRACTICES.

The organization will be certified under the Water Friendly standard, which ensures:

WHO CAN GET CERTIFIED

Applicable to organizations committed to sustainable and responsible water management.

The operator must meet the following requirements:

Water Management Records

Operators must keep records or demonstrate capacity to measure and compare efficiency per cycle or base year.

Trained management

At least one management team member must complete CONFICERT Water Friendly training online.

Internal audit completed

Operators must carry out a complete internal audit covering all Brand requirements prior to certification.

Certification Options:

Individual operator

Certification issued to one legal entity operating at a single location under a clearly defined scope.

multisite operator

Certification covering multiple locations under one legal entity, requiring centralized management.

Group of Operators

Parent organization manages certification covering multiple legally independent operators.

ADVANTAGES OF BEING CERTIFIED

By obtaining Water Friendly certification, organizations unlock multiple benefits for their business, brand, and consumers.

STRATEGIC POSITIONING

Positions organization as responsible actor in markets.

Reputation Enhancement

Strengthens image through genuine sustainability commitment.

Strategic Water Integration

Embeds sustainable water management into core strategy.

Regulatory Compliance

Demonstrates compliance and reduces regulatory legal risks.

Improved Operational Efficiency

Identify water efficiency improvements reducing costs and risks.

Protection Against Greenwashing

Guarantee authenticity and avoid misleading ESG claims.

LEARN WHAT’S BEHIND THE WATER FRIENDLY LABEL

Why Water Friendly Matters

Discover how the Water Friendly brand provides a rigorous and verifiable framework that promotes responsible and sustainable water management across all sectors. Designed as a global reference, it supports organizations in meeting legal and regulatory requirements while recognizing water as a public good and a limited resource that must be protected in terms of both quantity and quality. Through clear technical criteria aligned with international standards, Water Friendly enables entities to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development, transparency, and continuous improvement in water stewardship.

By choosing Water Friendly certified organizations, stakeholders gain confidence in a system that strengthens regulatory compliance and enhances environmental performance. The certification encourages efficient use, monitoring, reuse, and responsible management of water resources, contributing to global sustainability goals and reinforcing trust among consumers, partners, and investors. As a harmonized international certification brand, Water Friendly helps organizations integrate sustainability into their strategy and stand out in an increasingly responsible  marketplace.

REQUIREMENTS MAP FOR WATER FRIENDLY BRAND

Our Commitment to Transparency

Empowering conscious choices through clear, verified information

At CONFICERT, we believe that trust begins with transparency. That’s why we go beyond traditional certifications — offering consumers direct access to clear, verifiable information about what lies behind every label. Through independent audits, rigorous standards, and digital verification tools like our Transparency Portal, we empower consumers to make informed, conscious choices with confidence.

FREQUENCY ASKED QUESTIONS

At this initial stage, our Brands are not accredited by Accreditation Bodies (such as ENAC), as they require a preliminary implementation period to demonstrate proper operation and market acceptance.

However, CONFICERT Brands are fully accreditable. Once their performance is consolidated, and whenever the scheme requires it, the process for formal accreditation can begin. From the outset, CONFICERT has considered this possibility and maintains an open, continuous-improvement approach.

Additionally, the integrity of the system, common to all Brands, is managed centrally through the Integrity Surveillance Program. A summarized description of the program is available on the CONFICERT website, and the full document can be requested if desired.

It is also important to highlight that all certification bodies within CONFICERT are accredited (in the case of Spanish bodies, by ENAC) and conduct their activities primarily based on accredited schemes, a system we fully trust and believe in.

The certification processes for CONFICERT Brands can only be carried out by Certification Bodies (CBs) that meet one of the following conditions:

✔️ Hold an active membership in CONFICERT (platinum, gold, or silver), or

✔️ Are considered collaborators.

In both cases, CBs must demonstrate prior compliance with the requirements established for each Brand (accreditations, staff training, experience, etc.) and successfully complete the authorization process to be able to certify them. It is important to note that members cannot directly certify CONFICERT Brand simply as part of their membership.

The authorization process is defined in the association’s internal procedures, and its compliance and performance are monitored under the Integrity Surveillance Program, ensuring transparency and reliability of the system.

Certified operators sign licensing agreements, provide data for the Transparency Portal, follow the CONFICERT Trademark and Logo Use Manual,. Furthermore, use of the trademark is subject to the Integrity Surveillance Program and ongoing monitoring by CONFICERT. For more info about our Integrity Surveillance Program, click here.

Yes, we have already started conversations with several associations and companies from different sectors. We believe that our initiative represents an excellent opportunity for both to promote transparency as a way to empower consumers, enhance competitiveness, differentiate companies, and effectively communicate their messages to society.

In any case, it is important to note that even if distributors or authorities do not require a specific label, as long as the labels comply with the law (as CONFICERT’s do), we are confident that a significant portion of consumers will prefer products or services carrying a CONFICERT Brand. When given the choice between a product certified with a label whose meaning they cannot fully understand and a product whose label provides clear, comprehensible, and transparent information about what it represents and why the product or service carries it, consumers are likely to choose the latter.

At this stage, we have not yet had the opportunity to present the initiative to public administrations. However, we aim to engage with them to explore how CONFICERT can support their objectives. We believe our initiative is an excellent tool for administrations committed to transparency, helping to address existing gaps, empower consumers, improve competitiveness and differentiation for companies, and effectively communicate their messages to society.

Regarding regulatory alignment, we are fully convinced that the CONFICERT system complies with the new European and national regulations related to consumer empowerment for the ecological transition and environmental claims, including:

1. Directive (EU) 2024/825 – Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (Anti-Greenwashing Directive),

2. Directive (EU) 2023/0085 (COD) – Substantiation and Communication of Explicit Environmental Claims (Green Claims Directive),

3. Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD, 2023) and related sustainability systems.

We have already submitted several inquiries to both the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the European Commission, although we have not yet received a response.

NOTE: CONFICERT believes not only that it fully complies with this legislation, but also that it is fully aligned with it and can serve as a valuable tool for its implementation, for reasons including:

(1) Anti-Greenwashing Directive (EU) 2024/825:

  • The CONFICERT system is based on a certification scheme that should be included in Annex I of Directive 2005/29/EC.
  • The conditions of the CONFICERT certification system are publicly available, and the Brands meet the minimum transparency and credibility requirements, including objective supervision of compliance (through a transparent audit and certification system).
  • Oversight is provided by an independent third party whose competence and independence are guaranteed by international standards (e.g., ISO 17065 for certification bodies).

(2) Green Claims Directive (2023/0085):

  • Sustainability labels (Brands) meet and exceed the minimum requirements for transparency and credibility—this is a core purpose of CONFICERT.
  • Environmental claims and labels are verified and certified by an independent accredited body (the authorized CBs) before they are used in commercial communication, with a certificate of conformity issued when requirements are met, exactly as required by this Directive.

(3) CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive):

  • CONFICERT can serve as a practical mechanism to support compliance with this directive.

Finally, even without formal recognition by authorities at this point, as long as CONFICERT Brands comply with current legislation (which they do) and are valued by consumers, companies, and society, they can be used to strengthen trust and transparency in the marketplace.

Request your Water Friendly certification

FOR MORE CERTIFICATION INFO, CONTACT US: