diff --git a/cmd/kube-controller-manager/app/BUILD b/cmd/kube-controller-manager/app/BUILD
index 0070c5c4603..e1ac4f3b5a7 100644
--- a/cmd/kube-controller-manager/app/BUILD
+++ b/cmd/kube-controller-manager/app/BUILD
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ go_library(
         "//pkg/volume/util:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/volume/vsphere_volume:go_default_library",
         "//staging/src/k8s.io/api/core/v1:go_default_library",
+        "//staging/src/k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1:go_default_library",
         "//staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime/schema:go_default_library",
         "//staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/runtime:go_default_library",
         "//staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/sets:go_default_library",
diff --git a/cmd/kube-controller-manager/app/discovery.go b/cmd/kube-controller-manager/app/discovery.go
index c4b0ef5c5a6..7570ea7dde0 100644
--- a/cmd/kube-controller-manager/app/discovery.go
+++ b/cmd/kube-controller-manager/app/discovery.go
@@ -23,12 +23,14 @@ package app
 import (
 	"net/http"
 
-	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime/schema"
+	discoveryv1alpha1 "k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1"
+	"k8s.io/klog"
 	endpointslicecontroller "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/controller/endpointslice"
 )
 
 func startEndpointSliceController(ctx ControllerContext) (http.Handler, bool, error) {
-	if !ctx.AvailableResources[schema.GroupVersionResource{Group: "discovery", Version: "v1alpha1", Resource: "endpointslices"}] {
+	if !ctx.AvailableResources[discoveryv1alpha1.SchemeGroupVersion.WithResource("endpointslices")] {
+		klog.Warningf("Not starting endpointslice-controller, discovery.k8s.io/v1alpha1 resources are not available")
 		return nil, false, nil
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/apis/discovery/validation/validation.go b/pkg/apis/discovery/validation/validation.go
index 50695f68263..329e4e2f82b 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/discovery/validation/validation.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/discovery/validation/validation.go
@@ -36,10 +36,14 @@ var (
 	maxEndpoints           = 1000
 )
 
+// ValidateEndpointSliceName can be used to check whether the given endpoint
+// slice name is valid. Prefix indicates this name will be used as part of
+// generation, in which case trailing dashes are allowed.
+var ValidateEndpointSliceName = apimachineryvalidation.NameIsDNSSubdomain
+
 // ValidateEndpointSlice validates an EndpointSlice.
 func ValidateEndpointSlice(endpointSlice *discovery.EndpointSlice) field.ErrorList {
-	validateEndpointSliceName := apimachineryvalidation.NameIsDNSSubdomain
-	allErrs := apivalidation.ValidateObjectMeta(&endpointSlice.ObjectMeta, true, validateEndpointSliceName, field.NewPath("metadata"))
+	allErrs := apivalidation.ValidateObjectMeta(&endpointSlice.ObjectMeta, true, ValidateEndpointSliceName, field.NewPath("metadata"))
 
 	addrType := discovery.AddressType("")
 	if endpointSlice.AddressType == nil {
diff --git a/pkg/controller/.import-restrictions b/pkg/controller/.import-restrictions
index 9c1d574230b..896a720510c 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/.import-restrictions
+++ b/pkg/controller/.import-restrictions
@@ -188,6 +188,8 @@
         "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/core/v1",
         "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/core/v1/helper",
         "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/core/validation",
+        "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/discovery",
+        "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/discovery/validation",
         "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/cloudprovider",
         "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/cloudprovider/providers/gce",
         "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/controller",
diff --git a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/BUILD b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/BUILD
index 5d10cc8ab19..16ea4d62af8 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/BUILD
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ go_library(
     deps = [
         "//pkg/api/v1/pod:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/apis/core:go_default_library",
+        "//pkg/apis/discovery/validation:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/controller:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/controller/util/endpoint:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/util/hash:go_default_library",
diff --git a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/endpointslice_controller.go b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/endpointslice_controller.go
index d5fef2e1154..e956530dcd3 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/endpointslice_controller.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/endpointslice_controller.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	v1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
+	discovery "k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1"
 	apierrors "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/errors"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/labels"
 	utilruntime "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/runtime"
@@ -42,10 +43,6 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	// serviceNameLabel is used to indicate the name of a Kubernetes service
-	// associated with an EndpointSlice.
-	serviceNameLabel = "kubernetes.io/service-name"
-
 	// maxRetries is the number of times a service will be retried before it is
 	// dropped out of the queue. Any sync error, such as a failure to create or
 	// update an EndpointSlice could trigger a retry. With the current
@@ -276,7 +273,7 @@ func (c *Controller) syncService(key string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	esLabelSelector := labels.Set(map[string]string{serviceNameLabel: service.Name}).AsSelectorPreValidated()
+	esLabelSelector := labels.Set(map[string]string{discovery.LabelServiceName: service.Name}).AsSelectorPreValidated()
 	endpointSlices, err := c.endpointSliceLister.EndpointSlices(service.Namespace).List(esLabelSelector)
 
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/endpointslice_controller_test.go b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/endpointslice_controller_test.go
index 15524eea21f..e8047b625a3 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/endpointslice_controller_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/endpointslice_controller_test.go
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ func TestSyncServiceWithSelector(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Len(t, sliceList.Items, 1, "Expected 1 endpoint slices")
 	slice := sliceList.Items[0]
 	assert.Regexp(t, "^"+serviceName, slice.Name)
-	assert.Equal(t, serviceName, slice.Labels[serviceNameLabel])
+	assert.Equal(t, serviceName, slice.Labels[discovery.LabelServiceName])
 	assert.EqualValues(t, []discovery.EndpointPort{}, slice.Ports)
 	assert.EqualValues(t, []discovery.Endpoint{}, slice.Endpoints)
 	assert.NotEmpty(t, slice.Annotations["endpoints.kubernetes.io/last-change-trigger-time"])
@@ -189,11 +189,11 @@ func TestSyncServiceEndpointSliceSelection(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// 3 slices, 2 with matching labels for our service
 	endpointSlices := []*discovery.EndpointSlice{{
-		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "matching-1", Namespace: ns, Labels: map[string]string{serviceNameLabel: serviceName}},
+		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "matching-1", Namespace: ns, Labels: map[string]string{discovery.LabelServiceName: serviceName}},
 	}, {
-		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "matching-2", Namespace: ns, Labels: map[string]string{serviceNameLabel: serviceName}},
+		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "matching-2", Namespace: ns, Labels: map[string]string{discovery.LabelServiceName: serviceName}},
 	}, {
-		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "not-matching-1", Namespace: ns, Labels: map[string]string{serviceNameLabel: "something-else"}},
+		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "not-matching-1", Namespace: ns, Labels: map[string]string{discovery.LabelServiceName: "something-else"}},
 	}}
 
 	// need to add them to both store and fake clientset
diff --git a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/reconciler_test.go b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/reconciler_test.go
index dea28337a3b..031f18b0bbd 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/reconciler_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/reconciler_test.go
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 
 	corev1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
-	v1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
 	discovery "k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1"
 	apiequality "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/equality"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
@@ -52,7 +51,7 @@ func TestReconcileEmpty(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Len(t, slices, 1, "Expected 1 endpoint slices")
 
 	assert.Regexp(t, "^"+svc.Name, slices[0].Name)
-	assert.Equal(t, svc.Name, slices[0].Labels[serviceNameLabel])
+	assert.Equal(t, svc.Name, slices[0].Labels[discovery.LabelServiceName])
 	assert.EqualValues(t, []discovery.EndpointPort{}, slices[0].Ports)
 	assert.EqualValues(t, []discovery.Endpoint{}, slices[0].Endpoints)
 }
@@ -83,7 +82,7 @@ func TestReconcile1Pod(t *testing.T) {
 	slices := fetchEndpointSlices(t, client, namespace)
 	assert.Len(t, slices, 1, "Expected 1 endpoint slices")
 	assert.Regexp(t, "^"+svc.Name, slices[0].Name)
-	assert.Equal(t, svc.Name, slices[0].Labels[serviceNameLabel])
+	assert.Equal(t, svc.Name, slices[0].Labels[discovery.LabelServiceName])
 	assert.Equal(t, slices[0].Annotations, map[string]string{
 		"endpoints.kubernetes.io/last-change-trigger-time": triggerTime.Format(time.RFC3339Nano),
 	})
@@ -125,7 +124,7 @@ func TestReconcile1EndpointSlice(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Len(t, slices, 1, "Expected 1 endpoint slices")
 
 	assert.Regexp(t, "^"+svc.Name, slices[0].Name)
-	assert.Equal(t, svc.Name, slices[0].Labels[serviceNameLabel])
+	assert.Equal(t, svc.Name, slices[0].Labels[discovery.LabelServiceName])
 	assert.EqualValues(t, []discovery.EndpointPort{}, slices[0].Ports)
 	assert.EqualValues(t, []discovery.Endpoint{}, slices[0].Endpoints)
 }
@@ -362,9 +361,9 @@ func TestReconcileEndpointSlicesUpdatePacking(t *testing.T) {
 	// ensure that endpoints in each slice will be marked for update.
 	for i, pod := range pods {
 		if i%10 == 0 {
-			pod.Status.Conditions = []v1.PodCondition{{
-				Type:   v1.PodReady,
-				Status: v1.ConditionFalse,
+			pod.Status.Conditions = []corev1.PodCondition{{
+				Type:   corev1.PodReady,
+				Status: corev1.ConditionFalse,
 			}}
 		}
 	}
@@ -397,10 +396,10 @@ func TestReconcileEndpointSlicesNamedPorts(t *testing.T) {
 
 	svc := corev1.Service{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: "named-port-example", Namespace: namespace},
-		Spec: v1.ServiceSpec{
-			Ports: []v1.ServicePort{{
+		Spec: corev1.ServiceSpec{
+			Ports: []corev1.ServicePort{{
 				TargetPort: portNameIntStr,
-				Protocol:   v1.ProtocolTCP,
+				Protocol:   corev1.ProtocolTCP,
 			}},
 			Selector: map[string]string{"foo": "bar"},
 		},
@@ -412,10 +411,10 @@ func TestReconcileEndpointSlicesNamedPorts(t *testing.T) {
 		ready := !(i%3 == 0)
 		portOffset := i % 5
 		pod := newPod(i, namespace, ready, 1)
-		pod.Spec.Containers[0].Ports = []v1.ContainerPort{{
+		pod.Spec.Containers[0].Ports = []corev1.ContainerPort{{
 			Name:          portNameIntStr.StrVal,
 			ContainerPort: int32(8080 + portOffset),
-			Protocol:      v1.ProtocolTCP,
+			Protocol:      corev1.ProtocolTCP,
 		}}
 		pods = append(pods, pod)
 	}
@@ -433,7 +432,7 @@ func TestReconcileEndpointSlicesNamedPorts(t *testing.T) {
 	expectUnorderedSlicesWithLengths(t, fetchedSlices, []int{60, 60, 60, 60, 60})
 
 	// generate data structures for expected slice ports and address types
-	protoTCP := v1.ProtocolTCP
+	protoTCP := corev1.ProtocolTCP
 	ipAddressType := discovery.AddressTypeIP
 	expectedSlices := []discovery.EndpointSlice{}
 	for i := range fetchedSlices {
diff --git a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/utils.go b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/utils.go
index ff093d78e64..7de30bd2260 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/utils.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/utils.go
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/klog"
 	podutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/v1/pod"
 	api "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/core"
+	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/discovery/validation"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/util/hash"
 )
 
@@ -158,8 +159,8 @@ func newEndpointSlice(service *corev1.Service, endpointMeta *endpointMeta) *disc
 	ownerRef := metav1.NewControllerRef(service, gvk)
 	return &discovery.EndpointSlice{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-			Labels:          map[string]string{serviceNameLabel: service.Name},
-			GenerateName:    fmt.Sprintf("%s.", service.Name),
+			Labels:          map[string]string{discovery.LabelServiceName: service.Name},
+			GenerateName:    getEndpointSlicePrefix(service.Name),
 			OwnerReferences: []metav1.OwnerReference{*ownerRef},
 			Namespace:       service.Namespace,
 		},
@@ -169,6 +170,16 @@ func newEndpointSlice(service *corev1.Service, endpointMeta *endpointMeta) *disc
 	}
 }
 
+// getEndpointSlicePrefix returns a suitable prefix for an EndpointSlice name.
+func getEndpointSlicePrefix(serviceName string) string {
+	// use the dash (if the name isn't too long) to make the pod name a bit prettier
+	prefix := fmt.Sprintf("%s-", serviceName)
+	if len(validation.ValidateEndpointSliceName(prefix, true)) != 0 {
+		prefix = serviceName
+	}
+	return prefix
+}
+
 // boolPtrChanged returns true if a set of bool pointers have different values.
 func boolPtrChanged(ptr1, ptr2 *bool) bool {
 	if (ptr1 == nil) != (ptr2 == nil) {
diff --git a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/utils_test.go b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/utils_test.go
index c14269b833e..da482f77d9d 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/endpointslice/utils_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/endpointslice/utils_test.go
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-	corev1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
 	v1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
 	discovery "k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
@@ -58,8 +57,8 @@ func TestNewEndpointSlice(t *testing.T) {
 
 	expectedSlice := discovery.EndpointSlice{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-			Labels:          map[string]string{serviceNameLabel: service.Name},
-			GenerateName:    fmt.Sprintf("%s.", service.Name),
+			Labels:          map[string]string{discovery.LabelServiceName: service.Name},
+			GenerateName:    fmt.Sprintf("%s-", service.Name),
 			OwnerReferences: []metav1.OwnerReference{*ownerRef},
 			Namespace:       service.Namespace,
 		},
@@ -81,7 +80,7 @@ func TestPodToEndpoint(t *testing.T) {
 
 	multiIPPod.Status.PodIPs = []v1.PodIP{{IP: "1.2.3.4"}, {IP: "1234::5678:0000:0000:9abc:def0"}}
 
-	node1 := &corev1.Node{
+	node1 := &v1.Node{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 			Name: readyPod.Spec.NodeName,
 			Labels: map[string]string{
@@ -288,14 +287,14 @@ func newClientset() *fake.Clientset {
 	return client
 }
 
-func newServiceAndendpointMeta(name, namespace string) (corev1.Service, endpointMeta) {
+func newServiceAndendpointMeta(name, namespace string) (v1.Service, endpointMeta) {
 	portNum := int32(80)
 	portNameIntStr := intstr.IntOrString{
 		Type:   intstr.Int,
 		IntVal: portNum,
 	}
 
-	svc := corev1.Service{
+	svc := v1.Service{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{Name: name, Namespace: namespace},
 		Spec: v1.ServiceSpec{
 			Ports: []v1.ServicePort{{
@@ -317,7 +316,7 @@ func newServiceAndendpointMeta(name, namespace string) (corev1.Service, endpoint
 	return svc, endpointMeta
 }
 
-func newEmptyEndpointSlice(n int, namespace string, endpointMeta endpointMeta, svc corev1.Service) *discovery.EndpointSlice {
+func newEmptyEndpointSlice(n int, namespace string, endpointMeta endpointMeta, svc v1.Service) *discovery.EndpointSlice {
 	return &discovery.EndpointSlice{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 			Name:      fmt.Sprintf("%s.%d", svc.Name, n),
diff --git a/pkg/master/reconcilers/endpointsadapter.go b/pkg/master/reconcilers/endpointsadapter.go
index 5eee2fca15c..19fb7afb4e7 100644
--- a/pkg/master/reconcilers/endpointsadapter.go
+++ b/pkg/master/reconcilers/endpointsadapter.go
@@ -25,12 +25,6 @@ import (
 	discoveryclient "k8s.io/client-go/kubernetes/typed/discovery/v1alpha1"
 )
 
-const (
-	// serviceNameLabel is used to indicate the name of a Kubernetes service
-	// associated with an EndpointSlice.
-	serviceNameLabel = "kubernetes.io/service-name"
-)
-
 // EndpointsAdapter provides a simple interface for reading and writing both
 // Endpoints and Endpoint Slices.
 // NOTE: This is an incomplete adapter implementation that is only suitable for
@@ -103,8 +97,7 @@ func (adapter *EndpointsAdapter) ensureEndpointSliceFromEndpoints(namespace stri
 func endpointSliceFromEndpoints(endpoints *corev1.Endpoints) *discovery.EndpointSlice {
 	endpointSlice := &discovery.EndpointSlice{}
 	endpointSlice.Name = endpoints.Name
-	endpointSlice.Labels = map[string]string{serviceNameLabel: endpoints.Name}
-	endpointSlice.OwnerReferences = []metav1.OwnerReference{{Kind: "Service", Name: endpoints.Name}}
+	endpointSlice.Labels = map[string]string{discovery.LabelServiceName: endpoints.Name}
 
 	ipAddressType := discovery.AddressTypeIP
 	endpointSlice.AddressType = &ipAddressType
diff --git a/pkg/master/reconcilers/endpointsadapter_test.go b/pkg/master/reconcilers/endpointsadapter_test.go
index f751866a962..188dfb63f1a 100644
--- a/pkg/master/reconcilers/endpointsadapter_test.go
+++ b/pkg/master/reconcilers/endpointsadapter_test.go
@@ -294,8 +294,7 @@ func generateEndpointsAndSlice(name, namespace string, ports []int, addresses []
 	addressTypeIP := discovery.AddressTypeIP
 
 	epSlice := &discovery.EndpointSlice{ObjectMeta: objectMeta, AddressType: &addressTypeIP}
-	epSlice.Labels = map[string]string{serviceNameLabel: name}
-	epSlice.OwnerReferences = []metav1.OwnerReference{{Kind: "Service", Name: name}}
+	epSlice.Labels = map[string]string{discovery.LabelServiceName: name}
 	subset := corev1.EndpointSubset{}
 
 	for i, port := range ports {
diff --git a/pkg/proxy/endpoints.go b/pkg/proxy/endpoints.go
index 9bf1bdd4a25..e78f9290875 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/endpoints.go
+++ b/pkg/proxy/endpoints.go
@@ -179,7 +179,11 @@ func (ect *EndpointChangeTracker) EndpointSliceUpdate(endpointSlice *discovery.E
 		return false
 	}
 
-	namespacedName, _ := endpointSliceCacheKeys(endpointSlice)
+	namespacedName, _, err := endpointSliceCacheKeys(endpointSlice)
+	if err != nil {
+		klog.Warningf("Error getting endpoint slice cache keys: %v", err)
+		return false
+	}
 
 	metrics.EndpointChangesTotal.Inc()
 
diff --git a/pkg/proxy/endpointslicecache.go b/pkg/proxy/endpointslicecache.go
index 229b7744424..9b81a647624 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/endpointslicecache.go
+++ b/pkg/proxy/endpointslicecache.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 package proxy
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"sort"
 
 	"k8s.io/api/core/v1"
@@ -79,12 +80,12 @@ func standardEndpointInfo(ep *BaseEndpointInfo) Endpoint {
 
 // Update a slice in the cache.
 func (cache *EndpointSliceCache) Update(endpointSlice *discovery.EndpointSlice) {
-	serviceKey, sliceKey := endpointSliceCacheKeys(endpointSlice)
-	// This should never actually happen
-	if serviceKey.Name == "" || serviceKey.Namespace == "" || sliceKey == "" {
-		klog.Errorf("Invalid endpoint slice, name and owner reference required %v", endpointSlice)
+	serviceKey, sliceKey, err := endpointSliceCacheKeys(endpointSlice)
+	if err != nil {
+		klog.Warningf("Error getting endpoint slice cache keys: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
+
 	esInfo := &endpointSliceInfo{
 		Ports:     endpointSlice.Ports,
 		Endpoints: []*endpointInfo{},
@@ -105,7 +106,11 @@ func (cache *EndpointSliceCache) Update(endpointSlice *discovery.EndpointSlice)
 
 // Delete a slice from the cache.
 func (cache *EndpointSliceCache) Delete(endpointSlice *discovery.EndpointSlice) {
-	serviceKey, sliceKey := endpointSliceCacheKeys(endpointSlice)
+	serviceKey, sliceKey, err := endpointSliceCacheKeys(endpointSlice)
+	if err != nil {
+		klog.Warningf("Error getting endpoint slice cache keys: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
 	delete(cache.sliceByServiceMap[serviceKey], sliceKey)
 }
 
@@ -214,16 +219,15 @@ func formatEndpointsList(endpoints []Endpoint) []string {
 }
 
 // endpointSliceCacheKeys returns cache keys used for a given EndpointSlice.
-func endpointSliceCacheKeys(endpointSlice *discovery.EndpointSlice) (types.NamespacedName, string) {
-	if len(endpointSlice.OwnerReferences) == 0 {
-		klog.Errorf("No owner reference set on endpoint slice: %s", endpointSlice.Name)
-		return types.NamespacedName{}, endpointSlice.Name
+func endpointSliceCacheKeys(endpointSlice *discovery.EndpointSlice) (types.NamespacedName, string, error) {
+	var err error
+	serviceName, ok := endpointSlice.Labels[discovery.LabelServiceName]
+	if !ok || serviceName == "" {
+		err = fmt.Errorf("No %s label set on endpoint slice: %s", discovery.LabelServiceName, endpointSlice.Name)
+	} else if endpointSlice.Namespace == "" || endpointSlice.Name == "" {
+		err = fmt.Errorf("Expected EndpointSlice name and namespace to be set: %v", endpointSlice)
 	}
-	if len(endpointSlice.OwnerReferences) > 1 {
-		klog.Errorf("More than 1 owner reference set on endpoint slice: %s", endpointSlice.Name)
-	}
-	ownerRef := endpointSlice.OwnerReferences[0]
-	return types.NamespacedName{Namespace: endpointSlice.Namespace, Name: ownerRef.Name}, endpointSlice.Name
+	return types.NamespacedName{Namespace: endpointSlice.Namespace, Name: serviceName}, endpointSlice.Name, err
 }
 
 // byIP helps sort endpoints by IP
diff --git a/pkg/proxy/endpointslicecache_test.go b/pkg/proxy/endpointslicecache_test.go
index 450f2d083c4..73dcc683692 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/endpointslicecache_test.go
+++ b/pkg/proxy/endpointslicecache_test.go
@@ -200,9 +200,9 @@ func generateEndpointSliceWithOffset(serviceName, namespace string, sliceNum, of
 	ipAddressType := discovery.AddressTypeIP
 	endpointSlice := &discovery.EndpointSlice{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-			Name:            fmt.Sprintf("%s-%d", serviceName, sliceNum),
-			Namespace:       namespace,
-			OwnerReferences: []metav1.OwnerReference{{Kind: "Service", Name: serviceName}},
+			Name:      fmt.Sprintf("%s-%d", serviceName, sliceNum),
+			Namespace: namespace,
+			Labels:    map[string]string{discovery.LabelServiceName: serviceName},
 		},
 		Ports:       []discovery.EndpointPort{},
 		AddressType: &ipAddressType,
diff --git a/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier.go b/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier.go
index c537d5bfae7..5d0afa016ed 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier.go
+++ b/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier.go
@@ -505,7 +505,11 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) OnServiceDelete(service *v1.Service) {
 func (proxier *Proxier) OnServiceSynced() {
 	proxier.mu.Lock()
 	proxier.servicesSynced = true
-	proxier.setInitialized(proxier.endpointsSynced || proxier.endpointSlicesSynced)
+	if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EndpointSlice) {
+		proxier.setInitialized(proxier.endpointSlicesSynced)
+	} else {
+		proxier.setInitialized(proxier.endpointsSynced)
+	}
 	proxier.mu.Unlock()
 
 	// Sync unconditionally - this is called once per lifetime.
@@ -537,7 +541,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) OnEndpointsDelete(endpoints *v1.Endpoints) {
 func (proxier *Proxier) OnEndpointsSynced() {
 	proxier.mu.Lock()
 	proxier.endpointsSynced = true
-	proxier.setInitialized(proxier.servicesSynced && proxier.endpointsSynced)
+	proxier.setInitialized(proxier.servicesSynced)
 	proxier.mu.Unlock()
 
 	// Sync unconditionally - this is called once per lifetime.
@@ -573,7 +577,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) OnEndpointSliceDelete(endpointSlice *discovery.EndpointS
 func (proxier *Proxier) OnEndpointSlicesSynced() {
 	proxier.mu.Lock()
 	proxier.endpointSlicesSynced = true
-	proxier.setInitialized(proxier.servicesSynced && proxier.endpointSlicesSynced)
+	proxier.setInitialized(proxier.servicesSynced)
 	proxier.mu.Unlock()
 
 	// Sync unconditionally - this is called once per lifetime.
@@ -675,7 +679,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules() {
 	defer proxier.mu.Unlock()
 
 	// don't sync rules till we've received services and endpoints
-	if !proxier.endpointsSynced || !proxier.servicesSynced {
+	if !proxier.isInitialized() {
 		klog.V(2).Info("Not syncing iptables until Services and Endpoints have been received from master")
 		return
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier_test.go b/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier_test.go
index 407461a5ac3..86973ef3fb2 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier_test.go
+++ b/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier_test.go
@@ -390,6 +390,7 @@ func NewFakeProxier(ipt utiliptables.Interface, endpointSlicesEnabled bool) *Pro
 		nodePortAddresses:        make([]string, 0),
 		networkInterfacer:        utilproxytest.NewFakeNetwork(),
 	}
+	p.setInitialized(true)
 	p.syncRunner = async.NewBoundedFrequencyRunner("test-sync-runner", p.syncProxyRules, 0, time.Minute, 1)
 	return p
 }
@@ -2363,9 +2364,9 @@ COMMIT
 	ipAddressType := discovery.AddressTypeIP
 	endpointSlice := &discovery.EndpointSlice{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-			Name:            fmt.Sprintf("%s-1", serviceName),
-			Namespace:       namespaceName,
-			OwnerReferences: []metav1.OwnerReference{{Kind: "Service", Name: serviceName}},
+			Name:      fmt.Sprintf("%s-1", serviceName),
+			Namespace: namespaceName,
+			Labels:    map[string]string{discovery.LabelServiceName: serviceName},
 		},
 		Ports: []discovery.EndpointPort{{
 			Name: utilpointer.StringPtr(""),
diff --git a/pkg/proxy/ipvs/BUILD b/pkg/proxy/ipvs/BUILD
index 0da921e54c6..ff2c1ab0c16 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/ipvs/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/proxy/ipvs/BUILD
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ go_test(
         "//pkg/proxy/ipvs/testing:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/proxy/util:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/proxy/util/testing:go_default_library",
+        "//pkg/util/async:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/util/ipset:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/util/ipset/testing:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/util/iptables:go_default_library",
diff --git a/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier.go b/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier.go
index 1f6ed8e81c5..e58782e4b82 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier.go
+++ b/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier.go
@@ -820,7 +820,11 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) OnServiceDelete(service *v1.Service) {
 func (proxier *Proxier) OnServiceSynced() {
 	proxier.mu.Lock()
 	proxier.servicesSynced = true
-	proxier.setInitialized(proxier.endpointsSynced || proxier.endpointSlicesSynced)
+	if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EndpointSlice) {
+		proxier.setInitialized(proxier.endpointSlicesSynced)
+	} else {
+		proxier.setInitialized(proxier.endpointsSynced)
+	}
 	proxier.mu.Unlock()
 
 	// Sync unconditionally - this is called once per lifetime.
@@ -848,7 +852,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) OnEndpointsDelete(endpoints *v1.Endpoints) {
 func (proxier *Proxier) OnEndpointsSynced() {
 	proxier.mu.Lock()
 	proxier.endpointsSynced = true
-	proxier.setInitialized(proxier.servicesSynced && proxier.endpointsSynced)
+	proxier.setInitialized(proxier.servicesSynced)
 	proxier.mu.Unlock()
 
 	// Sync unconditionally - this is called once per lifetime.
@@ -884,7 +888,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) OnEndpointSliceDelete(endpointSlice *discovery.EndpointS
 func (proxier *Proxier) OnEndpointSlicesSynced() {
 	proxier.mu.Lock()
 	proxier.endpointSlicesSynced = true
-	proxier.setInitialized(proxier.servicesSynced && proxier.endpointSlicesSynced)
+	proxier.setInitialized(proxier.servicesSynced)
 	proxier.mu.Unlock()
 
 	// Sync unconditionally - this is called once per lifetime.
@@ -901,7 +905,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules() {
 	defer proxier.mu.Unlock()
 
 	// don't sync rules till we've received services and endpoints
-	if !proxier.endpointsSynced || !proxier.servicesSynced {
+	if !proxier.isInitialized() {
 		klog.V(2).Info("Not syncing ipvs rules until Services and Endpoints have been received from master")
 		return
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier_test.go b/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier_test.go
index 2d710a257c5..1885cb95d07 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier_test.go
+++ b/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier_test.go
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	v1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ import (
 	netlinktest "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/proxy/ipvs/testing"
 	utilproxy "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/proxy/util"
 	proxyutiltest "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/proxy/util/testing"
+	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/util/async"
 	utilipset "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/util/ipset"
 	ipsettest "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/util/ipset/testing"
 	utiliptables "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/util/iptables"
@@ -134,7 +136,7 @@ func NewFakeProxier(ipt utiliptables.Interface, ipvs utilipvs.Interface, ipset u
 	for _, is := range ipsetInfo {
 		ipsetList[is.name] = NewIPSet(ipset, is.name, is.setType, false, is.comment)
 	}
-	return &Proxier{
+	p := &Proxier{
 		exec:                  fexec,
 		serviceMap:            make(proxy.ServiceMap),
 		serviceChanges:        proxy.NewServiceChangeTracker(newServiceInfo, nil, nil),
@@ -164,6 +166,9 @@ func NewFakeProxier(ipt utiliptables.Interface, ipvs utilipvs.Interface, ipset u
 		networkInterfacer:     proxyutiltest.NewFakeNetwork(),
 		gracefuldeleteManager: NewGracefulTerminationManager(ipvs),
 	}
+	p.setInitialized(true)
+	p.syncRunner = async.NewBoundedFrequencyRunner("test-sync-runner", p.syncProxyRules, 0, time.Minute, 1)
+	return p
 }
 
 func makeNSN(namespace, name string) types.NamespacedName {
@@ -3690,9 +3695,9 @@ func TestEndpointSliceE2E(t *testing.T) {
 	ipAddressType := discovery.AddressTypeIP
 	endpointSlice := &discovery.EndpointSlice{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-			Name:            fmt.Sprintf("%s-1", serviceName),
-			Namespace:       namespaceName,
-			OwnerReferences: []metav1.OwnerReference{{Kind: "Service", Name: serviceName}},
+			Name:      fmt.Sprintf("%s-1", serviceName),
+			Namespace: namespaceName,
+			Labels:    map[string]string{discovery.LabelServiceName: serviceName},
 		},
 		Ports: []discovery.EndpointPort{{
 			Name: utilpointer.StringPtr(""),
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1/BUILD b/staging/src/k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1/BUILD
index cc76727f871..283479e10c0 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1/BUILD
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1/BUILD
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ go_library(
         "register.go",
         "types.go",
         "types_swagger_doc_generated.go",
+        "well_known_labels.go",
         "zz_generated.deepcopy.go",
     ],
     importmap = "k8s.io/kubernetes/vendor/k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1",
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1/well_known_labels.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1/well_known_labels.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..850cd205925
--- /dev/null
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/api/discovery/v1alpha1/well_known_labels.go
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2019 The Kubernetes Authors.
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package v1alpha1
+
+const (
+	// LabelServiceName is used to indicate the name of a Kubernetes service.
+	LabelServiceName = "kubernetes.io/service-name"
+)