NSF InternationalDrinking Water Product Standards

NSF Drinking Water Product StandardsOn-site Treatment ProductsPoint-of-Use Treatment UnitsPoint-of-Entry Treatment Units

Public Water Supply TreatmentTreatment ChemicalsTreatment Equipment

Water Distribution EquipmentPipes and FittingsValves and MetersFaucets

On-site Drinking Water Treatment Unit Standards

NSF/ANSI Standard 42: Aesthetic Claims.NSF/ANSI Standard 53: Health Claims.NSF/ANSI Standard 58: Reverse Osmosis Systems.NSF/ANSI Standard 44: Residential Ion Exchange Water Softeners.NSF/ANSI Standard 62: Distillation Systems.NSF/ANSI Standard 55: Ultraviolet Disinfection Systems.NSF/ANSI Standard 177: Shower Filters.

Technologies NSF CertifiesCarbonSedimentResinsReverse OsmosisUltravioletDistillationAll other treatment medias

System Types NSF CertifiesPoint-of-Use and Point-of-Entry.Counter-Top Manual Fill.Counter-Top Connected to Sink Faucet.Faucet Mount.Personal Water Bottle.Plumbed-In Under Counter.Plumbed-In Under Counter to Separate Tap.Pour Through Pitcher.

Content of NSF Drinking Water Treatment Unit StandardsMandatory requirements for:Material safety; no contaminants produced by the product.Structural integrity; water tightness.Product literature; accurate consumer information.Options, as selected by the Manufacturer:Demonstration of performance for individual contaminant reduction claims.

Material EvaluationIn depth review of all materials in contact with drinking water by expert toxicologists.Intent: No contaminants being added to the water by the treatment device.Two-part Evaluation:Formulation review to ensure material ingredients are safe (NSF has 45,000 material formulations already on file) .Extraction testing.Aggressive test water with long exposure for optimum consumer protection.

Structural TestingIntent: product will not structurally fail when subjected to use conditions.Testing represents conservative, adverse conditions (high pressure) and life of use (repeat cycling) for optimum consumer protection.Determined based upon product type.Three general tests.Burst pressure test (very high pressure, very short period of time).Hydrostatic pressure test (high pressure, longer period of time).Cyclic test (repeat cycling at pressures much higher than most homes).

Product Literature and LabelingInstallation, operation and maintenance instructions for consumers.Prepared in easy to understand terms.Data plate on the product to show key information.Performance data sheet so consumer is fully informed on the products performance.

Testing for Contaminant Reduction ClaimsManufacturer selects from many options (chemical, microbiological, particulate).Tested with actual contaminated water.Pattern of water flow similar to home use.Two systems tested (duplicate) and both must pass.

Testing for Contaminant Reduction ClaimsConservative Test for optimum consumer protection:Tested at accelerated flows.Tested at higher pressure.Tested with water characteristics that are representative of extreme performance conditions.Tested beyond capacity claims (minimum 120%, up to 200%).Tested at very high contaminant challenge levels.Manufacturer can claim only one capacity, whichever contaminant performs the worst.

Public Water Supply Treatment Standards

Water Treatment ChemicalsNSF/ANSI Standard 60 Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals

Water Treatment Equipment NSF/ANSI Standard 61 Drinking Water System Components

NSF/ANSI Standard 60Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals Health Effects.Developed to ensure treatment chemicals do not add unsafe levels of chemicals or contaminants to drinking water.Sets criteria to evaluate:Chemical is safe at its maximum use level.Contaminants associated with the chemical are below levels that might cause adverse human health effects.

NSF/ANSI Standard 60Certification Requirements:Full formulation disclosureToxicology ReviewDosing 10 x maximum use level in waterAnalyze for residual ingredients and contaminantsEvaluate against allowable concentrationsInspect manufacturing facilities annuallyVerify formulationsCollect samples for testing

NSF/ANSI 61Drinking Water System Components Health Effects

Covers health effects of materials in treatment and distribution equipment.Covers all products with drinking water contact from source water extraction and treatment to plumbing fittings. Does not evaluate product performance.Evaluates the amount of any contaminant added from a product to drinking water against health based criteria.

NSF/ANSI 61Drinking Water System Components Health Effects

Certification Requirements:Full formulation disclosureToxicology ReviewExpose products to various formulated watersAnalyze exposure water for contaminantsEvaluate against allowable concentrationsInspect manufacturing facilities annuallyVerify formulationsCollect samples for testing

Water Distribution ProductsPlumbing and Water Distribution

NSF/ANSI Standard 14 Plastics Piping System Components

NSF/ANSI Standard 61 Drinking Water System Components

NSF/ANSI Standard 14Establishes minimum physical, performance and health effects requirements for plastic piping system components and related materials.Piping and TubingFittings and ValvesAppurtenancesThermoset MaterialsThermoplastic MaterialsJoining MaterialsPlastics Ingredients

Listings of NSF Certified ProductsListings of NSF Certified Products are at: http://www.nsf.org

StandardsNumber of Certified ProductsDrinking Water Treatment Units 5600Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals35700Drinking Water System Components24400Plastic Piping System Components35200

For More InformationUSA

Dave PurkissPhone: +1-734-827-6855Email: purkiss@nsf.orgINDIA

Vaneet GuptaPhone: +91-124-482-0100Email: india@nsf.org