ANSI/NSF Standard

Drinking Water System Components—Health Effects, ANSI/NSF Standard 61, NSF International, Ann Arbor, Mich., 1988. 

Following extensive testing and evaluation, the biocide additive has been approved for food contact by the US organization NSF International. The certification means that the additive meets the requirements of ANSI/NSF Standard 51, covering safety of plastics materials and components developed for contact with food in the USA. The NSF mark can now be featured on products containing the ingredient and in promotional literature and will also encourage manufacturers of food equipment, who already hold NSF approval, to use the additive in their products. 

Affidavit of compliance must be furnished by supplier. Product must also be certified as meeting ANSI/NSF Standard 60. Documentation of this certification must be provided by supplier. The certifying agency (NSF, UL, CSA, or others) will be notified by the Water Department in the event any certified product arrives at the treatment facility and appears to be contaminated. 

Complying with local and international standards (DIN, UNI, UNE, BS, ASTM) regarding mechanical and physical properties to ensure a safe life without unexpected failure and meet hygienic requirements (ANSI, NSF) to avoid health effects. 

ANSI/NSF (1997), Standard 61 - 1997b, Drinking Water System Components — Health Effects, American National Standards Institute. 

International Electrotechnical Commission. lEC 60825-1 (2007) Table of Contents (only) available at http //webstore.iec.ch/webstore/ webstore.nsf/Standards/IEC%2060825-1 openDocument (accessed January 23, 2009). American National Standards Institute. ANSI... 

NSF International (NSF). American National Standards 8. Institute (ANSI). NSF/ANSI Standard 49-2004. Class II (laminar flow) biosafety cabinetry. NSF/ANSI, Ann Arbor, MI, 2008. 

In North America, many manufacturers of valves, meters, faucets and fittings submit their products for certification with respect to lead and selected other metal leaching characteristics under the NSF/ANSI 61 Standard either Section 9 for end point devices (last 1 litre before the consumer), or Section 8 for in-line devices . 

Three most commonly used fluoride chemicals in the United States for fluoridation are sodium fluoride, sodium silicofluoride, and hydrofluosilicic acid. When applied to drinking water, they should meet the AWWA Standard B703-00 and B701-99 and should be NSF/ANSI Standard 60 certified. These sfandards ensure quality of the chemicals and limit the amount of impurities in the chemical, such as heavy metals (lead) (3,14,15). 

NSF, NSF Product and Service Listings, NSF/ANSI Standard 60 Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals-Health Effects, NSF International, www.nsf.org/Cerfified/PwsChemicals/ Listings.asp , June 10, 2004. 

In addition to laws, criteria and systems discussed above, compliance with several standards play an important role in maintaining drinking water quality. These standards provide for development of criteria when none are available from the regulating body. For example, compliance with National Sanitation Foundation International/American National Standards Institute (NSF/ANSI) Standard 61, which addresses the potential for constituents to leach from components of drinking water systems into water moving toward the tap, is required under many state laws and regulations. 

NSF International is a not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization that is known world wide for standards development and product certification. NSF is accredited by ANSI, US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Standard Council of Canada (SCC). Water program standards important to drinking water quality in the United States include the following ... 

NSF/ANSI Standard 60 Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals - Health Effects Standard 60 addresses the potential for adverse health effects to occur because of the use of drinking water treatment chemicals and related impurities. The standard includes a procedure for developing... 

NSF/ANSI Standard 49-2008 sets specifications for the design, performance, and testing of Class II BSCs. BSCs meeting these requirements are labeled with the NSF logo. BSCs should be tested at least annually by a professional certified in BSC testing. There are courses available that provide appropriate training and certification. It is prudent to allow only a certified professional to test your BSC. 

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