Leveraging Your NSF Certification: Now that you've received NSF Certification ... why not leverage the Mark to your advantage.
Q:
What is the NSF Home Product Certification Program™?
A:
The NSF Home Product Certification Program is a new testing and certification program designed to verify the quality, performance and materials safety of home products. NSF has sought input from scientists, engineers, manufacturers, retailers, public health experts, regulators and consumer product safety experts to develop a rigorous set of requirements for each product category. NSF's engineers and toxicologists conduct a product assessment to verify the safety of the materials used to manufacture the product. They will also evaluate the product's durability and design, which includes label reviews and testing to substantiate any performance and marketing claims made by the manufacturer.
As an additional program requirement, NSF International will conduct an audit of the manufacturing facility where the product is made, to verify that the manufacturing process can consistently produce products that meet the program requirements. Upon successful completion of all certification requirements, certified products will then bear the NSF "Certified for Home Use" Mark. Consumers and retailers can be confident that products bearing the NSF Home Product Certification Mark have met these rigorous requirements.
Q:
What makes this different from other product consumer product testing programs?
A:
NSF International has a 66-year history in developing public health standards and certification programs. NSF sought input from key stakeholders, including scientists, engineers, regulators, public health experts, consumer product safety experts, manufacturers and retailers. Recognized by regulatory agencies at the local, state, federal and international levels, the NSF "Certified for Home Use" Certification Mark means that the product complies with all regulatory/standard requirements. Manufacturers now have transparent, retailer-accepted testing protocols which can help eliminate redundant testing and improve their speed-to-market.
Q:
Who pays for the cost of testing? What is the fee structure for testing and certification in the NSF Home Product Certification Program?
A:
NSF is a fee-for-service organization. This means that manufacturers pay fees to cover the costs associated with laboratory testing and certification, as well as project management and listing services. Be sure to request a free, no-obligation cost estimate prior to beginning your certification project.
There is no additional fee for using the NSF Home Product Certification Mark on packaging, in product literature, point-of-purchase materials or website content.
Q:
What other consumer products does NSF test and certify?
A:
NSF has been testing and certifying consumer products for decades. Our programs include residential water-treatment products, beverages/bottled water, toys and nutritional supplements and recreational water/pool products.
Q:
Where can I get more information?
A:
Interested parties are encouraged to attend a one-hour NSF webinar about the program. To see webinar dates and times, visit the NSF Training and Education webpage.
You may also contact NSF by calling (+1) 734-769-8010, 1-800-NSF-MARK (toll-free in the U.S.), or e-mailing homeproducts@nsf.org.