Water Product Manufacturers Increase Credibility Through NSF Testing in China
The Global Need for Safe Products and Clean Water
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2.2 billion people globally do not have safely managed drinking water services. The adoption of established industry standards helps to ensure that the components used in water systems comply to internationally accepted and respected standards of water safety. NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 - Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 - Drinking Water Systems Components are globally recognized health effects standards that cover treatment chemicals and components used in the drinking water distribution system, from source to tap. The two standards were first published in 1988 and are a means to test and evaluate products against a rigorous set of health effects criteria. These standards provide assurance that tested products do not leach contaminants into drinking water at levels deemed unsafe for human consumption. Today, the standards are both American National Standards (American National Standards Institute, 1989) and National Standards of Canada (Standards Council of Canada, 2019).
The consensus-based standards are dynamic, which means that new products and technologies can be addressed through applicable updates to them as well as updates to requirements and criteria when the need arises. Overseeing the standards is the Joint Committee, which includes equal parts regulators, users and manufacturers who successfully vote in favor of any modifications. More than 1,400 companies worldwide, with more than 80,000 products certified under NSF/ANSI/CAN 60, trust NSF as their accredited third-party certifier. Over 900 of these products are manufactured in mainland China and Taiwan. Similarly, more than 60,000 products globally are certified by NSF under NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, with more than 17,200 products manufactured in mainland China and Taiwan. Drinking water is critical to human existence, and certified products help ensure safer water for consumption.
Consumers Look for Third-Party Testing
With growing awareness of counterfeit water filters and products in conjunction with water safety and quality, the importance of third-party testing has never been more prominent. This comes as agencies across the globe target counterfeit products and remove them from the market to protect consumers. Products that have met the requirements of third-party certification, which involves multiple steps and requirements, including third-party testing, should display the authorized certification mark on the product itself or product packaging. Additionally, they will be listed on our online listing database. Products with a third-party certification build credibility with consumers because they are backed by an independent third party. Certification also communicates the brand’s concern over consumer safety and satisfaction. This translates to a positive brand perception in addition to more sales.
“Passing NSF’s product testing and certification promotes increased safety within the water industry and higher consumer trust, giving manufacturers a competitive edge,” states Theresa Bellish, Senior Director of Commercial Water at NSF. “A recent independent study conducted on behalf of NSF showed that 75% of consumers would purchase a product with a certification mark over one without, further showing an advantage for certified products.”
Local NSF Testing for Manufacturers Across Asia
Manufacturers in Asia can now access NSF testing services faster than ever before for chemicals and drinking water products with the new testing capabilities of NSF’s Shanghai Testing Co. Ltd. (an NSF company) — enabling manufacturers to contribute to a safer global water solution and illustrate their company’s commitment to human health. NSF also provides manufacturers with the opportunity to access broader consumer markets through testing that supports NSF certification to NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61. NSF testing helps manufacturers prove to consumers that they have credible products and verified product claims.
Source:
World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). 1 in 3 people globally do not have access to safe drinking water – UNICEF, WHO. Retrieved from: www.who.int/news/item/18-06-2019-1-in-3-people-globally-do-not-have-access-to-safe-drinking-water-unicef-who
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