NSF Highlights Emerging Asian Water Safety Standard and EU-MHR Services at KIWW 2026

NSF, a global human health organization, participated in Korea International Water Week (KIWW) 2026, held at EXCO in Daegu from September 9 to 11.

During the event, NSF highlighted the role of water standards in the public and private sectors and provided an update on NSF/KWTC 555, a water safety standard currently under development for Asian markets. NSF also showcased its EU-MHR services at its exhibition booth, demonstrating how it can support Korean water companies seeking to enter the European market.

On the first day of KIWW, Hanjun Kwon, Managing Director, APAC, participated in the Opening Ceremony, Reception and Luncheon hosted by Daegu Metropolitan City. NSF and KWTC also met with PBA and PBA Resources from Malaysia and Balibago Waterworks and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewage System (MWSS) from the Philippines to introduce NSF/KWTC 555.

During the public-sector session of the World Water Cities Forum 2026 on September 10, David Nance, Senior Manager, Water at NSF, delivered a presentation titled “NSF Water Standards: A Bridge Between Public and Private Sectors.” He explained that water standards provide a common foundation that enables public institutions and private companies to verify the safety of products and systems against consistent criteria.

“Water industry standardization must establish internationally consistent criteria while also reflecting the water quality characteristics, industry conditions and policy objectives of each region,” Nance emphasized.

Also on September 10, Jinhee Kim, Senior Manager, NSF APAC, spoke at the “From Certification to Market: Water Technology Pathways to Global Access” seminar hosted by the Korea Institute for Water Technology Certification (KWTC). Her presentation, titled “From Standards to Impact: Advancing Public Health with NSF/KWTC 555,” covered the background and scope of the standard and its potential applications for Korean water companies seeking to enter Southeast Asian markets.

NSF/KWTC 555: Material Safety for Drinking Water Contact Materials is a new standard currently being developed jointly by NSF and the Korea Water Technology Certification Institute (KWTC).

The standard covers drinking water system components, including pipes and fittings, water storage tanks, elastomers, valves, meters and other mechanical devices, activated carbon and faucets. It evaluates the leaching of chemical contaminants from products and materials into drinking water against health effects criteria based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and NSF 600 criteria.

Its testing and evaluation framework draws on US and Asian standards and is tailored to the characteristics of Asian markets. A key feature of the standard is its focus on assessing the potential health effects of materials that come into contact with drinking water, rather than evaluating product performance or effects on taste and odor.

NSF and KWTC held an in-person external review panel in Seoul from July 21 to 22. The meeting brought together representatives from water management authorities and testing and certification organizations in key markets, including Malaysia and Singapore. Following additional stakeholder feedback and final approval procedures, NSF/KWTC 555 is scheduled to be officially launched in December 2026.

Meanwhile, at its booth in the KIWW 2026 exhibition area, NSF introduced its EU-MHR services and explained how it can support Korean companies preparing for changes to European drinking water regulations.

The EU Minimum Hygiene Requirements (EU-MHR), established under the recast EU Drinking Water Directive (DWD), creates a harmonized regulatory framework for products and materials that come into contact with drinking water. The requirements, which take effect on January 1, 2027, are intended to apply consistent hygiene and safety criteria across the EU.

As part of its EU-MHR services, NSF offers EU-MHR Pre-Assessment Services, including technical reviews of product formulations and ingredients, testing under EU-MHR conditions and evaluations of production facilities and quality systems. These services help companies assess their readiness and identify potential compliance gaps before proceeding with formal EU-MHR conformity assessment.

NSF also provides pre-product evaluation and certification under NSF Protocol 534. The protocol covers formulations, pre-products, intermediate products, constituent products and site-applied products. By combining EU-MHR pre-assessment support with NSF Protocol 534 certification, NSF helps Korean water companies prepare more effectively for the new requirements and reduce uncertainty as they pursue entry into the European market.

NSF expects NSF/KWTC 555 to provide a common foundation for evaluating the safety of drinking water system components across Southeast Asia. The standard is expected to help reduce the burden associated with repeated testing and certification requirements in individual countries and support Korean water companies seeking to enter Southeast Asian markets.

Through its EU-MHR services, NSF also plans to strengthen its support for Korean water companies by helping them respond proactively to evolving European drinking water regulations and navigate the market-entry process with greater confidence.