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NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 Testing and Certification

This standard sets benchmarks for evaluating water distribution products and materials. Learn about why it's required and accepted around the world.

Purpose

NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 is a public consensus standard, which establishes minimum criteria for evaluating the health effects of materials, components, products, and systems in contact with drinking water. Products can be both tested and certified against the standard’s benchmarks.

Scope

The standard is divided into sections which cover the detailed requirements by product type.

Note: Sections 1-3 cover the scope, definitions, and general requirements.

Section

Product Type Covered

Section 4

Pipes & Related Products

Section 5

Barrier Materials

Section 6

Joining & Sealing Materials

Section 7

Process Media

Section 8

Mechanical Devices

Section 9

Mechanical Plumbing Devices

Requirements for NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 testing and/or certification

Requirements for testing or certification to the standard vary in rigorousness from third-party certification by an accredited certification body, to market acceptance (e.g., specification by a manufacturer’s customer).

The map below shows the global scale of current requirements and acceptance of NSF/ANSI/CAN 61.

NSF 61 Map

Note: Requirements and acceptance are dynamic. If you are aware of something not noted here, feel free to notify our team.

Get more information about the specific U.S. states and Canadian provinces/territories which require this standard.

Why it’s credible

The standard was first published by NSF at the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the late 1980s. Today, it serves as a basis for drinking water requirements around the world.

NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 remains independent, as it is managed by a joint committee of 33 representatives, consisting of equal expertise in public health, end use and industry. This structure also allows the standard to be updated to adapt to new technological advancements.

Pathway to certification

The pathway to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 certification can be broken up into seven steps.

  • Application

    Your company submits an application (with support from our experts).
  • Submission

    You provide product formulation, toxicology, and product use information.
  • Review

    Our technical team reviews your formulations and/or parts lists to determine the testing required.
  • On-Site Audit

    We perform an on-site audit of the production facility and collect/request samples.
  • Testing

    Our laboratory conducts testing on the product.
  • Technical Evaluation

    We review the findings of the testing, audit, and compliance with the standard.
  • Certification

    If the product passes, NSF certification is granted (and maintained annually).

Why NSF is the best choice

  • Our people know your people: We provide dedicated account managers for each client, who are in your time zone and speak your language.
  • Our labs are owned and operated by us: To make sure you receive results you can rely on, NSF owns and operates our own labs. This allows us to deliver you reliable results with all the proper accreditations.
  • We help protect your company from risk: We help protect your company from risk by providing you with data which can help you better understand potential risks in your product supply chain.
  • You can track your project status anywhere, anytime: We provide you with access to our real-time customer platform, NSF Connect. Submit documentation, track your projects, ask questions and more.
  • Our mark is known around the world: The NSF mark means quality and gives your product instant credibility. In fact, your customers are checking NSF listings to find certified products (our listings had over 400,000 views last year).

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