NSF Protocol 549 – Drinking Water Treatment Units, Glyphosate Reduction

Differentiate your water filtration products with independent, science-based verification of glyphosate reduction performance.

NSF Protocol 549 – Drinking Water Treatment Units, Glyphosate Reduction, helps manufacturers substantiate product claims, build consumer trust, and position products for evolving market and regulatory expectations.

Why glyphosate certification matters

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides worldwide and is part of a broader group of herbicides and pesticides that support modern agriculture, landscaping, and vegetation management. While regulatory agencies have established health‑protective drinking water limits and monitoring data show detections are infrequent and typically very low, consumer interest in point‑of‑use water treatment for chemical contaminants continues to grow.

NSF Protocol 549 provides manufacturers with a credible, science‑based way to verify reduction claims and demonstrate performance transparently—without implying that glyphosate or other herbicides represent an unaddressed drinking water risk.

The market challenge

Until now, no authoritative, standardized certification program existed specifically to verify glyphosate reduction claims for drinking water treatment products.

This creates challenges for:

• Manufacturers seeking to differentiate products.
• Sales teams addressing customer questions.
• Retailers evaluating competing solutions.
• Consumers comparing performance claims.

NSF helps bridge that gap with independent verification backed by rigorous science and globally recognized certification expertise

Independent verification of glyphosate reduction claims

NSF Protocol 549 is a voluntary third-party certification program designed specifically for drinking water treatment products.

Products are evaluated using:

• Standardized, science-based testing protocols aligned with NSF/ANSI 53 and NSF/ANSI 58.
• Conservative challenge conditions.
• Validated analytical methods.
• Health-protective performance benchmarks.
• Independent third-party review and certification.

The result is a credible and transparent way to demonstrate product performance while maintaining alignment with regulatory science.

Who should apply?

NSF Protocol 549 is ideal for:

• Manufacturers of point-of-use (POU) activated carbon and reverse osmosis systems.
• Water filtration manufacturers seeking differentiated claims.
• Brands looking to strengthen consumer confidence and retailer acceptance.

Why choose NSF?

NSF is one of the world's most trusted organizations for water treatment product testing, certification, and standards development.

As the developer of NSF/ANSI 401 and numerous other water treatment standards, NSF brings decades of experience evaluating emerging contaminants and validating product performance.

Manufacturers choose NSF because of our:

• Global recognition and trust.
• Independent third-party certification.
• Water treatment expertise.
• Rigorous testing methodologies.
• Strong retailer and consumer acceptance.
• Proven standards development leadership.

Ready to differentiate your products?

NSF Protocol 549 helps manufacturers substantiate performance claims, strengthen customer trust, and prepare for future market expectations.