Skip to main content

Seven Steps to Certification: Drinking Water Systems, Components and Chemicals

At NSF, we’ve been testing and certifying products for over 70 years. In that time, we have streamlined the process to make it less complicated.

We know time to market is important, and so is visibility into the certification process. That’s why we’ve broken it up into seven steps:

  • 1

    Application

    Your company submits an application.
  • 2

    Submission

    You provide product formulation, toxicology and product use information.
  • 3

    Review

    Our technical team reviews formulations and/or parts lists.
  • 4

    On-Site Audit

    We perform an on-site audit of the production facility and collect/request samples.
  • 5

    Testing

    Our laboratory conducts testing on the product.
  • 6

    Technical Evaluation

    We complete a final technical evaluation.
  • 7

    Certification

    NSF certification is granted (and maintained annually).

Certification for Municipal Water Products

Certify your products, components and materials used in the municipal water industry to meet health and safety requirements.

Drinking Water Treatment Chemical Certification

Certify your drinking water treatment chemicals to meet regulatory requirements around the world.

Ready To Begin the Process?

Contact us with questions or to receive a quote.

How NSF Can Help You

Get in touch to find out how we can help you and your business thrive.

What’s New with NSF

  • NSF Achieves European Accreditation for Drinking Water Product Certification Ahead of 2027 EU Deadline

    July 22, 2026
    The ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation from BELAC complements NSF’s testing capacity, enabling end-to-end support for EU Drinking Water Directive (DWD) readiness ahead of the January 2027 deadline.
    Read the Story
  • NSF Awards World-First Community Catch Certification to Orkney Crab Fishery

    July 13, 2026
    Milestone certification sets a new benchmark for small-scale fishery sustainability and social responsibility.
    Read the Story
  • NSF Issues First-Ever MSC Certification for an Eel Fishery to Perupez S.A.C. and Sakana del Peru

    June 19, 2026
    Third-party certification plays a key role in independently verifying the sustainability of seafood operations.
    Read the Story
  • NSF Ends UK’s Three-Year Testing Gap with REG 31 Testing Designation

    May 20, 2026
    NSF’s Oakdale laboratory becomes the UK’s sole facility offering comprehensive BS 6920 and REG 31 testing, closing a critical drinking water safety gap.
    Read the Story