What is NSF Certification?

Posted by Jason Welsford on Feb 14th 2017

If you manufacture, distribute, or use  valves for potable water or food processing, you most likely have come across the acronym NSF.  A valve that does not clearly have a NSF rating should not be used for distributing potable water or in food processing.  Using a valve that isn't certified when you have an application that calls for a NSF Certification will not pass state and federal inspections, and is simply against the law.

What is NSF?

NSF stands for the  National Sanitation Foundation.  When a valve, fitting, or pipe is NSF certified, it meets or exceeds particular standards enforced by state and federal laws.  Not all NSF standards pertain to food or water.  There are numerous standards for a variety of medias.  Many relate to commercial and residential plumbing.  Others are for pharmaceutical safety, etc.  The point is, if the valve you want to purchase and use in your application does not carry an NSF certification and the applications requires one, you should contact a valve expert before installation.  It's all about safety and protecting yourself from possible liability and suit.  An inspection that fails to identify NSF certified valves in places where they should be could be very costly, even devastating to a business or municipality, depending on how many valves and other line components would have to be immediately replaced. 

Identifying NSF Certification

Most manufactures will have the NSF seal of approval on their submittal sheets or specification sheets to inform you upfront as to whether or not a valve is NSF certified.  Some will list valves as being certified, while others will let you know which valves are not certified.  If an NSF certification isn't mentioned on the manufacturer data sheet, it's best to contact them directly.  In addition, since there are so many different reasons for a product to be NSF certified, the acronym NSF may be followed by a series of numbers specifying its specific media certification.  For instance, a marking of  NSF-61, or NSF/ANSI 61, indicates the valve or other related product has been approved for a potable water application.

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NSF Certification Chart


Product/System Category Relevant Standards, Protocols & Systems
Automotive
Automotive Collision Repair Shop Certification Program NSF P458
Automotive Parts Certification Program NSF P367, P368, P369, P370, P371, P377, P379
Automotive Parts Distributor Certification Program NSF P394
Friction Material Program SAE J2975
Building Products and Interiors
Electrical Safety ANSI/UL 48, 197, 651, 763, CSA C22.2 No. 109, 211.2, NEMA TC2, UL 1795
Fire Safety Products NSF/ANSI 14, ASTM, UL
Gas Distribution Products NSF/ANSI 14, ASTM D2513, CSA B137.4
Consumer and Retail Products
Cosmetics Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
Home Product Certification NSF P386, P387, P388, P389, P390, P400, P402, P403, P405, P406, P407, P408, P412
Kitchen Products NSF/ANSI 184, NSF P152, P156, P180, P203, P205, P224, P235
Water Filters NSF/ANSI 42, 44, 53, 55, 58, 62, 177, NSF P231, P473, P477, NSF/JWPA P72, CSA B483.1, INMETRO ABNT/NBR 14908
Dietary Supplements
Athletic Banned Substances Program NSF Certification Guideline 306
Dietary Supplements NSF/ANSI 173
Functional Food and Beverages NSF Certification Guideline 229
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
Food Safety and Quality
Bottled Waters and Beverages
Commercial Food Equipment NSF/ANSI 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21, 25, 29, 35, 36, 37, 51, 52, 59, 169, NSF P149, P155
Consumer Values Verified Certifications Gluten-Free, Non-GMO True North
HACCP Compliance Verification
Hygienically Clean Napery NSF P413
ISO 21469 Certified Lubricants
Meat and Poultry Processing Equipment NSF/ANSI/3-A 14159-1, 14159-3
Nonfood Compounds - White Book™
Organic and Specialty Certifications QAI Organic Foods, NSF/ANSI 305 Organic Personal Care Products
Processed Foods and Beverages NSF Certification Guideline 227
Laboratory Equipment and Related Services
Biosafety Cabinetry NSF/ANSI 49
Class II Biosafety Cabinet Field Certifiers
Management Systems
Management Systems Registration NSF-ISR Registrations for Quality Management Systems, Environmental Health and Safety Management Systems, Information Security Management
Sustainability and Environment
Sustainability and Environmental Programs Sustainable Product Certification, Sustainable Service Certification, Landfill-Free and Other Claims Verifications
Water and Wastewater
Bottled Waters and Beverages
Drinking Water System Components NSF/ANSI 61
Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals NSF/ANSI 60
Drinking Water Treatment Units NSF/ANSI 42, 44, 53, 55, 58, 62, 177, 401, NSF P231, P473, P477, NSF/JWPA P72, CSA B483.1, INMETRO ABNT/NBR 16098
Fabricated Ductile Iron Pipe AWWA C115, C606
Lead Content Certification NSF/ANSI 372
Onsite Wastewater Inspectors
OQC Registration Origine e Qualità Controllata
Plumbing System Components NSF/ANSI 14, 24, 358, NSF P374, ASTM, ASME, CSA, IAPMO, ASSE, AWWA
Public Drinking Water Equipment Performance NSF/ANSI 419
Recreational Water Facility Products NSF/ANSI 50, APSP, ASME, ASTM, IAPMO
Wastewater Treatment Units NSF/ANSI 40, 41, 46, 245, 350, P157, CAN/BNQ 3680-600, ISO 11143
Other
Authorized Protocol Certifications P149, P151, P154, P155, P157, P172, P182, P231,P308, P335, P351, P352, P353, P413, P442, P447, P467
Laboratory Accreditation

When in doubt, of course, just ask professional  valve store and distributor that you can trust like ValveMan.com.  They have been in the industrial valve business for over 50 years.  They can provide you with what you want to know regarding standards and regulations.  This is because all we sell are valves.  It's simply all they do, and they do it better than anyone else.

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Jason Welsford

Valve industry Business operations and leadership Sales and customer service Product knowledge Sector-specific knowledge Project management Innovation and technology

Jason Welsford is the third-generation owner of the FS Welsford Company and a highly regarded expert in the valve industry. Under his leadership, ValveMan.com has grown into a leading online platform for valves and valve-related products. Leveraging his extensive knowledge of business operations and various valve systems, Jason offers tailored solutions across diverse sectors. Known for his collaborative approach and leadership skills, he consistently ensures successful project outcomes. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, Jason continues to shape the future of the valve industry.