Certified Shower Filters - What"s Behind The Label?
When we think about buying any new product there are many factors which help us make up our minds about whether or not this product is best for us.
This may be recommendations from friends, online user reviews, advertising that we've seen or product certifications from independent bodies.
When choosing the right shower head filter it can be quite daunting as there are many on the market that all profess to do the same thing, how does one choose between them all? In this article we will discuss shower head filter certifications.
What companies certify shower water filters and what do they offer in their certifications.
NSF Certifications The NSF (originally named National Sanitation Foundation, but they changed their name to NSF International in 1990) are a global independent body which provides safety accreditation for products.
They produce standards for public health and safety.
Manufacturers and regulators can commission the NSF to scientifically test their products independently to make sure that their products meet safety standards which have been devised by the NSF.
In terms of shower head filter and water filter certifications, seeing an NSF mark accompanying the product is a very strong indication that the product has been rigorously tested in a scientific manner and conforms to the claims made.
The NSF have a huge range of safety standards for a huge range of products and situations, but specifically they have a standard for shower water filters.
This is standard is the NSF/ANSI177 standard.
Any certified filter that has this mark ensures that it has been scientifically proven to confirm to; material safety, structural integrity, minimum flower performance and its ability to reduce free available chlorine.
More detail about the standard can be seen here: http://www.
nsf.
org/services/by-industry/water-wastewater/residential-water-treatment/residential-drinking-water-treatment-standards/ Water Quality Association Another certification board for water filters and shower water filters is the Water Quality Association.
Unlike the NSF the Water Quality Association deals only with certification of water related products.
On their webpage they state; "WQA is a resource and information source, a voice for the industry, an educator for professionals, a laboratory for product testing, and a communicator to the public.
" Quite like the NSF, the WQA also have ANSI standards which manufacturers can commission them to test their products and services against.
When a product has actually been tested and certified by the WQA it will hold a WQA Gold Seal.
WQA say on their website that the Gold Seal Product Certification ensures that; the product is constructed from safe materials, the claims listed on the packaging are backed by test data and the product will hold up under normal usage conditions Generally you will see WQA certifications more on drinking water filters than certified shower water filters because they do not hold a standard specifically for shower water filters.
Yet many shower head filter manufacturers will be a member of the Water Quality Association and are thus able to display their logo.
Meaning they are associated with the WQA and are a recognised organisation in the water treatment industry.
When it comes to being knowledgeable about what you are getting for your money, then a certification seal certainly should be a large factor in your buying decision.
Now that you know what to look out for we hope that this article has helped identify the different types of shower head filter certifications and hopefully will help you make a more informed decision.
This may be recommendations from friends, online user reviews, advertising that we've seen or product certifications from independent bodies.
When choosing the right shower head filter it can be quite daunting as there are many on the market that all profess to do the same thing, how does one choose between them all? In this article we will discuss shower head filter certifications.
What companies certify shower water filters and what do they offer in their certifications.
NSF Certifications The NSF (originally named National Sanitation Foundation, but they changed their name to NSF International in 1990) are a global independent body which provides safety accreditation for products.
They produce standards for public health and safety.
Manufacturers and regulators can commission the NSF to scientifically test their products independently to make sure that their products meet safety standards which have been devised by the NSF.
In terms of shower head filter and water filter certifications, seeing an NSF mark accompanying the product is a very strong indication that the product has been rigorously tested in a scientific manner and conforms to the claims made.
The NSF have a huge range of safety standards for a huge range of products and situations, but specifically they have a standard for shower water filters.
This is standard is the NSF/ANSI177 standard.
Any certified filter that has this mark ensures that it has been scientifically proven to confirm to; material safety, structural integrity, minimum flower performance and its ability to reduce free available chlorine.
More detail about the standard can be seen here: http://www.
nsf.
org/services/by-industry/water-wastewater/residential-water-treatment/residential-drinking-water-treatment-standards/ Water Quality Association Another certification board for water filters and shower water filters is the Water Quality Association.
Unlike the NSF the Water Quality Association deals only with certification of water related products.
On their webpage they state; "WQA is a resource and information source, a voice for the industry, an educator for professionals, a laboratory for product testing, and a communicator to the public.
" Quite like the NSF, the WQA also have ANSI standards which manufacturers can commission them to test their products and services against.
When a product has actually been tested and certified by the WQA it will hold a WQA Gold Seal.
WQA say on their website that the Gold Seal Product Certification ensures that; the product is constructed from safe materials, the claims listed on the packaging are backed by test data and the product will hold up under normal usage conditions Generally you will see WQA certifications more on drinking water filters than certified shower water filters because they do not hold a standard specifically for shower water filters.
Yet many shower head filter manufacturers will be a member of the Water Quality Association and are thus able to display their logo.
Meaning they are associated with the WQA and are a recognised organisation in the water treatment industry.
When it comes to being knowledgeable about what you are getting for your money, then a certification seal certainly should be a large factor in your buying decision.
Now that you know what to look out for we hope that this article has helped identify the different types of shower head filter certifications and hopefully will help you make a more informed decision.