Understanding Water Purifier Certifications and Standards
Till recently India did not have any standards or certifications for water purifiers.
However, because of the growing concern about the impact of water purifiers on human health & environmental safety, the Bureau of Indian Standards has taken a significant step by formulating standards for water purifier certification.
In the absence of India-specific standards, renowned water purifier brands have turned to global certifications to validate the quality of their products. These certifications, although not mandatory, serve as valuable indicators of product quality and reliability.
In this guide, we’ll explain the most common water purifier certifications and standards used by water purifier brands in India.
1. BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards)
BIS (earlier known as ISI or Indian Standards Institute) has created IS 16240: 2015 for Reverse Osmosis (RO) based water purifiers that you use at home.
Some products still use the old ISI mark to showcase a BIS certification.
The BIS certification for RO water purifiers checks the purifiers for their build quality, water wastage, and quality of purification.
Manufacturers need to follow the specifications outlined in the standard. The parts of the water purifier that come in contact with water should be corrosion-resistant and food-safe. All parts fitted after the booster pump should be able to withstand the maximum pressure given by the manufacturer.
For a BIS certification, the RO purifier must pass the following important tests:
- Reject Water Control Mechanism
- TDS Reduction
- Percent Recovery of Product Water
- Hourly Production Rate
- Leakage Current Test
- High Voltage Test
- Type Pressure Test (Hydrostatic Test)
- Routine Pressure Test (Pneumatic Test)
- Chemical Reduction (Copper, Iron, Nitrate)
2. NSF International (USA)
NSF International is a non-profit organization that develops and certifies public health and safety standards.
They have several standards for water purifiers, including:
- NSF/ANSI 42 – Covers the reduction of Chlorine, taste and odor, chloramine, particulate, iron, manganese, zinc, and total dissolved solids (TDS)
- NSF/ANSI 53 – This standard offers over 50 contaminant reduction claims. Some of the most popular include lead, Cryptosporidium, VOCs, and chromium.
- NSF/ANSI 401 – is a newer standard that covers the reduction of emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
- NSF/ANSI 55 – These standards cover the performance and safety of ultraviolet (UV) systems.
- NSF/ANSI 58 – These standards cover the performance and safety of RO systems
NSF/ANSI stands for National Sanitation Foundation International/American National Standards Institute.
When a water purifier is NSF-certified, it means that it has been independently tested and verified to meet these standards.
3. Water Quality Association (USA)
The Water Quality Association (WQA) is a trade association that represents the water treatment industry.
They offer several certifications for water purifiers, including the Gold Seal certification, which is their most rigorous certification. The Gold Seal certification covers the reduction of specific contaminants like lead, as well as the reduction of aesthetic contaminants like chlorine taste and odor.
The WQA also offers certifications for specific technologies, like Reverse Osmosis and distillation.
4. CE (European Union)
The European Union has several directives and regulations for water purifiers, including the Drinking Water Directive, which sets standards for the quality of drinking water in the EU.
Water purifiers sold in Europe must comply with these regulations, which cover the reduction of specific contaminants like lead and pesticides.
“CE” stands for the French phrase “ConformitĂ© EuropĂ©ene,” which translates to “European Conformity”.
5. RoHS Compliant (European Union)
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive is in place to curtail the utilization of specific hazardous substances within electrical and electronic products (EEE). Effective from July 1, 2006, all relevant products marketed within the European Union are required to conform to RoHS compliance.
For products to be considered RoHS compliant, they must adhere to permissible levels of certain restricted materials. These materials encompass lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), although certain limited exemptions may apply.
These restricted substances not only pose a threat to the environment but also create potential occupational exposure hazards during both the manufacturing and recycling processes.
It is crucial to note that the RoHS directive applies to a wide array of items, ranging from household appliances and computers to consumer electronics, power tools, toys, and beyond.
Conclusion
When it comes to selecting a water purifier, it’s important to understand the various certifications and standards used in the industry.
Look for the logos and markings mentioned above to ensure that your water purifier meets the appropriate standards.
By selecting a water purifier that meets these standards, you can have peace of mind that your drinking water is safe and free of harmful contaminants.
