🌍 What are NSF/ANSI standards?
NSF/ANSI (National Sanitation Foundation / American National Standards Institute) standards are internationally recognized benchmarks used to evaluate water treatment systems and components. They define standardized test protocols to measure filtration performance and the compliance of materials in contact with drinking water.
What is the difference between "tested to NSF/ANSI" and "NSF certified"?
Tested to NSF/ANSI
A product undergoes testing performed according to the protocols defined by one or more NSF/ANSI standards. These tests measure the filter's performance regarding specific contaminants or parameters. The tests may be conducted by qualified independent laboratories.
NSF Certified
NSF certification goes beyond performance testing. It generally includes:
- laboratory testing according to the relevant standards;
- an evaluation of materials in contact with water;
- an audit of the manufacturing site;
- periodic inspections and ongoing production monitoring.
Certification allows the manufacturer to officially claim the product's compliance with the certified requirements.
Key takeaways
A product can be tested to NSF/ANSI protocols without being NSF certified. Test results provide information on performance observed during testing, whereas certification also includes a control and monitoring process for both the product and its manufacturing.
The Coldstream FTO+ filter and NSF/ANSI standards
The Coldstream FTO+ filter is not NSF certified. However, tests have been conducted by the independent laboratory IAPMO according to protocols based on NSF/ANSI standards. These tests provide performance data on the tested parameters without constituting NSF certification of the product.
✅ Evaluated standards
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🔹 NSF/ANSI 42 – Aesthetic effects
Target: taste, odor, color, chlorine.
Objective: to make water more pleasant to drink. -
🔹 NSF/ANSI 53 – Health effects
Target: heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.), pesticides, VOCs, other chemicals.
Objective: to reduce substances that can impact health. -
🔹 NSF/ANSI P231 – Microbiological purifier
Target: pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, protozoa).
Requirements: bacteria ≥ 99.9999% (6 log) – viruses ≥ 99.99% (4 log) – protozoa/cysts ≥ 99.9% (3 log).
Objective: to make water drinkable even from questionable sources (rivers, wells, lakes).
💧 In summary
- NSF 42 = improves taste and removes chlorine.
- NSF 53 = eliminates dangerous pollutants (chemicals, heavy metals).
- NSF P231 = protects against bacteria and viruses, for truly safe water.
👉 Combined, these standards make the Coldstream FTO Plus a complete purifier, suitable for both daily use and emergency situations.
