NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and 61 Through History

Need for Standardized Evaluation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) operated a program that issued letters of approval to manufacturers for some products intended to come in contact with drinking water. The process involved only a review of the material formulations for potentially harmful compounds. The EPA approval did not include product testing or inspections of manufacturing facilities. Early on, the EPA recognized a need for a more thorough and standardized evaluation process for these products yet realized that their limited resources prevented expansion of this program.

RFPs for Standards Development

The EPA issued a request for proposals for independent nonprofit organizations to develop standards and a certification program for products used to treat or distribute drinking water.

Contract Awarded

The EPA awarded the contract to a consortium led by NSF, which included the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the AWWA Research Foundation (AWWARF) and the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA). The participation of all groups was key to the development of both the NSF/ANSI 60 and 61 standards.

First Health Effects Standards Are Published

The first comprehensive health effects standards, NSF 60 and 61, were published.

ANSI Accreditation

NSF 60 and 61 became ANSI-accredited standards, and NSF began certifying products to these standards.

Annex G for Lead Requirements

In December 2008, Annex G was introduced to NSF/ANSI 61, which set parameters for meeting 0.25% lead content requirements. This allowed product manufacturers to show compliance with laws with lead content requirements, such as California law AB 1953.

From Annex G to NSF/ANSI 372

The requirements of Annex G were moved to NSF/ANSI 372. Annex G became only a reference to NSF/ANSI 372 if lead content verification methods were required.

Lead-Free Definition Changes

The federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) changed the definition of “lead-free” to mean that products are required to meet a weighted average lead content of 0.25% or less. The federal law had a January 2014 compliance date. NSF/ANSI 61 Section 3.5 also required all products falling under the scope of the legislation to meet the lead-free definition of the Safe Drinking Water Act by January 2014.

Important Changes to Industry Standards

In May 2012, the companion standard to NSF/ANSI 60, NSF 223, was approved by ANSI. NSF/ANSI 223 provides requirements for companies certifying to NSF/ANSI 60.

July 1, 2012, marked a significant milestone in the effort to reduce lead in drinking water. The reduced chemical extraction criteria for lead previously contained in Annex F of NSF/ANSI 61 went into effect. The 2012 version of NSF/ANSI 61 was issued, the reduced lead extraction criteria moved from Annex F into the main body of the standard, and compliance was now mandated.

Retiring of Annex G

In October 2013, Annex G was retired from NSF/ANSI 61.

Lead-Free Legislation Is Officially Implemented

The SDWA and the changes to the “lead-free” definition went into effect in January 2014.

Both Standards Published as National Standards of Canada

The names of the standards were updated to NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 to illustrate their acceptance as national standards of Canada.

NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, Section 3.6 Takes Effect

On January 1, 2022, the implementation deadline to comply with section 3.6 of NSF/ANSI 61 went into effect. This section of the standard has been updated to include the requirement of lead content verification testing for all products certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, with the exception of those specifically exempted within the Safe Drinking Water Act.