Who is the NSF and why are they important?

Why is NSF International Important?

The National Sanitation Foundation—now officially known as NSF International—is a global public health and safety organisation. Founded in 1944 in the United States, it was originally created to improve sanitation and food safety. Today it operates as an independent, nonprofit organisation, working worldwide with manufacturers, regulators, and public health authorities.

Although many people still refer to the ‘National Sanitation Foundation,’ the organisation rebranded to NSF International to reflect its global role. (And it’s not to be confused with the National Science Foundation, which is a US government agency, funding research.)

What does NSF International do?

1. They protect food and water safety by developing standards and certifying products related to:

• Drinking water systems (filters, pipes, bottled water)
• Food equipment and food processing
• Commercial kitchens and restaurants
• Dietary supplements and bottled beverages

If you see “NSF Certified” on a product, it means:

• The product was tested by NSF labs to meet their protocols
• It meets strict health, safety and materials standards to ensure no items are deemed toxic for consumption.
• Ongoing inspections of the manufacturing environment verify continued compliance

2. They reduce public health risks

NSF helps prevent:

• Contaminated drinking water
• Foodborne illness
• Exposure to harmful chemicals
• Unsafe medical and consumer products

Their work directly supports public health, even though most consumers never interact with NSF directly.

3. They set trusted global standards

The NSF:

• Writes consensus-based standards
• Tests products in accredited laboratories
• Audits factories and supply chains

Governments and regulators around the world often reference NSF standards when creating laws or safety rules.

4. They help consumers make safer choices

NSF certification labels help consumers:

• Trust water filters and food products
• Choose safer supplements and appliances
• Avoid misleading or unverified health claims

This is especially important in areas which are less tightly regulated by governments – including water purification and filtration

In short

NSF International is important because it:

• Sets trusted health and safety standards
• Independently tests and certifies products
• Protects food, water, and consumer safety worldwide

So what does NSF Certification actually mean?

When you see ‘NSF Certified’ on a product, it means NSF International has verified it through an independent process. Specifically:

1. The product was independently tested

• NSF tests the product in accredited labs.
• Tests confirm it does what it claims (e.g., a water filter removes lead).
• Tests also check that harmful contaminants are not introduced.

2. It meets a specific NSF standard

• Certification is tied to formal standards (for example, NSF/ANSI standards).
• These standards define health limits, performance criteria, and safety requirements.

3. The manufacturing facility is inspected

• NSF audits where the product is made.
• They verify quality control, sanitation, and consistency.
• Inspections are ongoing, not one-time.

4. Ongoing compliance is required

• Products are retested periodically.
• Factories are re-audited.
• Certification can be revoked if standards slip.

It is about safety, accuracy, and truth in labelling.

What’s the connection between NSF and ANSI?

The difference between NSF and ANSI is about who writes standards, who approves them, and who enforces them.  Here’s the clear breakdown of the roles of the two organisations

NSF International

• Develops health and safety standards
• Tests products in laboratories
• Certifies products and audits manufacturers
• Focuses on food, water, and consumer safety

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

• Does not test or certify products
• Oversees the U.S. standards system
• Accredits organisations that develop standards
• Ensures standards are created through a fair, consensus-based process

What does ‘NSF/ANSI’ actually mean?

When you see a standard like NSF/ANSI 53, it means NSF developed the technical standard, and ANSI approved it as an official American National Standard.

• NSF provides technical expertise, testing and certification
• ANSI provides process oversight and national recognition

ANSI ensures:

• Multiple stakeholders had input (industry, public health, regulators)
• The process was transparent and balanced
• No single company controlled the standard

Why this matters to consumers

Because a filter certified to an NSF/ANSI standard:

• Was tested against clear, nationally recognised criteria
• Meets health-based limits, not just marketing claims
• Was evaluated under a credible, independent process

That’s why regulators, building codes, and health agencies often reference NSF/ANSI standards by law.

ANSI does not test products, run labs or issue certification labels. If a product claims ‘ANSI certified’ without mentioning NSF (or another accredited certifier), that’s a red flag.

How to spot a legitimate NSF label

What to look for

• The NSF logo – It’s illegal to display it if not fully certified
• A specific claim, not vague wording
  - Example: “NSF Certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction”
• Matching listing in NSF’s online certification database

Red flags

• ‘NSF compliant’ is not the same as certified
• ‘Tested to NSF standards’ (testing does not equal certification)
• No product listing when searched
• Fake or altered NSF logos

If a product is truly certified, you can find it in NSF’s public database.

Which NSF standards should I look for when buying a water filter?

When buying a water filter, the most important thing is to match the NSF standard to the specific contaminants you want removed. Look for certification from NSF International and check the exact standard number on the label.

The most common mistake

Many products say ‘NSF certified’ but only meet NSF 42, which means they only improve the taste. Always look for the exact standard number and contaminant listed, such as: ‘NSF/ANSI 53 — Lead reduction’ or ‘NSF/ANSI 401 — PFAS reduction’

Testing to NSF standards vs. being 'NSF certified'

While not every water filter has been certified by the NSF, some – including LifeSaver - have been tested against the NSF/ANSI standards. An independent laboratory can:

• Use the NSF/ANSI test methods
• Measure performance (e.g., lead or PFAS reduction)
• Produce a test report

This is often described as:

• ‘Tested to NSF/ANSI 53
• ‘Meets NSF/ANSI 401 requirements

Why aren’t all LifeSaver Products NSF Certified?

The short answer is the cost.

Official NSF certification and subsequent permission to use the NSF logo is expensive and ongoing, and every product variation must have its own certification – even for simple colour changes. Comprehensive NSF certification for water filtration systems can start from £75,000. The more water they process, the higher the cost. So, as LifeSaver filters comparatively filter a lot and Icon LifeSaver is a small business, incurring those costs would make our product unaffordable.

The good news is that there are independent labs that run full test protocols exactly as specified by NSF/ANSI, which means LifeSaver can legitimately claim to meet the performance requirements of NSF/ANSI standards, and has the documentation to prove it. Very few - if any - manufacturers of portable water purifiers can make the same claims. You’ll find all the documentation in the downloads section of our website.

For more information on our products, please get in touch.