ANN ARBOR, MI, April 15, 2015 -- Global public health organization NSF International and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) announced that they have published the first American National Standard for assessing the sustainability of water treatment chemical products, under "NSF/AWWA/ANSI 416: Sustainability Assessment Standard for Water Treatment Chemical Products."
Manufacturers and distributors (including re-packagers and re-labelers) of water treatment chemicals now have a framework for measuring and reducing the environmental impacts of their products, providing more sustainable purchase options to municipal water treatment facilities and industrial and consumer users of treatment chemicals.
To obtain certification, organizations must have implemented environmental and social management policies and measure and document their water and energy use. They must also meet all prerequisite requirements pertaining to product design, manufacturing processes, efficacy, and corporate social responsibility, as well as optional criteria in these categories. Organizations meeting these requirements can minimize the environmental and human impacts of their products and potentially reduce costs through more efficient use of materials, energy and water.
"NSF International's 70-year history of protecting and improving water quality and the environment is reflected in this new standard, NSF/AWWA/ANSI 416, which helps manufacturers of water treatment chemical products measure, manage and reduce environmental impact and reduce cost," said Tom Bruursema, general manager of Environmental and Sustainability Services at NSF International. "Manufacturers can reduce their material, energy and water consumption, which contributes to improving sustainability."
How NSF/AWWA/ANSI 416 Certification Works
The sustainability assessment criteria of NSF/AWWA/ANSI 416 are divided into five categories:
- Chemical Product Design: Encourages product designers and developers to minimize negative environmental and human impacts throughout the product lifecycle
- Chemical Product Manufacturing Process: Encourages manufacturers to monitor and minimize the environmental impacts of the product's manufacturing process
- Chemical Product Efficacy: Ensures that the product performs at or above recognized industry standards
- Product End-of-Life Management: Ensures that products, including their packaging, can be collected and re-processed within existing recycling infrastructure
- Corporate Governance: Encourages organizational leadership and social responsibility with a focus on occupational health and safety, data transparency and community involvement
Certification to NSF/AWWA/ANSI 416 is based on point totals. Manufacturers or distributors working with a certified manufacturer must meet all prerequisite requirements and a minimum number of applicable optional criteria for their product to be certified. Certified products and related advertising or marketing materials may carry the NSF International Sustainability Certified mark and are included in NSF International's certified product listings.
See also:
"NSF releases first American National Standard for Cryptosporidium removal from drinking water"
"American National Standard released for sustainable management"
About NSF International
NSF International is a global independent organization that writes standards, and tests and certifies products for the water, food, health sciences, and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment (nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. Operating in more than 155 countries, NSF International is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Food Safety, Water Quality and Indoor Environment. For more information, visit www.nsf.org.
About AWWA
Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life. For more information, visit www.awwa.org.
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