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NSF International

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with the National Science Foundation.

National Sanitation Foundation
AbbreviationNSF
Formation1944 (1944)
TypeTesting, inspection, certification, training, and consulting
Legal statusNot-for-profit
PurposeImprove and protect human health worldwide.
HeadquartersAnn Arbor, Michigan, United States
Region served
150 countries
Pedro Sancha
Staff1,200 (2011)
Websitewww.nsf.org

NSF (an initialism for National Sanitation Foundation) is a public health organization[1] headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan[2] that tests and certifies foods, water, and consumer products.[1] It also facilitates the development of standards for these products,[1] labeling products it has certified to meet these standards with the NSF mark.[3]

NSF is accredited by the American National Standards Institute[citation needed] and the Standards Council of Canada.[4]

History

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NSF International, originally named the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), was founded in 1944 by the University of Michigan School of Public Health, in an attempt to standardize requirements around sanitation and food safety.[1] The first standards developed by the NSF set sanitation requirements on soda fountain and luncheonette equipment.[1][clarification needed] The name of the organization was changed to NSF International in 1990 based on the fact that the company certifed things beyond sanitation and to operate internationally beyond the United States.[citation needed]

Certification

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NSF certified stamped x50CrMov15 stainless steel chef's knife with TPE grip

The NSF certifies food equipment, including food preparation and dispensing equipment, ice makers, refrigerators and freezers, dishwashing sinks, vending machines, mobile food carts, and service counters.[5] These certifications are widely recognized internationally.[5]

NSF's Food division also certifies the gluten-freeness of products and other similar characteristics, as well as certifying bottled water and packaged ice.[6]

The NSF also certifies dietary supplements through a standard it facilitated the development of adopted by ANSI (NSF/American National Standards Institute Standard 173), testing for safe levels of contaminants and that the ingredients on supplements match their labels.[1] As of 2002 it competed in this with the United States Pharmacopeia certification mark.[7]

The NSF also develops standards for and certifies water quality.[8] As of 2024 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets limits on drinking water contaminants based on standards set by the NSF.[9]

The NSF Consumer Products Division tests and certifies consumer products and appliances used in and around the home.[10][11]

NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR) an NSF company, offers certifications for information security (e.g. ISO 27001, ISO 20000-1), specialty services (automotive and aerospace) and management systems that includes environmental, occupational health and safety standards).[citation needed]

Laboratories

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NSF maintains laboratories in North America,[12] South America,[13] Europe[12] and China.[12] NSF's laboratories are accredited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.[12] NSF laboratories are ISO 17025 certified (testing and calibration).[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Travis, John; Lattimore, Lisa Glymph; Harvey, Michael; Frey, Thomas (1 January 2019), Bagchi, Debasis (ed.), "Chapter 11 - NSF International's role in the dietary supplements and nutraceuticals industries", Nutraceutical and Functional Food Regulations in the United States and around the World (Third Edition), Academic Press, pp. 147–158, ISBN 978-0-12-816467-9, retrieved 21 November 2024. Written by employees of the National Sanitation Foundation.
  2. ^ "NSF - World Headquarters". NSF International. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  3. ^ "NSF Mark". NSF.org. NSF International.
  4. ^ "NSF International". Standards Council of Canada – Conseil canadien des normes. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  5. ^ a b Bole, Dhruv Kishore. "Understanding NSF Certification and How it Can Benefit Food Equipment Manufacturers | Food Safety". Food Safety Magazine. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  6. ^ International, NSF. "NSF's Food Services". NSF's Food Services. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  7. ^ Packer-Tursman, Judy (18 November 2002). "Certified, To a Point". Washington Post. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  8. ^ United States General Accounting Office (1991). Drinking Water: Inadequate Regulation of Home Treatment Units Leaves Consumers at Risk : Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives. United States General Accounting Office.
  9. ^ Ajasa, Amudalat (20 November 2024). "This substitute for lead pipes could carry its own risks". Washington Post.
  10. ^ "NSF International Launches New NSF Home Product Certification Program". Grocery Headquarters. Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  11. ^ "NSF Consumer Product Safety Division". NSF International. Archived from the original on 11 October 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  12. ^ a b c d e "NSF Laboratories". NSF International. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  13. ^ "NSF International Acquires the INASSA Group". Nutraceuticals World. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
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