eSpring Brand is first to be certified to all 15 new NSF/ANSI

401 emerging contaminants

New industry standard addresses removal of 15 additional contaminants from
drinking water
ADA, Mich. (December 15, 2014) When the worlds leading brands in home technology
seek third-party verification of their products, they often turn to NSF International. NSF
International is a global, independent organization that sets standards for product safety and
tests and certifies products for compliance, and recently gave the eSpring Water Treatment
System the first certification for removal of all 15 potential contaminants included in the
new NSF/ANSI 401 drinking water treatment standard.
The new standard addresses the ability of a water treatment device to remove up to 15
additional potential contaminants from drinking water, including pharmaceuticals, over-thecounter medications, herbicides, and pesticides. The eSpring system is also the first water
treatment system to be certified to meet NSF/ANSI Drinking Water Standards 42, 53, 55B,
and 401 requirements.
This latest NSF certification is an independent verification of the eSpring brands
continued performance in effectively reducing even trace levels of contaminants in drinking
water, said Mitchell Urbytes, director of Global Home Brands for Amway. It also provides
our customers with a greater sense of confidence and trust further evidence that they have
made a smart choice for their home.
NSF/ANSI 401 was developed by members of NSF Internationals Joint Committee on
Drinking Water Treatment and the NSF Task Group on Endocrine Disrupting Compounds and
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in cooperation with other industry, academic and
regulatory experts to assure consumers of the performance of water treatment systems. A
recent independent survey conducted on behalf of NSF International indicated that 82 percent
of Americans are concerned about pharmaceuticals and other contaminants in their drinking
water and the new standard seeks to provide them some measure of reassurance.
While the industry isnt currently aware of negative health effects associated with trace
levels of these contaminants, many consumers understandably want to have the highest
quality drinking water possible for themselves and their family, said Rick Andrew, NSF
International Business Development Director for Global Water Programs.
The cutting-edge innovations of our talented scientists and engineers continue to raise the
bar on industry standards for home water treatment systems, said Roy Kuennen, Ph.D., vice
president of Durables Research and Development at Amway. We listen to, and understand,
the concerns of our customers, and work diligently to provide them products that are the ideal
balance of performance, ease of use and value.
The new standard sets requirements for water treatment and filtration devices that reduce up
to 15 potential contaminants, which have been identified in published studies as occurring in
drinking water.
Prescription Drugs

Meprobamate: a compound found in anti-anxiety drugs.

Phenytoin: an anti-epileptic drug.

Atenolol: a beta blocker drug.

Carbamazepine: an anti-convulsant and mood-stabilizing drug.

Trimethoprim: an antibiotic medication.

Estrone: a prescription birth control drug.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Ibuprofen: an over-the-counter pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medication.

Naproxen: an over-the-counter pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medication.

Herbicides and Pesticides

DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide): a pesticide and common active ingredient in

insect repellents.

Metolachlor: an organic compound that is widely used as an herbicide.

Linuron: an herbicide often used in the control of grasses and weeds.

Chemical Compounds

TCEP (tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine): a chemical compound used as a flame retardant, plasticizer and

viscosity regulator in various types of polymers including polyurethanes, polyester resins and
polyacrylates.

TCPP (Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate): a chemical compound used as a flame retardant.

BPA (Bisphenol A): a chemical compound used as a plasticizer.

Nonyl phenol: a collection of compounds often used as a precursor to commercial detergents.

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 is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is a
Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Food
Safety, Water Quality and Indoor Environment.
In addition to developing and certifying to drinking water standards, NSF services include
food safety and quality programs; management systems registrations; sustainability standards
development, claims and product verification; training, consulting, auditing, GMP and GLP
testing, certification, R&D and regulatory guidance for the pharmaceutical and medical
device industries; and testing and certification programs for bottled water and beverages,
dietary supplements and consumer products.