NSF/ANSI 177 specifies how effectively shower filtration systems reduce chlorine, how they are constructed, and what documentation is included.
Is the NSF/ANSI 177 Standard Important To Me?
The answer depends on why you are shopping for a shower filtration system.
| Reason for Shopping | Does NSF/ANSI 177 apply to me? |
| You want a shower filteration system to remove chlorine only | YES |
| You want a shower filteration system to remove particulates or other contaminants | NO |
| You want a shower filtration system to add or change the water’s odor | NO |
When purchasing a shower filtration system with NSF/ANSI 177 certification, you can trust that the system will remove most of the chlorine odor from your shower water. An example includes the Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Filter, which you can read about here.
For more information about standards for all home water treatment systems, visit NSF Standards for Water Treatment Systems.
Who Are NSF/ANSI?
NSF International (formerly known as the National Sanitation Foundation) is an independent organization that develops testing standards for products that can affect public health and food safety. Products carrying NSF certification are tested and verified to meet specific requirements. NSF standards are developed by representatives of product manufacturers, public health regulators, and consumer groups. In short,
NSF certification means an individual product meets specific rules for product safety and performance.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is a private non-profit that works to verify the standardization of various health, safety, food, and employee policies. In other words, ANSI provides a consistent standard of safety and product performance for many industries, government agencies, and even other standards organizations. Put another way,
ANSI standards create a baseline of quality and safety for categories of consumer products.
In many cases, you will see both organizations listed for a particular standard, such as NSF/ANSI 177. These organizations work together to protect public health and safety by creating and verifying standards for food, water, and consumer goods.
NSF/ANSI Standard 177 for “Shower Filtration Systems – Aesthetic Effects” Explained
Below are key points of NSF/ANSI Standard 177: “Shower Filtration Systems – Aesthetic Effects”:
Purpose and Scope
This standard establishes the criteria for the certification of shower filtration systems specifically designed to reduce free available chlorine. The focus is on aesthetic effects (i.e., odor and taste), not on removing particulates or health effects contaminants from water.
Performance Requirements
To be certified under NSF/ANSI 177, a shower filtration system must demonstrate effective reduction of free available chlorine in the water. The system’s performance is evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions to ensure it meets the requirements for chlorine reduction. The standard for assessing a filter’s performance outlines specific protocols and testing methods.
Structural Integrity
NSF/ANSI 177 standard also sets requirements for the structural integrity of the shower filtration system. This ensures the system can withstand regular water pressure without leaking or breaking.
Material Safety
All materials in contact with drinking water in the certified systems are tested for leaching harmful levels of chemicals into the water. This ensures that the materials are non-toxic and safe for contact with water intended for human use.
Product Literature and Labeling
NSF/ANSI 177 also outlines required documentation for certified products, such as installation and operation manuals. The standard requires specific information on the product label. This includes certification details, replacement parts, and any conditions for maintaining the system’s performance.
Regular Compliance Verification
Companies that produce systems certified to NSF/ANSI 177 are subject to activities to ensure ongoing compliance with the standard. This can include periodic unannounced inspections of their manufacturing facilities and random testing of their products.
Summary of NSF/ANSI 177 Standard
This standard is particularly important for consumers sensitive to chlorine, ensuring that they have access to shower filtration systems that effectively reduce chlorine levels in their shower water. For manufacturers, compliance with NSF/ANSI 177 provides a respected benchmark of quality and performance, helping to establish consumer trust in their products.
If chlorine removal is important to you, focus on products tested to NSF/ANSI 177 standards. As a consumer, you have confidence that you get the product you paid for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “NSF/ANSI 177” certified mean on a shower filtration product?
It means the product was tested and verified to comply with NSF/ANSI 177 standard. It should remove chlorine from shower water, withstand regular water pressure while in use, and include documentation detailing the certification.
What is NSF/ANSI?
NSF International (formerly National Sanitation Foundation) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) work together to protect public health and safety by creating and verifying standards for food, water, and consumer goods.
What if a shower filtration system does not have NSF/ANSI 177 certification?
A shower filtration system without NSF/ANSI 177 certification has yet to be tested against the standard. This does not mean that the product won’t work as advertised. It means that the NSF/ANSI organizations did not yet verify it as a third-party independent consumer advocate.