&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
A Consumer Tool for Identifying Point of Use (POU)
Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead
Point of Use Filters
Point of use, or POU, drinking
water filters are used to
remove impurities from water
at the point that it is actually
being used. Although there
are others, the POU filters
covered in this document
are those used in filtration
systems that are attached
directly to water faucets,
inserted into refrigerators
for water dispensers and
ice makers, or inserted into
water pitchers and bottles.
How do I know if a POU filter has been certified to reduce lead?
There are several American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited third-party
certification bodies that evaluate POU drinking water filters for lead reduction. Each has
a registered trademark that is used on certified products.
Certification bodies require their mark and a statement indicating testing against
NSF/ANSI Standard 53 along with a claim of lead reduction.
We recommend that you also look for filters tested against
NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for particulate reduction (Class I)*.
The table below provides the certification bodies'approved marks and the text that
indicates a filter has been certified for lead reduction capabilities. Some filters can be
certified by more than one certification body and have multiple certification marks.
Certification Mark(s)
ofcNQ/s

Product Listing Directory: info.nsfora/Certified/D WTU/
APMO


Product Listing Directory: old.iaDmo.org/
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Drinking Water
NSF/ANSI 42
Drinking Water
NSF/ANSI 53
Product Listing Directory: csaaroup.ora/testina-
certifjcation/product-listina/
water Quality

Product Listing Directory: waa.ora/Find-Products#/
"L
HEALTH EFFECTS
PERFORMANCE
US
File No.
Note: For UL, text must be
located underneath the mark.
The File No. is a unique product
identification number.
Product Listing Directory: database.
ul.com/cai~bin/XYV/temDlate/
LISEXT/1 FRAME/index.htm I
Text for NSF/ANSI Standards 42 & 53
next to certification marks:
•	Example text on packaging: Tested and Certified
by (name of certification body) against NSF/ANSI
Standards 42 and 53 for the claims specified on
the Performance Data Sheet.
•	Some companies may indicate lead removal
in the text, or might simply state NSF/ANSI
53 or NSF/ANSI 42 above or below the mark.
Is certification required for POU drinking water filters?
There is no mandatory federal requirement for the use of POU drinking water filters
or for testing or third-party certification under the Safe Drinking Water Act. However,
consumers can increase their level of confidence by purchasing filters that have been
tested by an accredited third-party certification body or bodies for lead reduction and
particulate reduction (Class I) capabilities against both NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53.
*Although particulate reduction (Class I) is for aesthetic effects, it is being suggested since some particulates can contain lead.
1
Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only. Any mention of trade names or
commercial products does not constitute EPA endorsement or recommendation for use.
EPA/600/F-18/335 | December 2018

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Certification Marks, Standards Text, and Claims of Reduction on Filter Packaging
Certification marks are detailed in the Table on Page 1. Examples of certification marks, NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53
text, and claims of lead reduction and particulate reduction (Class I) as found on product packaging are shown below.
Claim of Lead
Reduction on
Packaging
Certification
Mark on
i
Packaging
Example Text
for Standards
42 & 53 Next to
Certification Mark
I
r
Claim of
Particulate
Reduction (Class I)
on Packaging
Certifiers
Mark
System Tested and Certified by (name of certification body) against
NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53 for the reduction of the claims
specified on the Performance Data Sheet
Sistema Probado Certificado por (nom de I'organisme de certification)
segun las Normas 42 y 53 NSF/ANSi para la reduccion de io
afirmado especificamente en la Hoja de Dastos Rendimiento.
%/
lM ^
"*: Ultramax Jet Black (OB24), Spa
SUBSTANCE
Overall Percent
Reduction
Influent Challenge
Concentration
U.S. EPA Level'/NSF Maximum
Permissible Product Water
Concentration
NSF/ANSI Standard 53 - Health Effects
Lead pH 6.5
99.5%
150±15ppb
10 ppb '
Lead pH 8.5
99.6%
150±15ppb
lOppb J
"Mercury pH 6.5
95.5%
6±0.6 ppb
2ppt>
Mercury pH 8.5
95.9%
6±0.6ppb
2 ppb
Cadmium pH 6.5
97.4%
30±3 ppb
5 ppb
Cadmium pH 8.5
99.2%
30*3 ppb
5 ppb
Benzene
93.5%
15+1.5 ppb
5 ppb
Asbestos
>99%
55000000+45000000 Rbers/L
99V
NSF/ANSI Standard 401 - Emerging Compounds/Incidental Contaminants
BisphenolA*
95.5%
2000+400 ppt
300 ppl
Estrone*
96.4%
140+28 ppt
20 ppt
Ibuprofen*
94.9%
400±80 ppt
60 ppt
Naproxen*
96.4%
140±28 ppt
20 ppt
Nonyl phenol1
93.5%
1400+280 ppt
200 ppt
NSF/ANSi Standard 42 - Aesthetic Effects




Particulate Reduction Class 1
99.6%
>lOOOOpartides/mL
85%" I
Valid for the following systems: Ultramax Jet Black (OB24). Space
Plus (0B44), Marina (0B47), Monterey (0B50). and Wave (0B53).
Saver (0B21). Amalfi (OB32). Grand Color Series (0836). Pacifica (0B41), Capri (0B43). Mini
These systems have been tested according to NSF/ANSI 401 (for applicable systems), 42 and 53 for reduction of the substances listed. The concentration of each
of the indicated substances in water entering the systems was reduced to a concentration less than or equal to the permissible limit for water leaving the systems,
as specified in NSF/ANSI 401.42 and 53.
Where are the
certification marks and
Standards text located?
The certification marks can
be found on the filter or on
the smallest container in
which the filter is packaged.
NSF/ANSI Standards 42
and 53 text will be located
under or near a certification
mark. If lead reduction
and particulate reduction
(Class I) are not specifically
mentioned in the text,
information can be found
in a table on the packaging,
on the performance data
sheet located inside the
filter packaging or on the
manufacturer's website, or in
the certifier's online product
listing directory (see links in
the table on Page 1).
Additional Information
•	EPA's Lead in Drinking Water Website: epa.aov/around-water-and-drinkina-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinkina-water
•	Understanding NSF/ANSI Standard 53: workinapressuremaa.com/understandina-nsf-ansi-53/
Questions?
•	For questions about a filter: Contact the product manufacturer or see the product listing directories listed on the first page.
•	For questions about this document: Send an email to latham.michelle&epa.aov or shah.manthan@epa.aov.
Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only. Any mention of trade names or
I commercial products does not constitute EPA endorsement or recommendation for use.

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