Certifications

The Food and Drugs Administration is a government agency, supervised by the U.S Department of health, which is responsible for the implantation of the federal laws concerning food, drugs, and cosmetics. Seals in contcat with food and drugs must comply with rules issued by the FDA.

The United States Pharmacopeia is an independent scientific public health organisation. It issues the official standards for drugs sold and health products manufactured and/or marketed in the US. The USP is one of the most recognised pharmacopeias, which makes it a worldwilde reference.

3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc (3-A SSI) is an American organisation that sets health standards affecting all dairy and food equipments in contact with consumer products from contamination and ensure the cleanability of all surfaces.

The seal must already comply with FDA regulation before being eligible for a 3-A certification.

The NSF is a worldwide known organisation for its certification services related to health and safety. Registration with the NSF ensures that products can be safely used in food environments.

The evaluation includes a toxicological examination, an assessment of the accuracy of the labels and safety data sheets.

The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) is the British approval organisation for the water industry. Tests are conducted in certified laboratories.

Deutsche Vereinigung of Wasserfaches und Gas (DVGW) is a german independent organisation for the self regulations of the water and gas industry in Europe. It publishes the KTW and W270 test standards for elastomers.

The Accréditation de Conformité Sanitaire (ACS) is a French health standard organisation concerning drinkable water. The standard is used for rubber and plastics in contact with drinking water. The criteria are defined in the French AFNOR XP P41-250 standard, parts 1 to 3.

The CEN or European Committee for standardisation is an organisation that harmonises the European standards. Its national members are also members of the International Organisation For Standardisation (ISO). It contributes to the goals set out by the EU and the EFTA countries though the development of European technical, EN standards or euronorms. It publishes for elastomers, EN 681-1 (drinking water), EN 549 and EN 682 (gas service). Thse stabdards are disclosed in France by AFNOR.

Conformité Européenne means "European Conformity", formely EC. The European Union describes its own standards following regulations and determines if substances or products can be used in Europe. Regarding the food compatibility, the CE regulation 1935/2004 describes the differnt standards to be met.

The European Union also publishes the REACH directive (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals), which concerns the substances used in elastomers.