Is Your Plastic Product NSF Certified?
Founded in 1944, NSF International sets global public health and certification standards for food, water, consumer products and the environment. As an independent, accredited organization, the NSF's mission is to audit, educate and provide risk management for the protection of people and environment. With offices around the world, they truly are the global ambassadors for public health and safety. And over the span of 70 years, the NSF certification has become a must for any plastics product.
Instant Credibility
NSF certifications for plastics are not just handed out to everyone who applies — they're earned. This means there is an immediate validation that comes with the NSF mark for plastic products. As the industry's most widely recognized and respected certification mark, it provides instant credibility as seen by consumers, retailers and even the competition. It also helps your product comply with regulatory standards and validate sustainable product claims.
Available Tests and Certifications
NSF tests and certifies a variety of plastic materials and resins including PE, PET, PEX, PP, CPVC, and PVC, but your specific industry needs will determine which test or certification is right for you. Do you need to validate sustainability and environmental claims? Does the job require gas piping fit for regulatory and safety standards? Will your bottled water need product and food safety system certification? For all these questions and more, NSF is here.
NSF services a wide range of plastic related industries including plastic pipe and fitting testing, sustainability and environment, biodegradable and compostable, beverages and bottled water, management systems and custom audits. And best of all, they are committed to your success. NSF provides access to their expert teams to assist you with everything from technical and legislative compliance to product development support.
Seven Steps to Validation:
1.    Application and information submission
2.    Product evaluation
3.    Product testing in lab
4.    Manufacturing facility inspection, production confirmation and product sampling
5.    Test results review and acceptance
6.    Contract signed and products listed
7.    Annual plant inspection and retesting
Plastics Color Corporation helps with the NSF Certification Process
When working with Plastics Color, there are three ways to go about submitting plastic colorant and additives for NSF approval. If you prefer a hands off approach, Plastics Color Corporation has a library of colors that are already NSF certified for PP. (If interested, we can give you access to our NSF color palette in our Colors Now app.)Â
By using a colorant that is already NSF certified, you expedite the NSF approval process, which allows you to focus on the other aspects of the NSF process.
Another avenue for NSF certification is to have Plastics Color formulate the perfect color for your application and submit the color to NSF for approval. Once the Plastics Color colorant is NSF certified, this allows Plastics Color to supply the NSF certified colorant information to NSF on your behalf as you submit your product for NSF approval.
The other option is for you (as the product owner) to contact NSF directly, and run through the seven steps mentioned above, once your formulation from Plastics Color is complete. Plastics Color will provide NSF the colorant information on your behalf for easy inclusion with the submission of your product.
And it is important to note, each formulation is created for a specific resin. As with all colorant or additive packages, if you change the resin, Plastics Color will need to change the formulation.
Whites, grays, granites and black are some of the colors that are commonly used with refrigerators, dishwashers, coffeemakers and other kitchen and bathroom appliances that are available right away. Plastics Color can also create custom formulations for NSF approval for trending colors as well. This way you will never miss out on any colors that are trending.
It doesn't matter what industry you are serving, if you are working with plastic, then your product has the potential for NSF certification. It is the ultimate stamp of approval for public health and safety, and provides peace of mind for you and the consumer alike. For more information on NSF International, visit their website today.
MicroBlok is formulated with antimicrobials to help suppress the growth of odor and stain-causing microorganisms on the treated plastic. MicroBlok is not intended as a substitute for good hygiene or to prevent foodborne or infectious illnesses.
