Infographic: Finding a drinking water filter

Point of use filters

Point of use, or POU, drinking water filters are used to remove impurities from water where the water is being used. Learn more about POU filters used in filtration systems:

• attached directly to faucets
• inserted into water pitchers and bottles
• inserted into refrigerators for water dispensers and ice makers

How to tell if a POU filter has been certified to reduce lead

The Standards Council of Canada has accredited several third-party certification bodies to evaluate POU drinking water filters for lead reduction. Each certification body uses a registered trademark on certified products. The certification marks table provides the certification bodies' approved marks and the text indicating a filter has been certified for lead reduction capabilities. Some filters can be certified by more than 1 certification body and may have more than 1 certification mark on the packaging.

Source: System Tested and Certified by NSF International against NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for the reduction of lead.

Text equivalent

Certification mark for NSF International. A blue circle with the letters NSF inside.

Source: System Tested and Certified by NSF International against NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for the reduction of lead.

Text equivalent

Certification mark for NSF International independent testing. A blue circle with the letters NSF and words “INDEPENDENTLY CERTIFIED” inside.

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Certification mark for Water Quality Association. A gold circle with the words “Tested and certified under industry standards” inside.

Text equivalent

Certification mark for Water Quality Association independent testing. A gold circle with the letters WQA and words “Tested and certified independently” inside.

Source:

• 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 reduction in the text, or might simply state NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 42 above or below the mark.

Text equivalent

Certification mark for CSA Group. The letters CSA written in the shape of a circle, with the words “drinking water NSF/ANSI 53” right below it.

Source:

• 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 reduction in the text, or might simply state NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 42 above or below the mark.

Text equivalent

Certification mark for CSA Group. The letters CSA written in the shape of a circle, with the words “drinking water B483.1” right below it.

Source: For UL, text must be located underneath the mark. The File No. is a unique product identification number.

Text equivalent

Certification mark for Underwriters Laboratory. A black and white seal with the letters UL certified inside, and a black box with the product identification number is below the seal.

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Certification mark for the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Research and Testing. Black lettering IAPMO R&T inside a shield outline.

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Certification mark for the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, for water-conveying products. Black lettering IAPMO T inside a shield outline.

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Certification mark for the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials for components. Black lettering IAPMO C inside a triangle outline.

Certification for POU drinking water filters

There is no federal requirement for testing or third-party certification in Canada, however some provinces or territories may have testing or third-party certification requirements. We recommend that you look for filters that have been tested by an accredited third-party certification body for lead reduction and particulate reduction (Class I) capabilities against both NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53.

What to look for on filter packaging

You should look for certification marks, NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53 text, and claims of lead reduction and particulate reduction (Class I). All certification marks should have a letter C in the lower left hand corner to designate that they are accredited in Canada.

Where certification marks and standards text are located

You can find the certification marks on the filter or on the package. NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53 text will be under or near a certification mark. If lead reduction and particulate reduction (Class I) aren't specifically mentioned in the text, you can find information:

• in a table on the packaging
• in the certifier's online product listing directory
• on the performance data sheet located on the manufacturer's website or inside the filter box or other packaging (see the example)

• Claim of lead reduction
• Note that ppb and µg/L are equivalent methods of measurement
• Claim of particulate reduction (Class I)

These systems have been tested according to NSF/ANSI Standard 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 Standard 401, 42 and 53.

Additional resources

• Health Canada's water talk series
• Understanding NSF/ANSI Standard 53

Questions

• For questions about a filter: Contact the product manufacture