NSF/ANSI 61: Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects is an American National Standard that establishes minimum health-effects requirements for the chemical contaminants and impurities that are indirectly imparted to drinking water from products, components and materials used in drinking water systems. This standard does not establish performance, taste and odor, or microbial growth support requirements for drinking water system products, components or materials.
NSF-44 is typical for complete units, not components. NSF-44 is normally used to certify performance parameters like flow rate and efficiency. It requires the unit to follow the exact build design of the certification, thus you cannot change any water contacting components without completing a new certification. Thus most NSF-44 units will be single purpose, such as softener only. You cannot add media like GAC or make any changes to the unit without negating the NSF certification. NSF-61 is far more common as it provides component certification while allowing custom modifications to better treat varying water supplies.
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