NSF REG4 Certification Offers Manufacturers a New Pathway to UK Water Regulations Compliance

SABIC is the first materials manufacturer to earn new NSF REG4 mark

ZAVENTEM, Belgium, January 21, 2020 – NSF has introduced NSF REG4, an independent certification program that enables manufacturers of plumbing products and materials to demonstrate compliance with the UK’s Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations of 1999[1] and with equivalent water regulations in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

NSF REG4 certifies mechanical products and non-metallic materials that are in contact with drinking water, including:

• Valves, backflow prevention devices, taps, mixers, shower heads, pipes and fittings, tanks, cisterns and water meters
• Rubbers, coatings, cements, resins and sealants

“NSF REG4 certification is the new reference scheme for the UK market. Just like in many other parts of the world, manufacturers must comply with country-specific regulations to sell their products. NSF’s expertise in the water industry has allowed us to work in total transparency with the UK water industry, regulators and trade associations to develop the NSF REG4 certification scheme that enables a route to compliance,” said Tarik Bellahcene, Managing Director of Water Programs, EMEA at NSF.

The certification program offers several benefits and creates value for manufacturers looking to introduce or sell products in the UK, including:

• An audit-based program to verify compliance and sustain quality products through better control of the supply chain. As part of the certification process, production facilities undergo annual audits to review processes and systems based on the NSF REG4 certification requirements.
• Timely access to the UK market. NSF can specify testing without waiting weeks for WRAS review. NSF’s independent certification decision immediately following product testing allows manufacturers to see shorter timeframes for product listing and market access.

All REG4 product testing is conducted at NSF’s International ISO/IEC 17025-accredited, water laboratory in Oakdale, Wales, UK. NSF’s certification program in Wales is also ISO/IEC 17065 accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service). This international standard contains requirements for the competence, consistent operation and impartiality of product, process and service certification bodies.

Manufacturers understand the importance and safety benefit of having their products independently tested and certified by an accredited certifier such as NSF. SABIC’s Specialties business recently received NSF REG4 certification for several grades of its NORYL™[2] resin, making them the first material manufacturer to earn the NSF REG4 certification mark.

“We recognise the important role that increasingly robust certifications play to help ensure safe drinking water for consumers,” said William Wan, Global Business Director, NORYL™ Resins, SABIC. “That is why we go above and beyond to meet the standards of organisations such as NSF. The new certification scheme for the UK provides our customers with an extra measure of confidence that the materials SABIC supplies meet rigorous compliance standards. We are pleased and proud to be the first materials producer to earn the NSF REG4 certification as it aligns with our view that stronger certification processes provide a direct benefit to the industry and consumers.”

A list of all products certified to NSF REG4 can be found in the NSF listings.

For more information on the NSF REG4 certification program, visit the NSF REG4 web page or contact nsfreg4@nsf.org.

 Media contact:

For media inquiries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, contact Jessica van de Gucht at jvandegucht@nsf.org or +32.2.761.7418. For media inquiries in North America, contact Fran LeFort at media@nsf.org or +1.734.773.4253.

 About NSF

NSF is celebrating 75 years of protecting and improving human health. The global public health organization facilitates standards development, and tests and certifies products for the food, water, health sciences and consumer goods sectors to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment. Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. With operations in 180 countries NSF is a Pan American Health Organization and a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre on Food Safety, Water Quality and Indoor Environment. For more information visit www.nsf.org or https://www.nsfinternational.eu. NSF provides risk assessments, testing, inspection and certification services for the water industry from source to tap. NSF facilitated the development of the American National Standards for all materials and products that treat or come in contact with drinking water to help protect public health and the environment and minimize adverse health effects. In 1990, the U.S. EPA replaced its own drinking water product advisory program with these NSF standards.

About SABIC

SABIC is a global leader in diversified chemicals headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The company manufactures on a global scale in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, making distinctly different kinds of products: chemicals, commodity and high-performance plastics, agri-nutrients and metals. They support their customers by identifying and developing opportunities in key end markets such as construction, medical devices, packaging, agri-nutrients, electrical and electronics, transportation and clean energy. In 2018 SABIC recorded a net profit of US$ 5.7 billion. Sales revenues for 2018 totalled US$ 45 billion while total assets stood at US$ 85 billion. Production in 2018 was 75.3 million metric tons. SABIC has more than 33,000 employees worldwide and operates in around 50 countries. Fostering innovation and a spirit of ingenuity, the company has 11,738 global patent filings and has significant research resources with innovation hubs in five key geographies – USA, Europe, Middle East, South Asia and North Asia.

[1] Source: Legislation.gov.uk, The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, UK Statutory Instruments, 1999 No. 1148, Part II, Regulation 4.

[2] SABIC and brands marked TM are trademarks of SABIC or its subsidiaries or affiliates.