Did you know…… that faucets are regulated commodities in the USA?
Since faucets are mostly made of brass which contain concentrations of lead and they are made with plastic and rubber that contain other hazardous substances such as toluene. With the recent scares about lead paints in childrens toys from China, it is not hard to imagine things can go wrong with faucets as well.
Faucets are designed to conserve water and are environmentally friendly if they bear the appropriate certification markings. IF you buy a certified product by one of the Nationally Registered and Approved Agencies in America you are buying a product that may be more healthy for you and the environment.
Some of the Certification Requirements for Faucets:
In order to receive a certification a faucet must undergo a(n) amazing array of tests; these tests include but are not limited to: Material Control to prevent contamination and avoid long term health risks. Mechanical Testing to ensure long life and service use A cycle test will require up to 1 million opening and closing of a valve which equates to over 20 years of normal use for a typical household. Faucets are weight tested to ensure appropriate engineering of material thickness and strength of design. Finish Testing for durability of the coating of your new faucet: Faucets are subject to corrosion tests, they are dipped in caustic cleaners and sprayed with concentrations of salt to accelerate material decay and show maintainability of the finish. Faucets are subjected to extremes of hot and cold temperature baths to simulate accelerated wear of mixing hot and cold water. Certification of a faucet is a lengthy and costly process, it may cost a manufacturer up to $15,000 US dollars to properly Risks of buying an Uncertified Faucet…….
Many faucets that are being offered in the marketplace these days, especially over the internet are NOT CERTIFIED for use in the USA. This poses potential risks for you as a consumer and you should ONLY PURCHASE certified products: Here's Why: If you purchase a product with high lead content you may be subjecting yourself and your children (who are especially susceptible to lead) to long term health risks. The same risks apply to plastics and rubbers that do not meet the NSF standards. Finally if the aerator assembly on your faucet is not stamped and certified as required then you may be wasting water and harming the environment. Lastly in the event of a mechanical failure and possible flood damage in your home the insurance company may have the right to deny your claim if you have a product that is not certified in your house that is found to have failed and caused the damage. This would be like driving a car that failed a crash test or installing an electrical appliance that didn't meet the UL standard.
How can I tell if the faucet is certified?
If a faucet is certified, it will be marked accordingly. If a faucet is NOT CERTIFIED, it will bear no markings. The best way to figure this out is start by looking at the aerator, this is where the water comes out of the spout. No markings - no certification… The next place to look is on the back of the spout between the valves or on the deckplate of the faucet. Again, no markings, no certification……. The following markings are the most common: NSF - UPC - C/UPC - IAPMO - TEV - ASME - ASTM
If the faucet does not have any of these markings, or any others, it is our advice to inquire from the manufacturer or seller of the product specifically to see if it is certified. IF IT IS NOT MARKED: the decision to buy and the consequences rest solely upon you. It is not against the law to purchase and install a(n) uncertified product, but there may be long term consequences if you do.
Please do not buy uncertified faucets. Ask the seller!
There’s a reason for the price, remember you get what you pay for.