CRG Now an NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 Certified Producer


Canada Rubber Group Inc. (CRG) is pleased to announce that it is now an NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 certified producer of cut rubber products for water distribution applications. CRG was awarded the certification after NSF International held an audit at CRG’s Bowmanville production facility.

NSF 61: A Legally-Enforced Standard to Keep our Drinking Water Safe

NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 (Drinking Water System Components - Health Effects) is a legally enforced standard that sets health effects criteria for products used in water distribution and plumbing systems, including gaskets, seals, and other components in order to ensure drinking water safety. Originally developed in the USA by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), the standard is now adopted in the USA and Canada as a national standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Standards Council of Canada (SCC) respectively. Using “compliant” and other non-certified products where they are required can put companies and the public at risk. NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 is commonly referred to in the marketplace as "NSF 61".

“With our certification to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, CRG is now the preferred source for cut rubber products used in water distribution systems,” says Angelo Lyall, Vice President of Business Development. “Customers who are seeking gaskets, seals and other components that are certified as safe for water systems can have confidence in buying from CRG.”

NSF 61 Certified Products do not Leach Contaminants into the Water Supply

Certification to the NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 standard means that CRG can provide customers with an assurance that its certified products are safe for use in drinking water applications. This is in contrast to red rubber and other previously used non-certified materials and non-certified products, which can leach harmful contaminants into the water supply, putting public safety at risk. The products are made from approved materials under a manufacturing process that ensures tight control and traceability of the final product. This is why certification (not just compliance) is critical.

“Customers will note that there is a difference between ‘compliant’ and ‘certified’”, notes Lyall. “Non-certified suppliers may be able to cut products from materials that are certified to the NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 standard, but they cannot promote the final product as certified. CRG, on the other hand, can – our entire production process has been reviewed and certified by NSF, meaning that we can provide the highest assurance of safety in the final product to our customers.”

Beginning in 2020, businesses will see much more enforcement of these standards. With stringent traceability requirements in place, governing bodies such as NSF/ANSI/CAN are able to ensure that businesses are doing their part to keep drinking water safe, and to escalate matters if they are not. This is a new reality in North America, and it’s an adjustment everybody will have to make.

NSF 61 Certified Products now Available from CRG

Products that CRG can supply under its NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 certification include gaskets, seals, O-rings, etc. – in fact, any fabricated rubber product that is used as a component in water distribution and supply systems. This includes rubber products that are used in machinery such as pumps and filtration equipment, flanged joints, piping systems, dispensing systems, etc.

Suitable for use in potable water applications, CRG rubber products that are certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 will provide the cleanest and safest option for drinking water and wastewater purposes. Because these products will not leach harmful contaminants and lead into the water supply, they will ensure consumer safety.

All cut rubber products that CRG manufactures are made using the latest CNC production equipment in our ISO 9001-certified facility. All products we manufacture are made to customer specifications and tolerances. We are equally adept at handling low-volume as well as large-volume orders, and emergency service is available upon request.

To find out more about the NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 cut rubber products that CRG can supply, please contact our sales team at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.