SEOUL -- NSF, a leading testing and certification organization in the water industry, announced that PPI PIPE Co. Ltd. (“PPI PIPE”), a South Korean pipe manufacturer, has become the first company to add the NSF “+ PFAS Tested” designation to their existing NSF/ANSI/CAN 61: Drinking Water System Components - Health Effects and NSF/ANSI 14: Plastics Piping System Components and Related Materials certification for their PVC pipe and fittings. PPI PIPE achieved this milestone by passing NSF’s in-house testing for seven different PFAS compounds, including six that are EPA regulated.

NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 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. The 2024 version of the standard features an expanded test battery for certain fluorinated materials that includes seven PFAS compounds, six of which are regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

NSF/ANSI 14 establishes minimum physical, performance, health effects, quality assurance, marking and record-keeping requirements for plastic piping components and related materials.

“Known as ‘forever chemicals,’ PFAS could pose a serious threat to human health and ecosystems, and South Korea is no exception,” said Agnes HyeJung Lee, President, Overseas Business Division at PPI PIPE. “For PPI PIPE, obtaining this optional designation is not just about compliance, but also about proactively addressing pressing environmental concerns and supporting relevant announcements made by the Ministry of the Environment. By producing safer products, we can help related industries adopt safer alternatives. I believe this milestone sets a new benchmark for responsible industry practices.”

“NSF is proud to recognize PPI PIPE as the first client to receive the + PFAS Tested designation,” said Won Kang, Regional Director for East Asia & Director of Water for APAC, at NSF. “Across the globe, PFAS contamination is an increasingly critical concern. PPI PIPE’s accomplishment underscores their commitment to exceeding standard testing requirements for PFAS in PVC pipes and fittings, ultimately contributing to the advancement of safer drinking water. We look forward to collaborating with more organizations in the collective mission to reduce PFAS in our environment.”

“We are pleased to congratulate PPI PIPE on obtaining the world’s first listing of + PFAS Tested designation,” said Jyoti Bhasin, Managing Director of APAC, NSF. “The + PFAS Tested designation showcases NSF’s commitment to tackle current PFAS-related challenges in the market, and we believe this milestone achievement by PPI PIPE will help increase the public awareness of the serious PFAS issue and the associated health risks.”