Diswashers that kill 99.9 percent of bacteria during a sanitizing cycle can be certified by the NSF.
Originally founded in 1944 as the National Sanitation Foundation, the NSF is non-profit private organization dedicated to setting standards, education and product certification. It sets standards for appliances and then tests products before certifying compliance. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., The organization operates internationally through collaborations with the World Health Organization. The National Sanitation Foundation should not be confused with the National Science Foundation that certifies scientific research processes.
NSF Mark
The NSF uses a number of marks -- which all look very similar -- with the letters NSF contained in a circle. The design uses blue or black ink and may include white letters on a dark background or dark letters on a white background. The label can also include the words independently registered or independently certified in English, French or Spanish.
Dishwashers
NSF standards for dishwashers concentrate on sanitation standards in an effort to control or limit food poisoning cases. Certification standards require the killing of 99.9 percent of bacteria on plates or utensils when cleaned with the appliance's sanitizing cycle.
Clothes Dryers
Standards applied by the NSF to clothes driers also deal with sanitation. In order to be certified, the dryer must kill 99.9 percent of bacteria on clothes without carrying any of the microbial contamination to future loads.
Clothes Washers
Two sets of NSF standards exist for clothes washers. The first standard, P172, requires the clothes washer to sanitize the clothes by killing any microorganisms present. Protocol P351 includes a 95 percent reduction in allergens such as dust mites and pet dander.
Other Appliances
The NSF sets standards associated with sanitation and health safety. It does not set standards for appliances such as stoves, microwaves or refrigerators. It does set standards for less common household appliances such as composting or incinerating toilets and some kitchen products such as cutting boards and food storage containers.
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