NSF International Receives Approval from the California Energy Commission to Perform Energy Efficiency Testing for the Energy Star Program

Ann Arbor, Mich. (Vocus) May 7, 2010

NSF International has received approval to conduct energy efficiency testing for commercial refrigerators and freezers in support of the Energy Star enhanced program from the California Energy Commission (CEC) and is now able to verify energy claims for this equipment. The Energy Star program currently requires refrigeration equipment manufacturers seeking to use the Energy Star logo to submit test results from an approved laboratory, such as NSF International.

Energy Star is a joint program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program saves consumers money and protects the environment by encouraging the use of energy efficient products and practices. The U.S. EPA has proposed that all commercial foodservice equipment manufacturers seeking certification be required to submit test results from an approved lab under the enhanced Energy Star program.

Initially, NSF will focus on providing energy efficiency testing services for the refrigeration industry. Eligible products will include reach-in, roll-in, or pass-through units; merchandisers; under-counter units; milk coolers; back bar coolers; bottle coolers; glass frosters; deep well units; beer-dispensing or direct draw units; and bunker freezers. NSF will soon expand this service to verify energy efficiency claims of other commercial foodservice equipment, such as dishwashers and hot food serving equipment.

As a leading developer of foodservice equipment standards and certification programs, NSF also is able to provide sanitation testing and certification for refrigerators and freezers. NSF International can provide a one-stop shop for energy efficiency testing, sanitation testing and certification, which can help save manufacturers time and money.

NSF Internationals sanitation testing and certification program (NSF/ANSI Standard 7 Sanitation Requirements for Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers) covers materials, design, manufacturing, construction, and performance of commercial refrigerators and freezers and their components. The energy efficiency verification process requires performance testing and data verification by an approved laboratory. Appliances that meet all Energy Star energy efficiency guidelines and NSF/ANSI Standard 7 can bear both the Energy Star and NSF logos.

NSF International has a 65-year history in developing food equipment standards, and testing and certifying food equipment, said Nancy Culotta, NSF International Vice President. This approval from CEC to conduct energy efficiency testing now enables NSF to bundle Energy Star efficiency testing with sanitation certification, resulting in both time and cost savings.

The EPA requires all organizations conducting efficiency testing for Energy Star Certification to be approved by the California Energy Commission or the Standards Council of Canada. NSF International followed a rigorous application and auditing process to earn CEC approval. The audit process verified that NSF has the proper procedures and credentials in place to conduct energy efficiency testing. NSF will undergo annual audits through CEC to maintain approval. NSF is also pursuing approval from the Standards Council of Canada for energy efficiency testing.

For more information on NSF Internationals energy efficiency programs, visit http://www.nsf.org/info/energytesting , call (+1) 734-913-5795 or email energytesting(at)nsf(dot)org.

For more information on NSFs food equipment certification services, visit http://www.nsf.org/info/food_equipment .

About NSF International: NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, certifies products and writes standards for food, water and consumer goods to minimize adverse health effects (http://www.nsf.org ). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide and operates in more than 120 countries. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment.

NSF led the development of most American national food equipment standards. NSFs Food Equipment Certification Program, based on those standards, is a voluntary conformity assessment program that includes testing, certification and production facility audits to verify compliance. This evaluation includes examining the materials coming into contact with food and reviewing the construction design against the standard requirements to ensure cleanability and prevent the harborage of bacteria.

The NSF Certification Mark on a food equipment product confirms that NSF has assessed and certified its conformity to the standard. The production facility is audited annually as part of the certification process. When applicable, performance testing is conducted to ensure the equipment operates as required and maintains proper temperature.

Additional NSF services include sustainable standards development and product certification, environmental claims verification, greenhouse gas verification, footprinting and environmental management systems registration; training and education; safety audits for the food and water industries and management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR).

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