AS/NZS 4020 test for WaterMark certification
AS/NZS 4020 specifies the test methods and requirements for determining the suitability of products for use in contact with drinking water.
Eurofins BioPharma Product Testing New Zealand tests products intended for contact with drinking water to verify that they do not adversely affect water quality. This is a requirement of the WaterMark™ certification application process.
Testing focuses on wetted parts only, and is applicable to metallic and non-metallic products such as pipes, taps, fittings, components, and hot water units, as well as materials with coating, protection, lining, jointing, sealing and lubrication applications in the water supply and plumbing industry.
The hot water tests apply where water has the potential for human consumption, food preparation, utensil washing and oral hygiene. The test reports for the AS/NZS 4020 test are valid for five years.
Principle of test
The product is immersed in, or exposed to, test water in accordance with extraction procedures as outlined for each of the tests for taste, appearance, growth of aquatic micro-organisms, cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and extraction of metals. This includes specific procedures for high temperature tests for end-of-line fittings and water-heating systems, as well as for simulated samples.
Sample requirements
Where a range of products using the same wetted materials and processes is produced, the one with the highest surface area-to-volume ratio in the product range is required for testing. Collaboration with the certifying body is essential to ensure acceptance of the model or size selected to cover the entire range.
Background information on total surface area of each wetted part and/or estimated percentage wetted is essential. The number of samples required will depend on product type, end-usage and tests required.
Please contact us prior to sending samples for testing.
Turnaround time
The full AS/NZ 4020 testing period spans 12 weeks.
The turnaround time for products not requiring growth of aquatic micro-organisms test is six weeks. Interim progress reporting is made available during this period, along with estimated completion dates for the various tests. Where initial failures occur, repeat testing at an additional cost is required using fresh samples of the product to confirm a pass or failure.
Testing protocols
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