Programs like Energy Star and the American Water Works Association’s Water Wiser initiative have become increasingly pervasive in recent years demonstrating consumers’ increasing support for the environment. These and other conservation initiatives continue to grow in scope and in their influence over consumers’ purchasing decisions.

These broad trends in environmental conservation have also changed the consumer’s perception of modern manufacturing of clothes washers. New machines are expected to use far less water and energy and, typically, less abrasive detergents. Despite these changes in the engineering and use of modern washing machines, consumers still expect their washing machines to clean and sanitize clothes with the same quality and functionality as before.

How can manufacturers continue the trend of efficiency and still ensure their appliances are performing as promised? And how can energy-efficient washers provide the sanitization necessary to meet demands of customers, especially those with small children or compromised immune systems? A new protocol from NSF International can help.

NSF International’s Protocol P172, “Sanitization Performance of Residential and Commercial, Family-Sized Clothes Washers,” combines three sets of well-established provisions —  those of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy — under one protocol to ensure that energy and water efficiency are maintained without sacrificing quality, power or sanitization.

Protocol P172 allows manufacturers to address consumer concerns and perceptions of energy and water conservation while ensuring consistent product quality and sanitization performance. The protocol provides testing and auditing procedures and certification requirements, making it easy to implement, and allowing businesses to accomplish successful sanitization while building customer loyalty and confidence.

The protocol was developed by a panel of experts including representatives from the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silliker Laboratories, Stilwell Consulting, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) and the Centre for Research on Environmental Microbiology (CREM).   

Testing and audits

NSF International developed the microbiological testing and certification program to gauge the effect of decreased energy and water usage on laundry sanitization. The sanitation performance test applies harmful and opportunistic, yet ubiquitous bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae) to denim swatch samples.

Preliminary microbial counts for these samples are taken; the samples are then mixed with typical household laundry and the load is run through the specified sanitation cycle according to manufacturers’ instructions. Following the sanitization cycle, microbial counts for the denim swatches are analyzed and calculated. Negative control samples (those without test microorganisms applied) are also tested to measure carryover of bacteria from one sanitization cycle to the next.

This initial testing phase of the protocol certification is then reinforced by annual audits. Third-party auditors, with several years of experience, survey all production locations and examine machines, as well as product “use and care” guides, at least annually. Understanding additions and modifications are made over the course of a typical product’s life cycle.  Auditors examine these changes to ensure the machines’ sanitation capacity is retained. If, for example, components of a machine’s heating elements are modified, further examination is conducted to make sure this change does not affect laundry sanitization.

Certification requirements

Protocol P172 identifies three sets of requirements:

• Materials, design and construction.
• Performance.
• Manufacturers specification.

Each set of requirements will ensure consistent manufacturing of quality appliances that successfully sanitize clothes. Using these requirements — most of them already widely used and built into the manufacturing process — will guide the OEM in the design and construction of its appliances to assist in the certification process.

Materials, design and construction requirements are likely already met within the OEM’s manufacturing facility. NSF auditors verify that each facility meets sanitary equipment design requirements to prevent accumulation of commonplace dirt and other debris. The protocol further specifies smooth, easily cleanable exposed exterior surfaces and corrosion-resistant water contact surfaces.

To meet the protocol’s performance requirements, the washer’s sanitization cycle must be shown not only to sanitize laundry, but also to provide a sanitized machine for subsequent uses. Each machine’s sanitation cycle must reduce detectable Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria by 99.9 percent. Because carryover of organisms from one laundry load to another is also a concern, the protocol requires these bacteria not be detected on laundry washed after the contaminated load.

The manufacturers specification requirements guide the OEM’s product labeling and literature. A manufacturer’s data plate must be permanently attached and specify the manufacturer’s name and model number. Certified products should bear the NSF Mark and protocol information as well. All instructions and product literature should educate consumers that the product’s sanitization cycle (not any other cycle) meets the protocol’s sanitization requirements.

Benefits of certification

Compliance with the protocol enables appliance manufacturers to keep up with industry trends and consumer demand for energy and water usage efficiency while maintaining sanitization standards. It ensures that clothes washers can use less energy and water, while preventing contamination and maintaining high sanitization standards.

The protocol’s annual audits not only maintain certification, but also provide continued consumer confidence and quality assurance. Auditors provide an impartial set of eyes to identify any flaws in an OEM’s manufacturing process or design elements. If a problem is identified, auditors provide expert counsel to help the company find a solution.

More than these benefits, certification under P172 allows the appliance manufacturer’s product and marketing materials to bear the NSF mark — a long-standing, proven means of quality assurance for customers.

Sidebar: NSF Engineering and Research

The Engineering and Research Services (ERS) group at NSF provides health and environmental testing or consulting services. The ERS staff has years of experience in developing and performing test protocols for “non-routine” commercial, municipal, and government projects. These services include:

• Protocol certification program.
• Marine pollution prevention.
• Research and development studies and testing.
• Additional Certifications against non-NSF Standards.
• Testing for new products (proprietary studies).
• Development and/or implementation of test protocols and procedures.
• Government sponsored studies.
• Technical support for unusual/non-routine requests.
• Data acquisition set-up.Special reports.Environmental assessment evaluations.