Founded in 1944, NSF International is committed to protecting and improving human health on a global scale. NSF International is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides standards development, product certification, auditing, education and risk management for public health and the environment. Manufacturers, regulators and consumers alike look to NSF International for the development of public health standards and certification that help protect the world's food, water, health and consumer products.

History
NSF International was founded from the University of Michigan's School of Public Health as the National Sanitation Foundation to standardize sanitation and food safety requirements 66 years ago. The transparent, consensus-based process established to develop NSF International's first standards regarding the sanitation of soda fountain and luncheonette equipment, became the process by which NSF International developed other public health and safety standards. To date, NSF has developed more than 75 public health and safety American National Standards. As NSF expanded services beyond sanitation and into new international markets, the name was changed to NSF International in 1990. NSF continues to provide services in the areas of food, water, environment and consumer products.

NSF International is an accredited, third-party certification body that tests and certifies products to verify they meet these public health and safety standards. Products that meet these standards bear the NSF Mark, which is respected by consumers, manufacturers, retailers and regulatory agencies at the local, state, federal and international level.

Widely recognized for its scientific and technical expertise in the health and environmental sciences, NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. NSF operates more than 165,000 square feet of state-of-the-art laboratory space and serves companies in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 1,200-plus staff includes microbiologists, toxicologists, chemists, engineers, environmental and public health professionals.

Mission
NSF International is dedicated to being the leading global provider of public health and safety-based risk management solutions while serving the interests of all stakeholders, namely the public, the business community and government agencies.