California State Water Treatment Device Certification Information

Note to California Residents:

The State of California has adopted its own water treatment device certification program independent of all other states and recognized certification programs. Under this law, it is claimed to be "illegal" to sell a water treatment device making claims of contaminant removal [such as lead, Cryptosporidium (protozoan cysts), pesticides, herbicides, solvents, heavy metals, bacteria and viruses] or makes other health related performance claims, that has not been certified by the State of California, to a resident of California. Click HERE to go the the California Department of Health's web page.

Unfortunately, due to the extreme cost of obtaining and maintaining certification for a complete line of home water treatment products, most smaller water treatment device manufacturers with viable products are unable to participate in the program, making the California market primarily the domain of larger manufacturers with deep pockets. Each and every product and configuration of a product (filter configurations) must be certified separately. If any component is changed (for instance a new faucet option), the unit needs to be re-certified. Further, certification is required even if an absolutely identical product is marketed under a different brand name than an existing certified product. The absurdity of this is obvious, and unfortunately, the program's good intentions result in a large number of good products being excluded from the California market. Ironically, many of the products that are certified by the program are, in our opinion, of lower quality than those available from many of the smaller high-end manufacturers who cannot afford to submit their products for certification.

While the intent of the California certification law may be honorable, the legality of it is questionable at best. Does the State of California truly have the legal right to tell an out-of-state business where they can ship and sell their product, and legal jurisdiction over what their web site must say? It also seems to be an infringement on the California consumers freedom of choice - "Big Brother" knows best. What about a California resident traveling to another state and purchasing a "non-certified" water filter there? Will he be stopped at the border?

Because of this tremendous expense, Crystal Clear Supply water filtration products have not been submitted for California certification at this time. Due to the treat of law suit by the State of California, these products are clearly marked on our web pages as such.

Bear in mind - filters (including shower filters) are EXEMPT from this California law if they only make aesthetic claims (chlorine, taste, odor, sediment). We DO have a selection of chlorine / taste and odor water filters (no health claims are made) that are legal for sale to Californians under this exemption. Go HERE to see the selection.

If you have any further questions on this matter, please email us.