Navigating the regulatory landscape of chemical storage can be challenging. Terms like NSF certification, FDA approval, and FDA compliance often get used interchangeably, but they mean very different things. Understanding these distinctions is essential when selecting a chemical storage tank that meets your operational and regulatory requirements.
NSF International (National Sanitation Foundation—distinct from the National Science Foundation) is a global, independent organization dedicated to public health and environmental safety. In partnership with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), NSF established NSF/ANSI Standard 61 (NSF-61), which certifies products for use in drinking water systems. If you manufacture, sell, or distribute water treatment or distribution products in North America, NSF-61 certification is typically mandatory.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is a federal agency tasked with safeguarding public health through oversight of food safety, pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, tobacco products, and related industries.
Here's a critical fact: No chemical storage tank can be "FDA approved." FDA approval applies exclusively to food, drugs, and their additives—not to storage containers. If a tank manufacturer claims their tanks are FDA approved, they're either misinformed or misleading you. Don't hesitate to ask for proof.
What matters is FDA compliance. Equipment used in food processing, including storage tanks, must comply with FDA requirements outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). When evaluating storage solutions, always ask whether tanks are FDA compliant or meet FDA requirements—not whether they're "approved."
The FDA and CFR establish guidelines for food and beverage storage under Title 21, Parts 176-177, which specify acceptable resins, additives, and tank composition standards. Poly Processing offers resins that are fully compliant with FDA/CFR Title 21, Parts 176-177 specifications, with detailed information available in our resin technical data sheets.
Poly Processing's high density crosslinked polyethylene, our engineered OR-1000 resin system, and all associated fittings have earned NSF testing and certification. These innovative resin systems dramatically extend the service life of tanks in oxidizing chemical applications, delivering superior cost-effectiveness.
The OR-1000 system represents a breakthrough for facilities that store oxidizing chemicals. By eliminating the guesswork in tank selection, it reduces the risks and maintenance expenses associated with FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) or high-density linear polyethylene tanks. With exceptional value, longevity, strength, and durability, the OR-1000 System handles virtually any chemical while delivering long-term performance.
Our crosslinked polyethylene resin and all fittings carry NSF certification, and NSF-certified system solutions are available from all three Poly Processing production facilities.
For decades, stainless steel dominated food and beverage storage. Many businesses avoided polyethylene solutions, out of a concern that porous resins might permit leaching or bacterial growth. However, modern resin technology has revolutionized the landscape. Today's polyethylene tanks deliver FDA/CFR-compliant storage with tremendous cost advantages.
Food and beverage industry leaders now benefit from the economic value and seamless one-piece construction that Poly Processing polyethylene tanks provide.
Our HDXLPE tanks serve diverse roles across food and pharmaceutical industries, including but not limited to:
Are you searching for a cost-effective, one-piece, NSF-certified or FDA/CFR-compliant storage system for your food or beverage operation? Let's discuss how our proven solutions can meet your specific requirements while delivering long-term value and reliability.