Selling air purifiers and water filters online: certification and germ claims

An air purifier that "kills viruses" is making two claims at once: one about the air, and one about germs. The germ claim can turn the device into a pesticide device under EPA rules. California adds two more layers: air cleaners must be certified for ozone emissions, and water treatment devices that make health claims need state certification.

This page covers California's rules, germ claims, and what Walmart and eBay ask.

What this page covers: air purifiers and ionisers, water filters, pitchers and shower filters, and UV sanitisers.

The short version

• Indoor air cleaning devices sold in California must be certified by the California Air Resources Board for ozone emissions.
• Water treatment devices that make health claims in California need state certification.
• A claim to kill or remove germs or viruses can make a device a pesticide device under EPA rules.
• Walmart asks for truthful air purification claims and treats air purifiers as state-restricted.
• eBay asks for an EPA registration number in the item specific for water purification products.

Which California certifications do air purifiers and water filters need?

California asks for two: ozone certification for indoor air cleaners, and state certification for water treatment devices that make health claims.

• Air cleaners. Indoor air cleaning devices sold in California must be certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for ozone emissions.
• Water treatment devices. Devices that make health claims in California need state certification.

If your product is certified, say so and show the mark. If it is not, check whether you can ship it to California before you list.

When does a germ claim make an air purifier a pesticide device?

A claim to kill or remove germs or viruses can make an air purifier, water filter or UV sanitiser a pesticide device under EPA rules. Our page on pest control rules covers what that means.

eBay asks water purification products to carry an EPA registration number in the item specific.

What does Walmart ask of air purifiers?

Walmart asks for truthful air purification claims and treats air purifiers as state-restricted products.

What should air purifier and water filter listings say and show?

Air purifier and water filter listings should state only what the test reports and labels give:

• State filter ratings, room sizes and certifications only as your test reports and labels give them.
• Leave out drawn effects such as glowing air or germs vanishing, which make claims too.
• Show the certification marks as printed on the product.

How Commicorn helps

• Your marks, as printed. On the Untouched product route your photo's pixels are never redrawn, so certification marks stay exactly as printed.
• Claims that need proof are marked. For Amazon, the keyword step shows a certification keyword, such as one naming NSF, with a line saying a valid certificate is needed.

Questions sellers ask

Do air purifiers need CARB certification?

Yes, to be sold in California. Indoor air cleaning devices sold in California must be certified by the California Air Resources Board for ozone emissions.

Do water filters need certification in California?

Water treatment devices that make health claims in California need state certification.

Can I say my air purifier kills viruses?

Only once you have met what that claim brings with it. A claim to kill or remove germs or viruses can make an air purifier, water filter or UV sanitiser a pesticide device under EPA rules.

Does eBay ask for an EPA number on water purifiers?

Yes. eBay asks water purification products to carry an EPA registration number in the item specific.

Can I show certification marks in my listing images?

Only marks your product holds, shown as printed on the product. If your product is not certified, leave the mark out and check whether you can ship to California before you list.

Before you list

Have your CARB ozone certification, any California water treatment certification, the test reports behind every filter rating and room size, and for a water purification product on eBay the EPA registration number, ready before the listing goes live. On a borderline claim, two things settle it: whether a germ or virus claim makes the device a pesticide device under EPA rules, and California's certification rules, which decide whether you can ship there, both linked below.