The U.S. Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (Aham), in partnership with the manufacturers of 17 leading refrigerator brands, has announced a campaign to educate consumers on the risk of unknowingly buying counterfeit and deceptively labeled water filters for refrigerators. The campaign, titled Filter It Out, provides information and resources to assist consumers in their search for replacement filters that are reliable. “Counterfeit and deceptively labeled filters are sold every day through various online channels – said AHAM President and CEO, Joseph M. McGuire -. In many cases, the filters appear identical to brand-name products, but do not meet the safety and structural standards that consumers, manufacturers and regulators expect”. “The coalition supporting this campaign underscores the value and potential it brings – added Jill Notini, AHAM Vice President of Communications & Marketing, noting that the participating companies include Amana, Beko, Blomberg, Bosch, Electrolux, Frigidaire, Gaggenau, GE, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, LG, Maytag, Miele, Samsung, Sub-Zero Wolf, Thermador and Whirlpool -. All agree that the risks to consumers posed by counterfeit and deceptive water filters must be better understood so consumers can avoid bringing potential harm to their appliances, homes, and most importantly, their families”. Aham said that independent testing, as well as testing by manufacturers, shows that installing counterfeit or deceptively labeled water filters into refrigerators can result in failure to remove contaminants from consumers’ drinking water. In addition, poor fit for individual refrigerators may damage the refrigerator and the kitchen, if leaks occur. Counterfeit and deceptively labeled water filters do not contain the same technologies as devices certified by refrigerator manufacturers and often fail to include key filter components needed to keep water clean. Most are not tested to specific industry standards – NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI 53 – and may not properly fit the appliance as claimed.
