California regulators have decided not to require certification of equipment that claims to remove chlorine taste and odor. At issue was the interpretation of the federal Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproduct Rule, which sets a new primary drinking standard for residual chlorine. In an initial assessment of the rule, department officials said that it would transform aesthetic chlorine removal claims into health claims. Any point-of-use or point-of-entry equipment making such a claim sold in the state would be subject to California's water treatment device certification requirements.

After evaluating information submitted by the Water Quality Association (WQA), Lisles, Ill., the department decided to exempt such claims.