Go With the Flow: Approved European Hygienic Flowmeters Gain Ccceptance

For EHEDG approval, a very sensitive test method is used to prove whether or not microorganisms can be removed from the interior surfaces of the equipment. This method ensures that, even with all the design criteria stated above, it can be proven once and for all whether or not the equipment is cleanable to a microbial level. EHEDG believes that because of typical flow behavior in certain equipment, it is always better to perform tests with live microorganisms sticking to the wall.

It is evident that 3-A SSI and EHEDG are driving in the same direction, and collaboration between the two organizations bodes well for the improvement and standardization of future sanitary equipment regulations and guidelines. Industry cooperation will bring consensus to achieve technically equivalent hygienic design standards on a scientific and technical basis, thus removing national or regional standards as non-tariff barriers to trade.

The EHEDG guidelines and testing procedures described in this article should demonstrate to U.S. food and beverage processors that the EHEDG stamp of approval is equal to the one given by 3-A SSI and should be accepted as such on flow measurement instrumentation.

Archenhold is the industrial market manager for Flow Technology, Inc. Reach him at (619) 319-7769 or [email protected].

For More Information

• 3-A Sanitary Standards: www.3-a.org.
• European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG): www.ehedg.org.
• National Sanitation Foundation: www.nsf.org.
• European Network for Hygienic Manufacturing of Food: www.hyfoma.com.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: www.fda.gov.