Food Safety Endorsement
Green Drain floor drain trap seals are independently endorsed by HACCP International as suitable for use in facilities operating HACCP-based food safety programs. Certificate I-PE-891-GRE-RG-04 covers all 8 models with global scope.
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is the internationally recognized food safety management framework established by the World Health Organization's Codex Alimentarius Commission. It is the global standard for identifying, evaluating, and controlling food safety hazards in food production and handling environments.
HACCP International is an independent certification body based in North Sydney, Australia, that evaluates whether non-food products and equipment are suitable for use in environments operating under a HACCP-based food safety program. Their endorsement is not a general "food safe" label. It means the product has been evaluated through a formal, risk-based hazard analysis and found to pose no food safety risk when used as intended in HACCP-compliant facilities.
Green Drain's HACCP International certificate (I-PE-891-GRE-RG-04) confirms that the floor drain trap seals are "suitable for use in floor drains in facilities that operate a HACCP based Food Safety Programme." This endorsement applies globally, covering all regions, and includes all 8 models in the product line.
HACCP International assigns food zone classifications to certified products based on how the product interacts with food in a facility. Green Drain received the SSZ (Splash or Spill Zone) classification. This is the appropriate classification for a floor drain product because the device sits in areas where food spillage may reach the drain, but the device is not in the direct food product stream.
The four food zone classifications are:
The SSZ classification means Green Drain has been evaluated specifically for the conditions it will encounter in food facility floor drains, where food spillage, wash-down water, and cleaning chemicals may contact the device during normal operations.
HACCP Australia conducted the underlying product evaluation (Project ID: GRE01) using their standard nine-criteria hazard analysis. Each criterion was evaluated independently, and Green Drain passed all nine with no food safety hazards identified.
Evaluators assessed whether the product materials could introduce toxic substances into the food environment. Finding: no hazards from materials. The medical-grade silicone used in the Green Drain valve does not leach harmful substances and is safe for use in food-adjacent applications.
Evaluators assessed whether the product can be effectively cleaned and maintained in a food environment. Finding: the silicone membrane is self-cleaning. High-friction silicone does not collect grime, and the device is cheaply replaceable if cleaning becomes necessary. This design characteristic supports sanitation requirements in HACCP-compliant facilities.
Evaluators identified a positive food safety contribution: Green Drain "prevents drain-breeding flying insects from gaining access" to facility areas. Drain flies are a recognized food safety concern in HACCP programs. Rather than introducing a hazard, the product actively reduces an existing food safety risk.
The remaining six criteria -- consequence of error in application, consequence of error in use, batch/process controls, manufacturer's specifications and controls, operating instructions/packaging claims, and direct contamination of food -- were each evaluated and passed with no hazards identified. The formal conclusion: "The products are suitable for use in the food industry and free from hazards to food safety. Certification is recommended."
HACCP-based food safety management systems are used across every industry that handles, processes, or serves food. The HACCP International endorsement is relevant wherever food safety audits evaluate the suitability of equipment and non-food products used in food environments.
Food processing plants operate under the most rigorous HACCP requirements. Third-party audit programs such as SQF, BRC, and FSSC 22000 all build on HACCP principles. Floor drains in processing areas are classified within the HACCP framework, and the equipment installed in those drains must be demonstrably suitable. HACCP International endorsement provides that documentation.
Learn more about Green Drain for food processing.
Restaurants and commercial kitchens increasingly adopt HACCP-based food safety management, either voluntarily or as required by local health authorities. The HACCP International endorsement supports compliance documentation for food safety audits and health department inspections, complementing the NSF/ANSI 2 certification that many health inspectors look for.
Learn more about Green Drain for restaurants and food service.
Major hotel brands operate food safety programs based on HACCP principles across their global portfolios. HACCP International endorsement with global scope meets the needs of hotel chains that require consistent food safety certification across all properties, regardless of region.
Learn more about Green Drain for hotels and hospitality.
Hospital kitchens and healthcare dining facilities serve immunocompromised populations, making food safety especially critical. HACCP-based food safety programs in healthcare settings evaluate every component of the food preparation environment, including floor drain equipment. The HACCP International endorsement confirms suitability for these high-risk environments.
Learn more about Green Drain for healthcare facilities.
School nutrition programs and university dining operations increasingly follow HACCP principles for food safety management. The endorsement supports procurement documentation and food safety compliance for institutional food service environments.
Learn more about Green Drain for K-12 schools.
Beverage production facilities operate food safety programs that evaluate equipment suitability in production areas. HACCP International endorsement confirms that Green Drain is suitable for floor drains in beverage processing environments where product spillage may contact the drain device.
HACCP International certification addresses a specific question that other certifications do not fully answer: "Will this product create a compliance issue for my HACCP food safety program?" The endorsement provides documented assurance that it will not.
Installing Green Drain in a HACCP-compliant facility will not create an audit finding. The product has been independently evaluated against HACCP food safety criteria and endorsed as suitable, providing documentation that food safety auditors accept during HACCP program reviews. Beyond avoiding hazards, the HACCP hazard analysis specifically noted that Green Drain "prevents drain-breeding flying insects from gaining access to drain areas," meaning it actively reduces a recognized food safety risk rather than simply being neutral.
The HACCP International licence covers "All Regions," providing global scope. Unlike certifications limited to specific countries or jurisdictions, this endorsement is recognized wherever HACCP-based food safety programs operate, making it particularly valuable for multinational food companies and global hotel chains that need consistent certification across markets. HACCP International Director Clive Withinshaw has issued a signed endorsement letter recommending Green Drain to designers, specifiers, operators, plumbers, and QA staff, describing the product as "an excellent effective risk reduction tool" and "a very effective barrier between the superstructure and infrastructure."
Download the signed HACCP International endorsement letter from Director Clive Withinshaw. This document recommends Green Drain to designers, specifiers, operators, plumbers, and QA staff for use in HACCP-compliant food facilities.
HACCP certification for a facility confirms that the facility operates a compliant HACCP-based food safety management system. HACCP International endorsement for a product confirms that the product is suitable for use within those HACCP-certified facilities. They are complementary. A HACCP-certified food facility uses HACCP International endorsed products to maintain the integrity of its food safety program.
SSZ stands for Splash or Spill Zone. It means Green Drain is certified for areas where splashed or spilled food could contact the device, but where the device is not in the direct food product stream. This is the appropriate classification for a floor drain product. The device sits in areas where food spillage may reach the drain during normal kitchen and processing operations. The SSZ classification reflects the actual conditions the product encounters in food facility floor drains.
Yes. The HACCP International licence for Green Drain specifies "All Regions" as the geographic scope. While HACCP International is headquartered in North Sydney, Australia, their endorsement is recognized globally wherever HACCP-based food safety programs operate. HACCP principles originate from the WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission and are the international standard for food safety management.
NSF/ANSI 2 certifies that the product meets food equipment material, design, and construction standards. It is the primary food equipment standard in North America. HACCP International evaluates whether the product is suitable for use in HACCP-based food safety programs through a risk-based hazard analysis. NSF focuses on what the product is made of and how it is constructed. HACCP International focuses on whether the product creates food safety risks in operation. Green Drain holds both, providing comprehensive food environment compliance.
Yes. Third-party food safety audit programs (SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000, and others) evaluate the suitability of non-food products and equipment used in food environments. HACCP International endorsement provides independent, third-party documentation that the product has been evaluated through a formal hazard analysis and found suitable for HACCP-compliant facilities. This is the type of documentation auditors look for when reviewing equipment suitability.
Download the HACCP International endorsement letter directly, or contact us for submittals, specification language, or project-specific food safety documentation.