More to the Story
There’s a following for the popular water filter brand, Berkey. Recently though, it’s nearly impossible to find replacement filters. It begs the question, why would such a successful product, Black Berkey Filters, dry up and practically vanish overnight? Where did all the Berkey filters go?
The truth is, the formulation of the filter is still in use, but from a new unrelated company named BOROUX.
“The formulation of the filters is the same according to its manufacturer,” states Parker Emerson, Brand Director for BOROUX, “but what makes BOROUX water filters a different product is that the filter makes different claims regarding the filter’s capabilities.”
Though it may sound as simple as a change in marketing, the complex situation involves a federal law called the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
FIFRA was signed into law in 1947. This law governs the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides in the United States. With certain exceptions, a pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest (or certain other designated uses). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the governing body that enforces this law.
Related: Understanding Industry Regulations
Black Berkey Filters were brought to market in the early 2000’s. JEI was a large dealer for Berkey products. Clearbrook was the formulator of the carbon based filters.
Problem
While it may seem surprising to categorize a water filter alongside chemicals like DEET or atrazine, FIFRA’s definition of pesticide is quite broad. Without proper compliance, the EPA has the authority to stop the sale of such products.
In late 2022 and early 2023, the EPA issued several Stop Sale, Use or Removal Orders (SSUROs) across the supply chain for Berkey products alleging certain non-compliance with FIFRA. The first stop sale was on JEI, a company founded by Todd Emerson of Pueblo, Colorado. Clearbook was also issued a SSURO.
The abrupt halt in business devastated Todd and JEI, leading to the lay off of more than half of the JEI employees. Having no other options and desperate to save his family business, Todd started delving into FIFRA regulations details and how it impacts the water filter industry.
The enforcement of the law felt sudden, but come to find out, these regulations had been in place for years.
JEI made every effort to comply with the requirements the EPA set forth.
Solution
As a result of major business impediment, JEI and Clearbrook worked together to create EPA-compliant filters, using the same formulation, and adding new patent pending innovations to improve the functionality. This new filter is the BOROUX foundation filter, rigorously tested by a third party to verify performance.
“EPA made it clear that the issue was not with the filter’s ingredients or materials, but with the claims being made,” explains Emerson, “through focusing the claims we can continue to provide consumers with high-quality filters they can trust.”
The BOROUX foundation filters use the same formulation that was used for the Black Berkey Filters. The major difference to make them compliant, being the claims. The BOROUX foundation filters are not intended to filter microorganisms. The BOROUX foundation filter uses silver, which is a registered pesticide, as an antimicrobial agent, to prevent the filter from degrading while treating municipal tap water.
JEI is the parent company to BOROUX, and pivoted BOROUX from a drinkware brand to a water filter brand in late 2023.
Related: The Beginning of BOROUX
So, now what? How to find black activated carbon water filters?
Today, consumers can find the filter formulation in the market under the brand name BOROUX, which are not intended to filter microorganisms.
Under the careful stewardship of BOROUX, customers get what they’ve been requesting for years; verified testing, certifications, and transparency. The BOROUX filters are FIFRA-compliant and available for purchase.
The silver–lining to the strife and stress? The BOROUX team now has the hard-knocks experience to thrive in the water filter industry for years to come.
Disclaimer:
BOROUX is not in any way affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Berkey. References to Berkey products in this release are merely to explain changes in the availability of certain filters.
