Sanitary systems used in the food, dairy, and beverage industries demand the highest levels of cleanliness and safety. Among the many regulations that govern hygienic equipment, 3A sanitary valves play a vital role. These valves meet the 3A standards, a set of sanitary guidelines designed to minimize the risk of contamination. If you’re a manufacturer, engineer, or distributor in food processing or pharmaceutical sectors, understanding 3A certification and its impact on sanitary valves is essential.
3A Certification is a widely recognized symbol of compliance with 3-A Sanitary Standards, developed to ensure that equipment used in hygienic processing is cleanable, safe, and designed to prevent contamination. Managed by 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSI), these standards apply to equipment that comes into contact with dairy and other consumable products.
To earn the 3A symbol, manufacturers must undergo an independent Third-Party Verification (TPV) process. The equipment is tested against specific 3A standards, and only upon meeting strict criteria can it be labeled as 3A certified.
Sanitary valves control the flow of fluids and prevent contamination in processing systems. When these valves are 3A certified, it ensures they meet stringent hygiene, cleanability, and material requirements.
Key reasons why 3A sanitary valves matter:
Enhanced product safety: Prevents bacterial growth and cross-contamination.
Easy cleaning: Designed for Clean-In-Place (CIP) or Clean-Out-of-Place (COP) systems.
Regulatory compliance: Helps processors meet FDA, USDA, and EU sanitary standards.
Consumer confidence: Certification assures quality, reliability, and safety.
To qualify as a 3A sanitary valve, the product must meet several requirements under specific 3A standards, including:
Material compliance: All wetted surfaces must be made of FDA-compliant materials, such as 316L stainless steel.
Surface finish: The internal finish must be smooth (≤32 μin Ra) to prevent microbial buildup.
Drainability: The valve must allow for complete drainage when installed properly.
Cleanability: The design must support full cleaning access, either via CIP or COP.
No harborage points: All parts must be free from crevices and threads in contact with product.
Want to explore the key sanitary valve standards beyond 3A? Check out our detailed article: 3 Key Standards of Sanitary Valves You Should Know
A part is considered non-3A compliant if it fails to meet any of the specific criteria laid out in the applicable 3A standard. Common reasons for non-compliance include:
Use of non-approved materials
Rough internal finishes
Incomplete draining
Designs that allow for product entrapment
Lack of verification from a Third-Party Evaluator
Using non-compliant parts in food or dairy processing can lead to serious health risks, regulatory penalties, and brand damage.
To ensure you’re using a genuine 3A certified sanitary valve, follow these steps:
Look for the 3A symbol: Only equipment that has passed TPV can legally display the 3A symbol.
Check the 3-A SSI Directory: Visit https://www.3-a.org and use their searchable directory to confirm whether the valve or manufacturer holds an active 3A certificate.
Ask for documentation: A legitimate supplier will provide TPV reports or certificates on request.
Review technical datasheets: They should mention compliance with the applicable 3A standard number.
EFUN is a trusted manufacturer of 3A sanitary valves, dedicated to providing hygienic and durable solutions for fluid handling. Here’s why professionals choose EFUN:
Certified quality: EFUN valves are independently verified and listed under current 3A certification standards.
Precision engineering: Designed for optimal flow, cleanability, and long-lasting performance.
Material integrity: Constructed using FDA-compliant materials and polished to 3A finish standards.
Application expertise: EFUN supports custom requirements across dairy, food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.
Global reliability: With clients in over 50 countries, EFUN’s valves are trusted worldwide for their performance and compliance.
Choosing the right sanitary valve isn’t just about flow control—it’s about protecting product integrity, meeting industry standards, and ensuring consumer safety. By selecting 3A certified sanitary valves, especially from reliable brands like EFUN, you align with the highest levels of hygiene and trust in the industry.
For processing environments where cleanliness is critical, 3A sanitary valves are not optional—they are essential.
