Why is the Black Berkey Water Filter Not Available?

At this time Black Berkey water filters are not available due to a U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Stop Sale Order. The EPA issued the order because it determined that the silver in Black Berkey filter was being used as an unregistered pesticide, violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This amended 2022  regulation prevents Berkey from producing or selling replacement Black Berkey filters in the USA until the legal action against the EPA is resolved. 

The Berkey water filter controversy with the EPA revolves around the reclassification of the filters as pesticides, despite them not containing any pesticides themselves. The EPA's reclassification stems from Berkey's ability to remove virus's and other pathogens , which the agency now considers a pesticide-like-function

This has led to a legal dispute between Berkey and the EPA, with Berkey arguing our filtration is purely mechanical and doesn't involve pesticides. The silver in the Berkey silver-enhanced filters is strictly for self sterilization purposes. This helps to prevent mold, algae,  mildew or bacteria build up in the filter.

EPA's Reasoning:

The EPA classifies silver as a pesticide under FIFRA, and Berkey was not registered to use silver in this way. Additionally, the EPA was concerned about Berkey's labeling and claims regarding contaminant reduction. (specifically virus's)

Contesting the Order:

Berkey is in the process of contesting the EPA's order, but until the legal action is resolved, production of Black Berkey filters are halted.  

The EPA has never sought to force register mechanical-type water filters as pesticides until 2022, when the EPA decided to start regulating Berkey’s water filters without warning after more than two decades of indisputably safe manufacture and sale.

Silver in Water Purification

From the Silver Institute

an article about the benefits of silver enhanced filters