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Last checked: 2026-08-16
The Samsung DA97-17376B — sold as the HAF-QIN/EXP — is NSF 42 and 53 certified under three OEM manufacturer assemblies (NSF DWTU database, checked 2026-08-16). One aftermarket option, the Waterdrop EFF-6045S, is also NSF certified for this slot. The critical difference: the OEM NSF 53 listing covers 18 to 21 contaminants; Waterdrop's NSF 53 (WDS and WDP element variants only) covers three — Cyst, Lead, and Mercury. The base WD-DA97-17376B element carries no NSF 53 certification at all.
What these names refer to
Three kinds of identifiers describe this Samsung filter, and they are easy to mix up:
- DA97-17376B — Samsung's part number for the replacement cartridge (the element you install in the refrigerator).
- HAF-QIN/EXP — Samsung's retail product name for that same cartridge. HAF-QIN/EXP appears in the NSF database in exactly one place: the Handok Clean Tech listing for assembly DA97-08006C-H, where it is listed alongside DA97-17376B as an alternate element designation.
- DA97-08006C-A / -H / [G] / [Pb] — assembly designations (the complete certified filter unit as filed by each manufacturer with NSF). The replacement element DA97-17376B goes inside these assemblies.
HAF-QIN vs HAF-CIN: These are different filters for different refrigerator slots. HAF-CIN (part number DA29-00020C) fits an older Samsung assembly slot. HAF-QIN/EXP (DA97-17376B) fits the newer integrated slot. Do not use them interchangeably.
OEM NSF certification
Three manufacturers produce Samsung-branded assemblies that include DA97-17376B as a certified replacement element. All four assembly variants are NSF 42 certified; three carry NSF 53 as well.
| Assembly | Manufacturer | NSF 42 | NSF 53 | NSF 53 claims | Service cycle | Flow rate | Source (checked 2026-08-16) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DA97-08006C-A | Altwell Tech Inc. | ✅ | ✅ | 18 | 300 gal | 0.4 gpm | Std 042 · Std 053 |
| DA97-08006C-H | Handok Clean Tech Co., Ltd. | ✅ | ✅ | 21 | 316 gal | 0.4 gpm | Std 042 · Std 053 |
| DA97-08006C[G] | Microfilter Co., Ltd. | ✅ | ✅ | 21 | 316 gal | 0.4 gpm | Std 042 · Std 053 |
| DA97-08006C[Pb] | Microfilter Co., Ltd. | ✅ | — | — | 316 gal | 0.4 gpm | Std 042 |
About the [Pb] suffix: The [Pb] designation is a material compliance notation — it indicates the assembly meets lead-free material requirements under NSF/ANSI 372 and applicable state laws (California, Vermont, Maryland, Louisiana) and the Safe Drinking Water Act. It is not a filtration claim. This assembly is NSF 42 certified only; it does not carry NSF 53 health-effects certification.
About the Microfilter dual-element listings: Both DA97-08006C[G] and DA97-08006C[Pb] are certified for two replacement elements: DA29-00020C (HAF-CIN slot) and DA97-17376B (HAF-QIN/EXP slot). Only the DA97-17376B element is in scope for this filter slot.
About HAF-QIN/EXP in the NSF database: The retail name HAF-QIN/EXP appears only in the Handok (DA97-08006C-H) listing as an alternate element designation. The Altwell and Microfilter listings do not name HAF-QIN/EXP; they list DA97-17376B only.
Aftermarket NSF certification: Waterdrop EFF-6045S
The Waterdrop EFF-6045S is the only NSF-certified aftermarket product found for this slot in the 2026-08-16 harvest. It has three element variants, and NSF coverage differs between them.
| Element | NSF 42 | NSF 53 | NSF 53 claims | Service cycle | Flow rate | Source (checked 2026-08-16) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WD-DA97-17376B | ✅ | — | 0 — NSF 42 only | 316 gal | 0.5 gpm | Std 042 |
| WDS-DA97-17376B | ✅ | ✅ | 3 (Cyst, Lead, Mercury) | 316 gal | 0.5 gpm | Std 042 · Std 053 |
| WDP-DA97-17376B | ✅ | ✅ | 3 (Cyst, Lead, Mercury) | 316 gal | 0.5 gpm | Std 042 · Std 053 |
Which variant carries NSF 53? Only WDS-DA97-17376B and WDP-DA97-17376B. The base WD-DA97-17376B element is NSF 42 certified only — it carries no NSF 53 health-effects certification. If NSF 53 coverage matters to your purchasing decision, confirm before buying which element variant you will receive. The EFF-6045S model name covers all three variants in NSF's database, and packaging may not distinguish them clearly.
If you want NSF 42+53 coverage from this aftermarket option, look for the WDS or WDP element variants of the Waterdrop EFF-6045S (waterdropfilter.com, accessed 2026-08-16).
OEM vs aftermarket NSF 53 scope
This is the most important comparison on this page. "NSF certified" is not the same as "certified to reduce the same list." Certified is certified — the scope varies significantly.
| Filter | NSF 42 | NSF 53 | NSF 53 claim count | Notable NSF 53 contaminants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OEM Altwell (DA97-08006C-A) | ✅ | ✅ | 18 | Lead, Cyst, Mercury, Asbestos, Turbidity, Atrazine, Benzene, 2,4-D, Carbofuran, Chlorobenzene, and 8 more |
| OEM Handok (DA97-08006C-H) | ✅ | ✅ | 21 | All 18 above + Alachlor, Chlordane, Monochlorobenzene |
| OEM Microfilter (DA97-08006C[G]) | ✅ | ✅ | 21 | Same 21 as Handok |
| OEM Microfilter (DA97-08006C[Pb]) | ✅ | — | — | NSF 42 only |
| Waterdrop EFF-6045S (WD-DA97-17376B) | ✅ | — | 0 | NSF 42 only |
| Waterdrop EFF-6045S (WDS-DA97-17376B) | ✅ | ✅ | 3 | Cyst, Lead, Mercury |
| Waterdrop EFF-6045S (WDP-DA97-17376B) | ✅ | ✅ | 3 | Cyst, Lead, Mercury |
Source: NSF DWTU database — Samsung brand, Std 053 · Waterdrop brand, Std 053, checked 2026-08-16.
The OEM NSF 53 scope covers pesticides (Atrazine, Lindane, Alachlor, Carbofuran, and others), industrial solvents and aromatic compounds (Benzene, Tetrachloroethylene, Ethylbenzene, and others), Asbestos, Turbidity, and heavy metals (Lead, Mercury). The Waterdrop WDS and WDP variants certify three of those: Cyst, Lead, and Mercury. Both certifications are genuine — but they are not equivalent in scope.
Waterdrop manufacturer compatibility claim
Waterdrop states this filter is compatible with the DA97-17376B / HAF-QIN/EXP slot (waterdropfilter.com, accessed 2026-08-16). We checked the NSF certifications against the public NSF DWTU database independently — we did not lab-test either filter. NSF certifies each product on its own merits; the database does not certify OEM-to-aftermarket pairings. The compatibility statement above is the manufacturer's own claim.
Replacement schedule
| Filter | Recommended interval | NSF-tested capacity | Flow rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM Samsung (Altwell, DA97-08006C-A) | 6 months | 300 gal | 0.4 gpm |
| OEM Samsung (Handok / Microfilter) | 6 months | 316 gal | 0.4 gpm |
| Waterdrop EFF-6045S (all variants) | 6 months | 316 gal | 0.5 gpm |
Both OEM and Waterdrop manufacturer pages recommend replacement every six months. The gallon figures reflect the volume at which NSF certification conditions held during testing; NSF notes that capacity claims are not applicable for mechanical filtration.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Samsung DA97-17376B the same as HAF-QIN/EXP? Yes. DA97-17376B is the part number; HAF-QIN/EXP is the retail name for the same replacement cartridge. Both designations appear in the Handok NSF listing (DA97-08006C-H).
What is the difference between HAF-QIN and HAF-CIN? They are different filters for different refrigerator slots. HAF-CIN (part number DA29-00020C) fits an older Samsung assembly (DA97-08006C[G] / [Pb] family). HAF-QIN/EXP (DA97-17376B) fits the newer integrated filter slot (DA97-08006C-A / -H family). Do not substitute one for the other.
Does the Waterdrop EFF-6045S reduce lead? Only the WDS-DA97-17376B and WDP-DA97-17376B element variants carry NSF 53 Lead Reduction certification. The base WD-DA97-17376B element does not. Check which variant you are purchasing.
What does the [Pb] suffix mean on the Microfilter assembly? It is a material compliance notation — the assembly meets lead-free material requirements under NSF/ANSI 372 and applicable law. It is not a filtration performance claim. This assembly holds NSF 42 only; it does not carry NSF 53 health-effects certification.
How we verify
We check certification claims against the NSF DWTU public database. We do not lab-test filters. All certification data on this page was pulled from the live NSF database on 2026-08-16.
ExactFit Media earns a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We verify certification claims against public databases; we do not accept payment for placement, and prices never influence our listings — we do not show them.