MikroPLASTIKSTOP - Water filter LAICA - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL MikroPLASTIKSTOP LAICA

MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ PITCHER Reduces more than 99,99%* of microplastics Instructions and guarantee

- Time setting range for removable manual indicator

The efficacy of the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter has been tested by independent laboratories accredited in Germany and Italy. The MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter is able to block more than 99.5% of microplastics that may be present in the water supply network, with sizes of 0.1 μm and above. For particles of 1 μm and above, the percentage of microplastics blocked is over 99,99%.

Anweisungen und Garantie10 Dear customer, Laica wishes to thank you for choosing this product, designed for reliability and quality to provide complete satisfaction. IMPORTANT

READ CAREFULLY BEFORE USING

KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

The instruction manual must be considered an integral part of the product and must be kept for its entire life. If the appliance is transferred to another owner, its documentation must also be transferred in its entirety. To ensure the safe and correct use of the product, the user must carefully read the instructions and warnings contained in the manual insofar as they provide important information regarding safety, user and maintenance instructions. The system is equipped with:

1) MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter (fig. 5), which is effective

in the mechanical block of plastic particles that may be present in the municipal potable water for accidental situation. Microplastics are not necessarily present in the water supply network. For more information, contact your water supply company.

2) MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ Activation pump (fig. 6), a

manual piston-type module made of two components: a cylinder (fig. 7A) and a piston (fig. 7B) for the preparation of the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter.

cartridge (fig. 1), reduces the hardness of tap water, preserving the mineral salts useful to the body. Bi-flux

cartridge also reduces: chemical contaminants, heavy metals and chlorine. CAUTION: use this cartridge and filter to treat municipal potable water (check with the competent authority in your area). GENERAL WARNINGS ON SAFETY OF YOUR LAICA ULTRA-FILTRATION SYSTEM

• Prior to use, ensure the product is intact and that there is no visible damage. If in doubt, refrain from using the device and contact your retailer.

• Keep the plastic bag out of reach of children: danger of suffocation.

• Follow the instructions of the present manual. Failure to do so may affect the product safety or damage the product itself.

• This device must be used only for its intended purpose which is DEVICE TO TREAT POTABLE WATER and according to the instructions for use. All other types of use shall be considered inappropriate and therefore hazardous.

• Do not use this product for the production of potable water.

• In case of Authorities warning to boil the tap water for safety against a temporary contamination risk, also the water filtered with this filtration system must be boiled.

• When Authorities declare that the tap water is potable and safe again, the system must be cleaned as per “ULTRA- FILTRATION SYSTEM PREPARATION” paragraph and both Bi-flux

cartridge and MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter must be replaced.

• People affected by specific diseases, allergies or following controlled diets should refer to a doctor before using the ultra-filtration system.

• NEVER use the ultra-filtration system with previously treated water.

• In the case of emergency situations reported by the competent authorities, contact the competent authority in your area for further information.

• NEVER tamper with or break the cartridges and filters for any reason.

• The manufacturer shall not be deemed liable for any damage caused by inappropriate or incorrect use.

• Preparing, filter/cartridge replacing and maintenance must be performed only by anyone aged 12 years and over.

• Children and individuals with physical, sensory or mental disabilities or unskilled people, may use and perform maintenance on the product only under adult supervision.

• Do not use the product as a toy.

• In the event of failure or poor operation, contact an authorized dealer. Information on technical support can be requested by contacting [e-mail].

• Handle the product with care, protect it against accidental impact, extreme temperature fluctuations, dust, direct sunlight and sources of heat.

• Keep the device away from the stove, electric hot plate, oven or flammable materials.

• NEVER use in a microwave oven.

• NEVER expose the product to weather (rain, sun).

• Do not insert any objects into openings.

• Do not use the device if the lid is damaged.

• NEVER filter hot water.

• Only filter cold running water from the household mains, always with both cartridge and filter assembled.

• NEVER put the device into a working disinfection cabinet.

• NEVER freeze the device.

• This device is not intended for professional use, but rather only for domestic use. MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ PITCHER EN11 IMPORTANT:

cartridge before washing the hopper. N.B. The filter may be difficult to remove: this is normal because, due to safety issues, the filter adheres to the hopper in order to prevent unwanted leakages. Do not wash the cartridge and filter with soap or detergents.

2) Never wash MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter with

tap water and never filter directly tap water with MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter. Always use water already filtered by Bi-flux

This system is for use on water supplies that have been treated to public water system standards or that otherwise are determined to be microbiologically safe as demonstrated by routine testing. This system has been tested to demonstrate protection against intermittent accidental microplastic contamination of safe drinking water.

• The Laica filtration system maintains the pH value within the range indicated by European Directive EU 2020/2184 concerning the quality of water meant for human consumption.

• The activated carbon contained in the Bi-flux

cartridge may release a certain amount of fine powder (which is in no way harmful).

• Silver is used in the Bi-flux

cartridge to grant its bacteriostatic action. Any release of silver ions falls under the guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO).

• MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter flow rate and life time may vary depending on the quantity, quality and temperature of the filtered water. DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY: Filtration systems produced by Laica are compliant with the following standards:

• European Directive EMC 30/2014/EU concerning Electromagnetic Compatibility (where required).

• Ministry Decree no. 174 dated 6/04/2004 regarding materials and objects that may be used in collection, treatment, supply and distribution systems for water intended for human consumption.

• Legislative Decree no. 18 dated February 23, 2023, Italian transposition of the Directive EU 2020/2184 related to water meant for human consumption.

• Regulation (EU) 1935/2004 regarding materials in contact with food.

• Regulation (EU) 10/2011 regarding plastic materials and objects intended to come in contact with food.

ULTRA-FILTRATION SYSTEM PREPARATION

Wash the plastic parts of the device (except for the cartridge, timer and filter) with potable water and washing-up liquid. Make sure all the detergent is rinsed off after cleaning. Do not use detergent on the filter and the cartridge. Never wash the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter with tap water. The hopper has got a funnel (fig. E) for air outlet, closed by a safety cap (fig. D). Take care of keeping always the funnel closed. The hopper of the ultra-filtration system is made to house Laica Bi-flux

cartridge and Laica MikroPLASTIK- STOP™ filter only.

1) Before proceeding with the following operations, wash

hands thoroughly with water and soap.

2) Remove the cartridge (fig. 1) from its bag.

3) Use a clean dish or surface to place the cartridge. Never

work in dirty conditions.

4) Soak the cartridge in a container full of cold tap water, for

approximately 15 minutes (fig. 2). Shake the cartridge to release the air it contains.

5) Insert the cartridge into the hopper pressing slightly to

ensure correct insertion (fig. 3).

6) Fill the hopper with 1L of cold potable tap water. Let

it filter and then discard the filtered water (or use it to water your plants).

7) Repeat point 6 until 3 liters has been filtered and

8) In order to prepare the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filters,

fill the hopper with at least 1L of cold potable tap water and let it filter. The Bi-flux

system is now ready to be completed with the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ system. PREPARATION OF MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter

1) Before preparing the device, wash your hands

thoroughly with water and soap.

2) Remove the filter (fig. 5) from its bag.

3) Use a clean dish or surface to place the filter. Never

work in dirty conditions.

4) Remove the Activation pump (fig. 6) from its bag and

never place it on dirty surfaces during operation.

5) Separate piston from cylinder by pulling it upwards.

6) Hook the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter to the cylinder

by screwing it (fig. 8 and 9).

7) Fill the cylinder, once hooked to the filter, with cold

potable water previously filtered with Bi-flux

cartridge (see Bi-flux

ALWAYS USE WATER PREVIOUSLY FILTERED WITH

8) Take the piston (fig. 7B) and push it downwards inside

the cylinder strongly enough to make the water go out from the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter and then pull it upwards (fig. 11 and 12). Instructions and guarantee EN12 Important: make sure to never push the piston downwards inside the cylinder if it is still empty and not filled with cold tap water previously filtered with Bi-flux

cartridge, in order to avoid any air to enter.

9) Unscrew the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter from the

cylinder of the activation pump (fig. 13).

10) Assemble the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter to the

bottom of the hopper by screwing it (fig. 14).

11) Place the hopper into the main unit.

1) Remove the lid from the pitcher, turn it upside down and

slightly push the manual indicator on its backside, in order to partially extract it from the lid (fig. H2 and fig. H3).

2) Turn the upper lens of the indicator clockwise as

indicated in fig. H3, to set the start month and week for the cartridge (fig. I). The month and week of reference must be aligned with the red sign printed on the upper lens of the indicator. Insert the manual indicator into the lid by pushing as per fig. H4.

USING THE WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

1) Fill the hopper with cold potable

water up to the top level of the same and allow filtering without closing the lid.

2) Discard the water filtered in the

previous section (or use it to water your plants).

3) Repeat the operation until 5L have

been filtered and discarded. x5L Repeat these operations also in case you don’t use the system for 15 days and every time you replace the cartridge/filter ATTENTION! MANDATORY: At FIRST USE: Place the pitcher under the tap so that the water jet directly enters the hopper through the opening in the lid. Turn on the tap (the pressure of the water jet should not be too strong in order to avoid splashes): the water automatically opens the automatic quick-fill and directly enters the hopper (fig. 4A). Fill the hopper to the top with cold tap water. When the hopper is almost full the automatic quick-fill gradually closes: reduce the water flow and shut off the tap when the automatic quick-fill closes (fig. 4B). It is in any case recommended to check the water level in the hopper from one side of the pitcher. Keep the water pitcher in the fridge. The refrigerator must be kept in a good condition. Caution:

• In the case of non-use of the ultra-filtration system for 24 hours, discard the water that remains inside it, then fill the hopper and let it filter. The system is ready for use again.

• Keep the product away from heat sources and direct sunlight.

• Only use cold water (+4°C: +30°C).

• Only filter water; do not filter any other type of liquid.

cartridge: 150 liters or 1 month (what comes first).

• MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter: MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ blocks microplastics and suspended particles (water turbidity). The filter stops working when its hollow fibers pores are completely blocked. Tests carried out with challenge water with a 30 FAU turbidity indicate a life-time of 1000 Liters.

FILTER AND CARTRIDGE REPLACEMENT

cartridge: For replacement of the cartridge remove it from the hopper by pulling it upwards, as shown in fig. 15, and repeat the operations as indicated in the section:

• MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter: For replacement of the filter remove it from the hopper by unscrewing it as shown in fig. 16 and repeat the operations as indicated in the section: “ULTRA-

• Washing instructions for the pitcher lid: Remove the lid from the jug, turn it upside down and remove the manual indicator by pushing on its backside (fig. H2). Then hand wash the lid in warm water and washing-up liquid. Dry the lid and insert the indicator into the lid by pushing as per fig. H4.

• Washing instructions for the hopper's funnel: Clean the funnel internally and its cap with a cleaning brush at least 2-3 times a week. After cleaning, close the funnel with the cap and take care not to lose it (fig. 17).

• Washing instructions for all other components: Always remove the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter and the Bi-flux

cartridge before washing the hopper. N.B. The filter may be difficult to remove: this is normal because, due to safety issues, the filter adheres to the hopper in order to prevent unwanted leakages. Wash all the components, except for the Bi-flux

cartrige, the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter and the removable manual indicator, by hand with warm water and washing-up liquid at least 2-3 times a week. MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ PITCHER EN13 Do not use other chemicals or abrasives. Never wash the MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ filter with tap water. Do not wash the Bi-flux

cartridge and the MikroPLASTIK- STOP™ filter with soap or detergents.

REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED PARTS

Replacement of the lid / removable manual indicator / MikroPLASTIK-STOP™ Activation Pump: In case of breaking or damage, contact your retailer. Then dispose of the damaged parts as per the paragraph "DISPOSAL PROCEDURE". TROUBLE SHOOTING PROBLEM POTENTIAL CAUSE SOLUTION The water flow slows down until stopping

cartridge has not been properly activated.

build up inside the Bi-flux

cartridge thus hindering the normal water flow.

STOP™ filter life time has elapsed.

STOP™ filter is new but it has not been activated properly.

procedure described in the section "PREPARATION OF BI-FLUX

cartridge, immerse it in water letting the air bubbles escape, allow it to drip and then insert it again into the hopper.

MikroPLASTIK- STOP™ filter with a new one.

procedure described in the section “PREPARATION OF MikroPLASTIK- STOP™ FILTER” Undesirable smells or tastes are present in the system

cleaning and maintenance have not been done properly.

STOP™ filter life time has elapsed.

procedure described in the section “CARE AND MAINTENANCE“

MikroPLASTIK- STOP™ filter with a new one. DISPOSAL PROCEDURE Dispose all the components according to their respective belonging class. WARRANTY This appliance is guaranteed for 2 years from the time of delivery of the goods, or another longer term envisaged by the national legislation of the consumer’s residence. This provision complies with Italian and European legislation. The LAICA products are designed for home use and must not be used in public venues. The warranty only covers manufacturing defects and does not apply if the damage is caused by an accidental event, incorrect use, negligence or misuse of the product. Use only the accessories supplied; the use of different accessories may result in invalidity of the warranty. Do not open the unit for any reason; in the case of opening or tampering, the warranty is definitively voided. This warranty does not apply to parts subject to wear or to the batteries when supplied. After 2 years from delivery, or another longer term envisaged by the national legislation of the consumer’s residence, the warranty expires; in this case, the technical assistance interventions will be carried out against a fee. Information on technical assistance, whether under warranty or for a fee, can be requested by contacting [e-mail]. No payment will be due for repairs or replacements of products that fall within the terms of the warranty. In the event of faults, contact the retailer. Do NOT send the appliance directly to LAICA. All the operations under warranty (including those of replacement of the product or part thereof) will not prolong the duration of the original period of warranty of the product replaced. The manufacturer declines any liability for any damage that may, directly or indirectly, be caused to persons, property or animals as a result of the non-observance of all the requirements established in the relevant instructions manual and concerning, especially, warnings relating to installation, use and maintenance of the appliance. LAICA, in its constant commitment to improving its products, is entitled to changing without any notice, in whole or in part, its products in relation to production requirements, without this entailing any liability for LAICA towards its dealers. For further information: www.laica.it. Instructions and guarantee EN14 Gentile cliente, Laica desidera ringraziarLa per la preferenza accordata al presente prodotto, progettato secondo criteri di affidabilità e qualità al fine di una completa soddisfazione. IMPORTANTE

1) Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality - 4th ed.

Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. World Health Organization, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1996.

4) pH in Drinking-water

Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. World Health Organization, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1996.

Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. World Health Organization, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1996.

7) Jug water filter systems – Specification

9) Microplastics range from 0.1 to 5,000 μm.

EFSA CONTAM Panel (EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain), 2016. Statement on the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in food, with particular focus on seafood. EFSA Journal 2016;14(6):4501, 30 pp. Reference literature/b MPJUG-STD/c LAICA S.p.A. Company with sole shareholder and subject to the management and coordination of Strix Group Plc. Viale del Lavoro, 10 36048 Barbarano Mossano (VI) - Italy Phone [phone] [e-mail] www.laica.it UK Importer: Strix Ltd, Forrest House, Ronaldsway, Isle Of Man, IM9 2RG, British Isles