Portable Sanitation Association International

ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION JANUARY 20, 2021 Page 5 Continued on page 6 Standards News…continued from page 4 International Working Agreement (IWA) on Woman Owned Businesses For the past several months the PSAI has been engaged with nearly 300 others from around the world in the development of an IWA to create a set of common definitions related to women's entrepreneurship. Although nations like the US and others have had such definitions, they have not been harmonized around the world, making it difficult for women to grow their businesses, obtain financing, and otherwise compete in the marketplace. Since sanitation in general and portable sanitation in particular are areas in which more involvement is needed around the world, it made sense for the PSAI to engage in this process. We hope the IWA will help women around the world become successful in our industry through easier access to programs and funds. We expect the IWA will be published in 2021 on or around March 8—International Women's Day. We'll publish more about it when the language is finalized and the document is released. Issues to be addressed in 2021: Once the IWA is published, the PSAI will be monitoring the global response to this new document. We will stand ready to assist in the development of an ISO standard should it become necessary, and we'll keep our members apprised of how they can engage in further activities if any. Urine Reclamation In 2017 the PSAI engaged with professionals and scientists who are interested in isolating urine and turning it into a resource or product rather than something that needs treatment or disposal. Since disposal is becoming an increasing challenge for portable sanitation operators, we felt it was prudent for us to be at any table where alternatives were being discussed. In late 2020, a group of these professionals—now known as the Gold Ribbon Commission on Urine Reuse (GRC)—began to explore the creation of standards, white papers, and other resources to aid in the adoption of urine reclamation as an alternative to disposal. The PSAI is serving on the executive body for the Commission. Currently the GRC is developing a scope of work and reviewing existing laws, rules, and standards that may be relevant to our project. It is particularly important that the PSAI be at this table because of potential opportunities for monetizing urine that could result from this effort. As an accredited standards developer, we have offered to provide the necessary support for the creation of an ANSI standard if that turns out to be one of the steps that makes sense. It is also important to make sure that any documents created are written with good information about how portable units and vacuum trucks are constructed and used.

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