Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/698163
W EEKLY EDITION JUNE 29, 2016 Kos Represents the PSAI at First ISO International Workshop on Next Generation Toilets …continued Success Parameters for Reinvented Toilets an d Non - sewered Waste Systems Standards pave the way for market access and commercialization by fostering trust among potential users with respect to the safety, functionality, reliability, usability, and maintainability of products. The standards that need to be developed for reinvented toilets will include both frontend and backend components ( see green box on page 3). Singapore Meeting to Address an Initial Draft A so - called "private technical standard" covering basic frontend and backend components has a lready been created, using the Gates Foundation's RT Challenge criteria (see sidebar below ) as a starting point. This initial draft was developed by a technical committee comprised of 25 sanitation experts from around the world, and they took care to not l imit design in ways that would stifle innovation. They also created test methods for each component so that compliance could be assessed. Having a draft to use as the basis for discussion will speed the development of the new, comprehensive standards for n onsewered waste systems. The entire standards development process will take at least two years to fully complete. PSAI Involvement in the Process The PSAI Board of Directors and the PSAI Standards and Guidance Committee has reviewed this first - step privat e technical standard and provided the PSAI Executive Director with feedback for the discussions this week in Singapore. Ultimately, the energies spent by some 70 participants in Singapore will result in a new Intern ational Working Agreement (IWA) which is slated for publication by late August 2016. Once the IWA is in place, groups in nations around the world will work to refine, improve and finalize the standards. The PSAI Board has committed the PSAI to seating a representative on the US Technical Advisory Group (TAG) which will be convened by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Karleen Kos will represent the PSAI on the TAG. It will be her responsibility to keep PSAI Members informed, and to seek input from the organization's stakeholders wit h and through the Board of Directors and the Standards and Guidance Committee. Implications for Western Markets We all know that the public loves to hate using portable units – and we also know the reasons for that: negative perceptions of cleanliness, th e undesirability of looking into the tank, and real or perceived odors. We also know that current technologies exist for addressing these sources of dissatisfaction, but the people in charge of making rental decisions often choose less expensive options. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 The Gates Foundation's RT Challenge criteria are: • Removes germs from human waste and recovers valuable resources such as energy, clean water, and nutrients. • Operates "off the grid" without connections to water, sewer, or electrical lines. • Costs less than USD $0.05 per user per day. • Promotes sustainable and financially profitable sanitation services and businesses • Is a truly aspirational next - generation product that everyone will want to use in developed as well as developing nations