Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/749619
WEEKLY EDITION NOV 9, 2016 Kos Represents PSAI on Project Committee for New International Standard on Nonsewered Sanitation Systems…continued PSAI Member Lothar Vermillion Represents Germany To date, the vast majority of the cost involved in PSAI's participation has been offset by funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Foundation is committed to making significant strides in addressing the global sanitation crisis through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Program. As one of the projects under WASH, the Gates Foundation has sponsored the "Reinvent the Toilet Challenge" since 2011. As a result, new toilet and nonsewered waste system technologies are rapidly being developed. The standard PC 305 is developing is intended to provide guidance for the innovators working on projects that meet the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge's criteria – as well as for other technologies that would also hope to provide alternative solutions to the sanitation problems faced throughout the world. PSAI's Executive Director, Karleen Kos, comments, "The PSAI has long been involved in the development of standards through its work with ANSI. Now we are 'kicking it up a notch' on behalf of PSAI Members. I am delighted to be able to represent the Association and to hear about the latest ideas in sanitation. These ideas may have profound impacts on our industry over the next decade or so. By being at the table, I can make sure the portable sanitation industry's voice is heard – and I can carry the latest information back to the Members of the PSAI in a timely fashion. I applaud the Board's commitment to engaging with the global sanitation industry, standard-setting bodies, and related stakeholders in this important work." Kos will discuss some of the new toilet technologies and the direction of the standard-setting activities in a one-hour session at the upcoming Nuts and Bolts Educational Conference in New Orleans. PAGE 2 S. Joe Bhatia, President and CEO of ANSI, opened the PC 305 session with a welcome to the United States and background on the standards process. Prior to joining ANSI, Mr. Bhatia held the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer of the international group at Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). To the right of Mr. Bhatia are Rachel Hawthorne, ANSI staff member serving as co- secretary to the group; Sun Kim from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation serving as the acting chair of the meeting on the first morning; and Abdourahmane Ndione, representative from Senegal, serving as the stakeholder co-secretary to the group. Representatives from Senegal (left) and Ghana (center) take a moment between presenters to catch their breath, while the Canadian delegation (right) confers.