Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/921608
W EEKLY EDITION JAN 3, 2018 Open Comment Period on New International Standard for Non - sewered Sanitation Systems …continued By PSAI Executive Director Karleen Kos and an ISO Briefing Document To Whom Will this Standard Apply? ISO 30500 will contain criteria for the safety, functionality, usability, reliability and maintainability of non - sewered sanitation systems, as well as the system's compatibility with environmental protection goals. It excludes guidelines for selection, installation, operation and maintenance procedures, or management of non - sewered sanitation systems, and neither incorporates nor substitutes for manufacturers' instructions and user manuals. Non - sewered sanitation systems can be used in a number of different places around the world. These include urban and rural communities without access to sewer systems and urban communities pursuing sustainable sanitation solutions. They are suitable for use in tempor ary or permanent settlements, including refugee camps, and are equally suited to both public or private use in isolated locations. Why is this Standard Important? It's a straightforward fact that human waste contains numerous germs. As the perfect habitat for bacteria, viruses, fungi, worms and other pathogens, human waste needs to be treated carefully to avoid risks to health. The outputs of sanitation systems that meet ISO 30500's requirements will be free of these pathogens ; thus the standard will hel p protect individuals, communities and resources such as drinking water from pollution and outbreaks of potentially lethal diseases. It additionally enables the development of stand - alone non - sewered sanitation systems that promote economic, social and en vironmental sustainability. This can be achieved by minimizing resource consumption (particularly water use) and enabling the production of useful by - products, such as liquid and solid nutrients, water for reuse, material for the generation of fuel and oth er reusable outputs, depending on the system. Who Can Benefit from the Standard? In general, International Standards are strategic tools that reduce costs b y minimizing waste and errors, increasing productivity and facilitating free and fair global trade. ISO 30500 will give assurance to manufacturers of non - sewered sanitation systems, governments, regulators and end users that the non - sewered facilities they use are safe, reliable and of good quality. PAGE 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 5