2010-08-20

Call for Interest: Proposal for a new field of technical activity on Domestic and communal wastewater sanitation

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is seeking feedback on the development of a new field of technical activity on Domestic and communal wastewater sanitation submitted by the Kenya Bureau of Standards KEBS (KEBS) to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

It has been estimated that 2.4 billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities while another 1.2 billion people do not have access to any sanitation facilities. This contributes to disease, poor health and even death while at the same time leads to impoverishment and diminished opportunities for large populations especially in developing nations. Sanitation is essential for good health, contributes to dignity and social development and helps keep a sustainable environment. Standardization for all aspects of design, construction, operation and maintenance of wastewater sanitation facilities could assist all concerned with improving sanitation in developing countries.

Scope of the Proposed ISO Standards:

The proposed new field of technical activity for Domestic and communal wastewater sanitation is expected to address the following subjects:

• Amenities for the safe disposal of human wastes and grey water;
• Environmentally sound transportation and reuse of the human waste;
• Technological methods of treatment of the wastes and sanitation during emergency situations caused by natural disasters, excluding municipal and industrial wastewater;
• Test methods.

As the official Canadian member of the ISO, the Standards Council of Canada is seeking feedback on ISO’s proposal from Canadian stakeholders. All responses submitted to SCC will be considered to generate a Canadian position and comments on this proposal. Stakeholders are invited to consider the following when formulating a response:

1. Is the proposed scope relevant and does it use appropriate terminology, or is the scope too broad or too specific?
2. Could the development of this proposed standard impact your sector negatively or positively and why?
3. Will the development of this proposed standard benefit your sector or will it pose challenges?
4. If this field of technical activity is regulated, will the proposed development of this standard complement it or not?

The deadline for submission is December 15, 2010.

For more information or to seek clarification, please contact Lynne Gibbens, Senior Program Officer ISO, via email at [email protected] or by telephone +1 613 238 3222 ext. 452.

The Standards Council of Canada is a federal Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective standardization in Canada with the goal of enhancing Canada’s economic competitiveness and social well-being. SCC is Canada’s representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and is responsible for coordinating Canadian participation in the development of international standards. It also accredits standards development and conformity assessment organizations. For more information on SCC’s programs visit www.scc.ca or email [email protected].

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