This is our third grant funded by BMGF that I wanted to give you an update on. The information that I am giving you below is also available here in the SuSanA project database: www.susana.org/en/knowledge-hub/projects/database/details/572

Project title: Sanitation technology verification and certification centers for RTs and OPs

RTs stands for Reinvented Toilets
OPs stands for Omni-Processors. What is an Omni-Processor? See here on Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omni_Processor

Duration and size: 2017 - 2020, Grant size: USD $4,970,870

Purpose:
To establish qualified labs and testing facilities to accelerate the development and implementation of non-sewered resource recovery technologies

Activities:
The establishment of in-country certification capacity for field testing is the natural progression of the international standard development for RT (OPP1128005) and Omni-Processor (OPP1140663) technology families.

Together these efforts promote the birthing of a new sanitation industry in several ways:
• facilitate certification and prototype testing of RT and OP (Fecal sludge treatment units, FSTU) technologies in the focus countries, promote the adoption of standards and accelerate the establishment of certification networks.
• lower barriers to entry by providing several locations for manufacturers that are seeking locations to conduct tests in these focus countries.
• enable local technology developers with local access to necessary testing capabilities to accompany and inform them of the development of the program.
• provide regulators access to qualified analytical capabilities to support ongoing monitoring and compliance programs related to RT and FSTU systems.

Goal:
The goal will be the establishment of qualified and capable partner ecosystems of labs and testing facilities in each of the focus countries. The in-country certification capacity building is the natural progression of the international standard development for RT and FSTU. Together these efforts promote the birthing of a new sanitation industry.

Objectives:
To establish qualified and capable partner ecosystems of labs and testing facilities in each of the focus countries to accelerate the development and implementation of non-sewered resource recovery technologies as part of addressing failures in the current sanitation value chain and existing toilet technologies.

Current state of affairs (Oct 2018):
Landscaping of lab capabilities in the four target countries (South Africa, Senegal, China and India) are on-going.

Main challenges / frustration:
For the product certification, TÜV SÜD must identify few key persons including, Independent Technical Certifier, Senior Product Specialist and Factory Inspectors. As these are new innovative products, no certification body including, TÜV SÜD has these people readily available. Candidates for these positions must have extensive knowledge of the technology, the relevant ISO standards, and the testing requirements for all the Environmental, Human Health, and Mechanical/Electrical/EMC/Safety/HAZOP parameters. The candidate must apply and request certifier training from TÜV SÜD in Munich. The certification department will train the person and evaluate his or her expertise. While this person’s qualification and training are being scrutinized for approval as a technical certifier, simultaneously the certification scheme and test plans will be developed based on ISO 30500 and IWA 28.
• Testing and certification of the RT and FSTUs need services from various test centres and certification body alone with the RT/FSTU operations teams. A central management unit (Management Centre) is needed to coordinate all aspects of testing and certification. This central hub would serve as the single point of contact for the manufacturer and would link all services. Management Centre personnel would need to have a detailed understanding of the test requirements of ISO 30500 and IWA 28; full familiarity with service providers, services, and timelines; and effective communication with the relevant certification committees. Finding the right people in the target countries will be key to the success of the certification projects.

Our related projects:
See also my other posts where I described the related projects:
- Reinvented Toilet - Standards and Certification Development (2015 - 2018): forum.susana.org/iso-standards-internati...asia-pacific-pte-ltd
- Omni Processor - Landscaping and Standards Development (2015 - 2019): forum.susana.org/183-monitoring-and-eval...on-treatment-systems

Kind regards,
Mei Yee Chan

Program Manager
Water Services

www.tuv-sud-psb.sg

Business address
TÜV SÜD PSB Pte Ltd
1 Science Park Drive,
Singapore 118 221

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