Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

Since 2015, TÜV SÜD, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been leading the development of non-sewered sanitation technologies by establishing international standards and testing frameworks. These technologies provide safe and hygienic management of human waste without the need for a connection to a traditional sewer network or extensive water infrastructure.

The project aligns with the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The initiative aims to create innovative solutions to protect people from diseases caused by human waste and help governments expand sanitation services to even the poorest communities.  The goal is to provide safe and sustainable sanitation for the 3.5 billion people who lack access to safely managed facilities, with a focus on those in densely populated cities, flood-prone areas, and regions with limited land, water, and infrastructure. As project leads, TÜV SÜD played a key role in developing two international standards—ISO 30500 and ISO 31800. These standards not only capture the latest advancements in non-sewered sanitation but also set a clear direction for future innovations.

Developing technical guidance at such an early stage of innovation was groundbreaking. Standardisation typically happens after a technology matures, but in this case, it was done proactively to drive progress in the sector.

SETTING THE STANDARD

Before new toilet technologies and non-sewered sanitation solutions can be widely adopted, robust standards are essential to ensure safety, efficiency, and sustainability. 

• ISO 30500 defines requirements for the design, testing, and performance of non-sewered sanitation systems.
• ISO 31800 focuses on community-scale faecal sludge treatment units that generate valuable resources like water, fertiliser, and biomass.

By setting these benchmarks, these standards address global sanitation needs and support the development of innovative, sustainable solutions, reducing reliance on traditional water-intensive systems.

accelerating product innovation

Following the publication of these standards, TÜV SÜD became the world’s leading laboratory with the technical expertise required for testing and certification. Recognizing this, TÜV SÜD was awarded a grant to set up a network of qualified testing laboratories and certification facilities in China, India, Senegal, and South Africa.

This initiative aims to:

• Lower market entry barriers for non-sewered sanitation technologies.
• Provide reliable testing and certification services to help manufacturers optimise product development.
• Ensure regulatory compliance by giving authorities access to independent and competent testing facilities.

By strengthening local testing infrastructure, the initiative is fast-tracking innovation and commercialising new sanitation solutions.

WORLD-FIRST ISO 30500 CERTIFIED NON-SEWERED SANITATION SYSTEM

In January 2025, TÜV SÜD achieved a major milestone by certifying the first ISO 30500-compliant sanitation system, developed by Ecosan. 

This achievement highlights TÜV SÜD’s leadership in advancing sustainable sanitation solutions and demonstrates the readiness of innovative technologies to meet global safety and performance.  It also paves the way for wider adoption of ISO-compliant systems, bringing the vision of safe, sustainable, and efficient sanitation closer to reality for millions..

EXTENSIVE EVALUATION

To build a strong testing and certification network, TÜV SÜD conducted in-depth assessments of each country’s sanitation landscape, collaborating with local partners to enhance lab capabilities. Where possible, existing networks were leveraged, such as appointing a specialised lab in China for microbial testing.