Certification mark for non-sewered sanitation systems

A non-sewered sanitation system (NSSS) is a prefabricated integrated treatment unit, comprising frontend (toilet facility) and backend (treatment facility) components that collects, conveys, and fully treats the specific input within the system, to allow for safe reuse or disposal of the generated solid, liquid, and gaseous output, and is not connected to a networked sewer or networked drainage systems.

Backend is a combined set of system components encompassing the physical assets used to treat the input entering the system via the frontend in order to allow for the safe reuse or disposal of the generated output.

Backend is a combined set of system components encompassing the physical assets used to treat the input entering the system via the frontend  in order to allow for the safe reuse or disposal of the generated output. The TÜV SÜD  “Only backend tested” certification mark represents the scenario of NSSS backend system components, that are designed to be integrated with one or more specified frontends being tested. 

A complete NSSS system comprises of frontend and backend. Frontend is any user interface such as urinal, squatting or seat pan of a non-sewered sanitation system employed for human defecation and urination, including the evacuation mechanism and all system components that are clearly visible to the user. 

Backend is a combined set of system components encompassing the physical assets used to treat the input entering the system via the frontend in order to allow for the safe reuse or disposal of the generated output.

The voluntary certification mark with the statement “Safety tested” is issued for products, indicating that the product was tested and certified by the independent third-party organisation of TÜV SÜD Product Service for conformity with the essential technical safety requirements.

Periodic surveillance of the manufacture of a product constitutes the basic premise for certification which includes the award of a certification mark. Certification always requires product testing and regular factory inspections.

As a third-party expert organisation, TÜV SÜD verifies that the manufacturer is able to maintain consistent quality in line with the requirements throughout high-volume production and has established the necessary quality system, including incoming goods inspections, lists of materials and final product check.

In addition, calibration of the necessary measuring and monitoring equipment must be ensured. Surveillance and/or monitoring covers the testing of safety-critical components and other materials used. If unauthorised changes are made to the product, the certificate will be withdrawn and the TÜV SÜD certification mark may no longer be used.