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AS/NZS 5328 Flushable Products Q&A
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AS/NZS 5328
AS/NZS 5328 Flushable products
What is the AS/NZS 5328 Flushable Products Standard?
AS/NZS 5328 is a voluntary flushable products standard in Australia and New Zealand. It is used to determine whether products are suitable for disposal through toilets and provides guidance and requirements for labeling products that may be flushed into toilets. The AS/NZS 5328 standard does not apply to toilet paper, liquids, or soluble products.
What is the AS/NZS 5328 Flushable Product Packaging Symbol?
Although AS/NZS 5328 is a voluntary standard, products that meet the requirements of the standard may use the specified flushable symbol on product packaging to indicate that the product is safe to flush. The standard requires that the symbol must be clearly visible on packaging displayed on shelves and must not be covered by packaging seals or folds.
For products that may be disposed of through toilets, the packaging should clearly inform customers whether the product is suitable for toilet disposal. For example, if a product is not flushable, the “Do Not Flush” symbol should be clearly displayed.
Why did the Australian and New Zealand Governments Develop a Flushable Products Standard?
Wastewater systems are designed to treat waste from toilets (including toilets and urinals), such as feces, urine, toilet paper, and other waste generated from bathing, laundry, and kitchen activities. In recent years, some products claiming to be flushable have appeared on the market and may be flushed into toilets due to their use in bathrooms.
However, some of these products are incompatible with wastewater systems and may cause blockage issues. Once blockages occur, wastewater may overflow from the system, creating public health and environmental risks and causing unnecessary costs for water utilities and users. In Australia and New Zealand, this issue costs the urban water industry tens of millions of dollars every year.
What is the Definition of Flushable Products Under AS/NZS 5328?
Flushable products are considered products suitable for disposal through wastewater networks and treatment systems (including on-site treatment systems). A product is considered flushable if, after undergoing wastewater treatment processes, it does not cause significant adverse impacts on these systems or does not remain identifiable in wastewater discharged from the treatment systems.
What Types of Products May Not Comply with AS/NZS 5328?
Products that are incompatible with household plumbing systems, wastewater networks, or downstream environments. This includes products containing plastic, products that cannot achieve a high level of integration, or products that cannot easily pass through pipes or pumps.
What Requirements Does AS/NZS 5328 Have for Flushable Products?
(1) Pass through toilets and household drainage pipes.
(2) Do not block household wastewater pumps.
(3) Rapidly disintegrate to prevent sewer blockages.
(4) Do not block municipal (water utility) pumps.
(5) Settle in wastewater treatment facilities.
(6) Biodegradable.
(7) Demonstrate through declaration that the product does not contain plastic.
What Tests Are Included in AS/NZS 5328 Flushable Product Testing?
(1) Toilet Bowl and Drain Line Clearance Test
(2) Household Pump Test
(3) Slosh Box Disintegration Test
(4) Municipal Pump Test
(5) Settling Test
(6) Aerobic/Anaerobic Bio-disintegration Test
(7) Zero Plastic Attestation
Consumers are increasingly choosing to dispose of products such as cleaning wipes, makeup wipes, and wet toilet wipes through toilets. The misuse of many products that are actually non-flushable has led to increasingly serious sewer blockage issues. SATISFY provides flushability testing and certification services for flushable wipes and wet toilet wipes, including IWSFG, EDANA/INDA GD4, and AS/NZS 5328 flushability testing certifications. Please contact SATISFY customer service for more details.
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