Standards & Regulations
The portable sanitation industry is subject to a variety of standards and regulations related to portable sanitation equipment, waste disposal and the safe operation of vehicles on public highways.
ANSI Standards
As the voice of the U.S. standards and conformity assessment system, the nonprofit American National Standards Institute (ANSI) oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector of commerce. Many trade associations work with ANSI to set standards in their areas of expertise.
The PSAI is an ANSI-accredited standards developer. Generally, anyone who identifies a need for standardization related to our organization’s mission can submit a request to us. Our staff researches the idea to assess whether there is interest, tries to discover if similar standards exist in other organizations and assesses where the activity would appropriately fit within our strategic priorities. PSAI staff does not determine which standards should be developed; our Standards and Guidance Committee does that. You can review our standards development procedures here.
ANSI standards, and PSAI’s involvement in establishing them, help raise the bar and improve the reputation of our industry. If you are interested in becoming involved in standards development for the portable sanitation industry, please contact us.
The PSAI has published two standards concerning the number and placement of portable units, hand washing stations and requirements for related equipment. The standards are free for members and summarized below. To learn more, log in to the member Learning Center. For non members, the standards are available for purchase through PSAI in our online store.
ANSI/PSAI Z4.3 Sanitation – Non-sewered Waste – Disposal Systems – Minimum Requirements
This standard applies to sanitary waste disposal systems for all places of employment where such systems are not connected to a sanitary sewer, septic tank or on-site sewage disposal treatment facility. Its purpose is to assure that employees who don’t have access to indoor sewered toilets are provided with healthful and adequate alternatives.
ANSI/PSAI Z4.4 Sanitation – In Fields and Temporary Labor Camps – Minimum Requirements
This standard prescribes minimum environmental health requirements for camps (whether temporary or permanent) for temporary labor and field sanitation. The purpose is to protect the health of these workers and, indirectly, the health of the public who may consume agricultural produce from these fields.
OSHA Standards
The U.S. government agency known as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exists to assure safe and healthful working conditions. The organization sets and enforces standards, and provides training, outreach, education and assistance. Several OSHA standards apply to general environmental controls and sanitation in construction, fields and labor camps. With rare exceptions, OSHA standards have the force of the law. Those who fail to adhere can be fined or otherwise held culpable.
The OSHA standards that are relevant to portable sanitation are mostly found in Title 29 in the Code of Federal Regulations (29CFR).
Here are links to the OSHA standards that are most relevant to the portable sanitation industry:
- Part 1910.141 – OSHA Standards, General Environmental Controls, Sanitation
- Part 1910.142 – OSHA Standards, General Environmental Controls, Temporary Labor Camps
- Part 1920.1030 – OSHA Standards, Toxic and Hazardous Substances, Bloodborne Pathogens
- Part 1910.1048 – OSHA Standards, Toxic and Hazardous Substances, Formaldehyde
- Part 1928.110 – OSHA Standards, General Environmental Controls, Field Sanitation
- Part 1915.88 – OSHA Standards for Shipyard Employment, General Environmental Controls, Sanitation
- Part 1926.51 – OSHA Standards – Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, Occupational Health and Environmental Controls – Sanitation
- Part 1917.127 – OSHA Standards – Marine Terminals, Terminal Facilities – Sanitation
- Part 1918.95 – OSHA Standards – Safety and Health Regulations for Longshoring, General Working Conditions – Sanitation
- OSHA Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers
ADA & Portable Sanitation
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees equal opportunity in public accommodations for individuals with disabilities. When portable sanitation is provided in venues covered by the ADA, providers must take care to ensure the equipment and services they provide are consistent with this important law.
The portable sanitation industry must be conscientious of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act concerning:
- The circumstances under which handicap-accessible units must be provided
- How many ADA-accessible units are required
- The path of travel to an ADA-accessible unit
Members conducting business outside of the United States are advised to check with local government officials concerning accessibility requirements in those countries.
Here are links to the ADA guidelines that are most relevant to the portable sanitation industry:
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Don't miss out on great member benefits!FDA & Agriculture
When portable sanitation is provided in agricultural settings, good agricultural practices (GAP) apply. GAP standards may derive from federal law, local law or industry expertise.
Here are links to the FDA and GAP standards that are most relevant to the portable sanitation industry:
- 21CFR112.129 – What requirements apply to toilet facilities?
- 21CFR112.130 – What requirements apply for hand-washing facilities?
- PSAI GAP Guidance for Portable Sanitation
- United Nations Good Agricultural Practices
- USDA Good Agricultural Practices
- USDA GAP Audit Standards – See page 55 for sanitation information
- Good Agricultural Practices – Cornell University
- United Fresh Produce Association Good Agricultural Practices
- Food Safety on the Farm: Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices – Sanitary Facilities
EPA Regulations
The EPA is the U.S. government agency charged with implementing environmental laws. It has jurisdiction over a wide range of regulations that affect portable sanitation. Within the EPA, the Office of Wastewater Management (OWM) is particularly focused on issues that relate to our industry. While they will work with companies on achieving compliance with environmental requirements, when warranted, the EPA will take civil or criminal enforcement action.
Which standards are relevant to portable sanitation? There are many, and most can be found on the EPA’s website in a list called “Regulations 101.”
Here are links to the EPA regulations that are most relevant to the portable sanitation industry:
DOT Regulations
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is located in Washington D.C. and serves the public by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system. It requires that all commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,001 pounds undergo an inspection every year. This is conducted to make sure all parts and accessories of the vehicle are in good working order. Some states also require that all registered vehicles be inspected through mandatory programs.
Click here for more information.
Here are links to the U.S. DOT regulations that are most relevant to the portable sanitation industry:
- US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- US Federal Resources for Drivers
- US Federal Resources for Carriers
- Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Regulations
- State Hazmat Services
Canada’s transportation system is managed by Transport Canada. Click here for more information.
Internationally, transportation systems vary greatly by country.
European Standards
The European Standards Publication applies to restrooms that are not connected to any type of sewer system. It is directed at industry suppliers who manufacture portable toilets, portable sanitation companies that rent out units and the clients that rent the units. Standards ensure that people have safe, hygienic and private opportunities for the use of a sanitary restroom.
Learn more, purchase the standards and download them via the links below.
- Cover pages of EN 16194 2012 with PSAI overview included
- EN 16194 European “Mobile non-sewer-connected toilet cabins” – English, German and Spanish versions can all be bought
from the German National Standardization Institute – DIN; (Toggle the language to English if necessary; Search EN 16194; Order the versions you wish to download) - Portable Sanitation Europe (PSE), PSAI’s European affiliate association, has helpful resources available to its members
Learn More About Portable Sanitation Standards & Regulations
Additional information related to portable sanitation industry standards and regulations can be found in the PSAI Industry Resource Directory, available in print and online for PSAI members in the member Learning Center.