1. Backflow Prevention Conference
Ron Pulido
Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Standards Australia

2. Outline Standards Australia
Supporting Standardisation in Backflow Prevention
Process and Engagement

3. About us What we do What we don’t do
Develop and adopt standards to help make markets work, keep people safe and make Australian life better
Independent, not-for-profit, non-government
Represents Australia at the ISO and IEC
Develop and adopt standards only where there is a need
A trusted partner of government, industry & community
Not SAI Global
What we don’t do
Make laws or regulations
Test or certify products or systems
Standards are voluntary consensus-based documents. They are only made mandatory if called up in legislation, regulations, or a contract. They do not always represent best practice; they specify requirements to achieve minimum objectives of safety, quality or performance of a product or service.
More often than not, voluntary and consensus-based standards have the ability to guide the market, or society, to the desired outcome. Legislation is prone to amendment or disbandment due to the unintended consequences it tends to generate. Lasting change can be achieved by developing consensus-based Australian Standards, rather than reaching for the regulatory tool-box.
Developing consensus-based Australian Standards can solve public policy dilemmas. The "codification, not legislation" approach is about re-setting our biases towards developing appropriate standards, rather than opting for regulatory remedies in the first instance, we should instead turn to standards.
As evidence of this, of the 7000-plus Australian Standards, three-quarters remain voluntary and only about one-quarter become mandated either through law or contracts.

4. Australia’s representative at both:
Supporting the good use of International Standards through their consideration and adoption in Australia
Australia’s representative at both:
Standards Australia is Australia’s representative at both the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
ISO:
World’s largest developer of internationally harmonised standards.
Private body; 163 members countries; combination of public and private NSBs (different drivers)
Develops voluntary standards across a broad range of subjects and markets.
270 TCs and16,000 + international standards in materials and engineering technologies and management systems
IEC:
International standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies
Private body – but not all same members as ISO
179 TCs and 5,500 standards
Funding Model for ISO and IEC: Membership fees; sales and copyright

5. One solution – multiple jurisdictions
Standards are voluntary unless called up in regulation
Everything we do is based on consensus
In order for a standard to change, broad support is needed from all relevant communities of interest
Considering equality and inclusion through the design of housing, there is a place for everyone along the regulatory spectrum.
There is room for Australian Standards along the way
Standards Australia wants to be part of the solution, not the problem
Standards Australia wants to work with all industry sectors to do what we can for the benefit of the community
Standards Australia is committed to working with all our stakeholders and we are looking forward to working with you to achieve the best outcome.

6. Australian Standards are only ever a solution when our key criteria are met.
Standards Australia will only consider a proposal on housing accessibility if it meets three key criteria, being:
Adequate stakeholder support
Clear scope
Robust net benefit case.
Need stakeholder support to ensure there is success
We need all of this to be a success.
KEY MESSAGE # 2: Standards need to be developed along the principles of Net Benefit, and go through a rigorous proposal process.
Evaluates all proposals for the development of an Australian Standard.
Assess costs vs benefits of Standard - must have ‘an overall positive impact on communities’
Requires a project proposal form setting out the net benefit case
Is consistently assessed across different types of standards in different fields
For every standards development project, a case for Net Benefit to the Australian community has to be presented. This takes into account the costs and benefits related to the following criteria:
Public health and safety
Social and community impact
Environmental impact
Competition
Economic impact.

7. Supporting Standardisation in Backflow Prevention

8. WS-023 Backflow Prevention Devices
Australian Building Codes Board
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Australian Industry Group
Australian Water Association
Backflow Prevention Association of Australia
Business New Zealand
CSIRO
Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (SA)
Department of Housing and Public Works (QLD)
Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment (NT)
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety WA
Engineers Australia
Environment and Planning Directorate (ACT)
Local Government New Zealand
Master Plumbers Australia
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers New Zealand
New Zealand Employers and Manufacturers Association (Central) Inc
NSW Fair Trading
Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia
Plumbing Products Industry Group
Queensland Brassware Association
Standards New Zealand
Victorian Building Authority
VIPAC (Testing Interests Australia)
Water New Zealand
Water Services Association of Australia
Standardisation is about creating options and opening up new opportunities to support innovation.
Technology is changing rapidly in design, engineering, and construction.
Our WS-023 technical committee members lead standardisation priorities for ‘Backflow Prevention Devices’
The aim is to support productivity of the Backflow Prevention industry through innovation and providing robust standards.
AS 2845 series Water supply - Backflow prevention devices

9. Standards for Backflow Prevention Devices
AS/NZS :2010/Amdt 1:2014 Water supply - Backflow prevention devices - Materials, design and performance requirements
AS — Water supply - Backflow prevention devicess-Registered air gaps and registered break tanks
AS — Water supply - Backflow prevention devices-Field testing and maintenance of testable devices

10. Revision of AS 2845.3-2010 Technical aspects of all test procedures
Current Project
Revision of AS
Technical aspects of all test procedures
upstream isolation valve
reduced pressure principle devices
Field testing and maintenance of testable devices
Background
To address the technical aspects of all test procedures for backflow prevention devices because numerous test procedures are inaccurate and have never been suitable for the purpose for which they are intended.
An upstream isolation valve should only be required to pass testing where a closed upstream isolation valve is critical to the integrity of test results for the backflow device.
Reduced pressure principle devices should be tested for the first opening of the relief port and not after a line strainer has been cleaned.
Need for the proposed work
Current publication contains errors different test procedures are used across the jurisdictions
To develop nationally consistent standard upon best practice principles to prevent contamination of drinking water supply
Reduce maintenance cost by eliminating unnecessary works

11. Process and Engagement

12. Stakeholder engagement Manager Support New Work Opportunities
Who do you talk to?
Stakeholder Management
Oversee sector(s) of work.
Manage the relationships with the Nominating Organisations.
Escalation point for relationship/stakeholder issues
Stakeholder engagement Manager
Support New Work Opportunities
Project prioritisation process.
Project proposals.

13. Adequate stakeholder support Clear scope Robust net benefit case.
What is the process?
Key Questions for Proposal
What do you want to do?
Why do you want to do it?
Do you have support?
Do not want to set false expectations
Happy to help stakeholder discussions.
Standards Australia will consider a project proposal and notes three key criteria needs to be met, being:
Adequate stakeholder support
Clear scope
Robust net benefit case.

14. How do I get engaged?
Take the opportunity to get involved in the decision making process.
Join a Committee
Public Comment
Speak to me!

15. Questions