If you have difficulty in submitting comments on draft standards you can use a commenting template and email it to admin.start@bsigroup.com. The commenting template can be found here.
Standards Development
This document specifies the performance test method for recovered reverse osmosis (RO) membranes intended for water reuse applications without potable use. It defines the test methods for key operating characteristics, including salt rejection and permeate flow, based on ISO 20466 (Guidance for performance grading of recovered reverse osmosis (RO) membranes for water reuse). In addition, the performance test methods for recovered RO membranes cannot always be directly applied from those used for new RO membranes, as some recovered RO membranes cannot be accurately evaluated using the same procedures. Accordingly, this document specifies the appropriate supplementary measures to be applied when necessary. This document is applicable to the spiral wound type of recovered membranes from seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) and brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) systems. This document does not cover the grading or classification of recovered membranes (see ISO 20466) or the regeneration process itself.
More than 15,000 desalination plants are currently operating in over 100 countries, with more than 80 % utilizing reverse osmosis (RO) membrane technology. Due to the rapid growth of large-scale desalination facilities, many RO membranes are being discarded after a typical service life of 5–10 years. In 2025 alone, an estimated 2 million RO membranes — corresponding to approximately 2,400 tons of waste — were disposed of globally. This results in significant environmental impact through landfill disposal and increased consumption of raw materials and energy for new membrane production.
ISO 20466: published in December 2024, provides guidance for performance grading of recovered RO membranes for water reuse. However, there is currently no internationally harmonized standard defining a reproducible performance test method or the necessary pretreatment procedure. During performance testing of recovered BWRO membranes from several manufacturers, a critical phenomenon has been observed in which salt rejection increases gradually over time, leading to inconsistent and unreliable test results. This technical gap hinders accurate evaluation, quality control, industrial-scale regeneration activities, and market confidence in recovered membranes. The purpose of this proposed standard is to establish a reliable and reproducible performance test method for recovered RO membranes in accordance with ISO 20466, together with a validated performance evaluation procedure specifically tailored to the characteristics of recovered RO membranes. This tailored pretreatment approach effectively stabilizes the rejection ratio, allowing consistent results to be obtained immediately after pretreatment.
This standard will provide the following benefits to key stakeholders:
• Regeneration service providers and technology developers (especially SMEs): standardized test protocols for industrial-scale quality assurance and certification.
• Water utilities, industrial users, and developing regions: access to verified, cost-effective recovered membranes suitable for wastewater reuse and irrigation.
• Environmental regulators and waste management authorities: promotion of circular economy practices, reduced landfill waste, and lower demand for virgin materials.
• Certification bodies and end-users: harmonized criteria that enhance market acceptance and facilitate international trade of recovered products.
By addressing technical variability, performance inconsistencies, and market-acceptance barriers, the standard will support new business models such as regeneration services, recycled membrane sales, and sustainable waste management. It will also contribute to the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals, particularly:
• SDG 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 12 — Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 9 — Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through improved resource efficiency, cost reduction, and CO emission savings associated with membrane reuse.
Extensive stakeholder consultations have been conducted in Japan through the national committee involving industry, academia, and government, confirming strong support for this work. A review of existing ISO deliverables and related activities in other organizations has confirmed no direct overlap with the proposed scope.
The proposer has prepared an initial outline and is ready to undertake the preparatory work. A project leader will be nominated upon approval. Resources are available to commence work immediately.
Required form fields are indicated by an asterisk (*) character.
You are now following this standard. Weekly digest emails will be sent to update you on the following activities:
You can manage your follow preferences from your Account. Please check your mailbox junk folder if you don't receive the weekly email.
You have successfully unsubscribed from weekly updates for this standard.
Comment by: