National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of ISO 23882:2026.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 30 September 2026.

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.

This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 275, Sludge recovery, recycling, treatment and disposal.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes risk communication as the “exchange of real-time information, advice and opinions between experts and people facing threats to their health, economic or social well-being”.^[11^] This definition highlights the importance of timely, transparent, and two-way communication between technical experts and affected stakeholders and Indigenous Peoples1 in situations involving potential or perceived risks.

The beneficial use of biosolids2 produced from industrial and municipal sludge, as well as biosolids-derived products (e.g. composts and growing media), is widely practiced across many jurisdictions as part of resource recovery. International standards, including ISO 19698, provide guidance on the safe and sustainable use of biosolids. These standards support consistent approaches to biosolids management by addressing key aspects such as characterization, handling, treatment, and land application.

Beneficial uses of biosolids are associated with varying levels of public interest and concern. Public perception in this context is shaped by multiple interacting factors, including levels of understanding, prior experience, trust in responsible authorities, and broader social and cultural values.

Effective risk communication is therefore an essential component in supporting transparency, informed decision-making, and meaningful stakeholder and Indigenous Peoples engagement. It plays a key role in addressing concerns, contextualizing risks and benefits, and strengthening confidence in the safe and responsible use of biosolids.

1 Scope

This document provides guidance for communicating the risks related to the beneficial use of biosolids produced from industrial and municipal sludge and municipal biosolids derived products (e.g. composts, growing medium) and for managing public perception related to their use.

This document:

defines key concepts related to risk and risk communication;
provides context for risk in relation to the beneficial use of biosolids;
describes public perceptions and responses to the beneficial use of biosolids at a global scale;
outlines risk communication principles, methods, and tools;
includes case studies and examples of communication strategies.

This document can also be used to support the development of biosolids management plans, particularly in relation to community consultation, engagement, and communication activities.

In addition, it can be applied, where appropriate, to risk communication associated with other beneficial uses of biosolids or similar materials.

This document does not apply to communication regarding hazardous sludge originating from wastewater that, due to its physical, chemical, or infectious properties, can pose significant risks to human health or the environment during use, handling, storage, or transportation, and requires specialized disposal methods.

The definition of “beneficial use of biosolids” is outside the scope of this document.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Risk management, assessment and communication

4.1 Risk

4.2 Risk management

4.3 Risk assessment

5 Public attitudes to biosolids

5.1 General

5.2 Perception in communications

5.3 Misconceptions about biosolids

6 Real hazards and risks surrounding beneficial use of biosolids

6.1 General

6.2 Biosolids and risk

6.3 Understanding and communicating acceptable risk

7 Risk communication

8 Most effective practices in risk communication and managing public perception

8.1 General

8.2 Information provided

8.3 Sociocultural values and perspectives

8.4 Learning styles

8.5 Generational considerations

8.6 Timing of communications

9 Tools to communicate risk

9.1 General

9.2 Digitized communication tools

9.3 Key messages

9.4 Appropriate spokesperson(s)

9.5 Media toolkits

10 Trust and credibility

Bibliography