Technical Barriers to Trade service – website and email alerts

In June, a new section of the Standards New Zealand website was launched to support our Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) services.

As a Party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, New Zealand is required to operate a national enquiry point to respond to TBT queries. Standards New Zealand operates the enquiry point on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Standards Australia Prioritisation and Selection Process – next steps

Standards Australia has implemented a rigorous and transparent process to assist in prioritising the Standards Development projects which will be resourced by Standards Australia.

The submission period for proposals for projects to be considered in the first prioritisation round for Standards Australia resourcing in 2010-11 closed on Tuesday 15 June 2010. Nearly 100 proposals covering approximately 300 projects were received from a wide range of stakeholders.

Lifts may save lives in emergencies – new ISO technical report

Common wisdom dictates that we do not take lifts (elevators) when evacuating buildings. However, a new ISO technical report reveals that lifts may be viable escape options, and provides a decision chart to help identify risks. These findings may save the lives of people who have difficulties using stairs, such as the disabled, the elderly, pregnant women, and small children.

Lifts (elevators) – Study of the use of lifts for evacuation during an emergency ISO/TR 25743:2010 investigates and highlights the main risks associated with using lifts to evacuate persons in various types of emergencies including fires, explosions, chemical or biological attacks, flooding, lightening or storm damage, earthquakes, and gas leakage.

Mechanical vibration, shock, and condition monitoring – CD collection of international Standards

ISO has published a CD-ROM compilation of 202 Standards and related documents addressing the field of mechanical vibration, shock, and the condition monitoring of machines – including vehicles, and structures, such as bridges and buildings.

The documents accessible on the Mechanical vibration, shock and condition monitoring ISO Standards collection on CD-ROM include the entire portfolio of ISO technical committee ISO/TC 108 'Mechanical vibration, shock and condition monitoring' and a selection of related ISO Standards.

Fat content of milk – ISO Standard provides guidelines

ISO and the International Dairy Federation (IDF) have published a new edition of the Standard providing testing requirements and guidelines to determine the fat content of milk, Milk – Determination of fat content – Gravimetric method (Reference method) ISO 1211|IDF 1:2010. In New Zealand ISO 1211|IDF 1 is the reference fat method used for payment purposes to farmers, herd improvement, and regulatory compliance testing.

ISO forms process evaluation group

ISO has established a process evaluation group (PEG) to assess the effectiveness of current ISO processes and to develop recommendations for consideration of the ISO technical management board.

The intention of the PEG's efforts is to reinforce the reputation and value of ISO's approach to international standardisation and international Standard development processes.

In order to fulfil its tasks the PEG has prepared the following generic set of questions.

Library registry – international Standard – adapted for the digital age

The third revision of a successful ISO Standard for libraries provides a state-of-the art registry framework. Information and documentation – Registry services for libraries and related organizations ISO 2146:2010 has been adapted to address the changes in methods of collecting information and exchanging data between libraries.

Web and voice conferencing – feedback from the ISO GoToMeeting software trial

ISO began a trial of a web and video conferencing tool, 'GoToMeeting', in November 2009. The tool has been trialled over the last 7 months for small meetings of no more than 20 people. GoToMeeting software uses web and voice conferencing to enable people who can’t be there in person to participate in international ISO meetings.

Most of the feedback received by ISO has been positive and suggests that this new tool will be of great benefit to ISO members to ensure future attendance at ISO meetings. Negative feedback received has mostly concerned known limitations in the software.

The contribution of Standards – ISO IT@work session, September 2010

ISO will hold an open session 'IT@work – the contribution of Standards' in Oslo on 16 September 2010, at the 33rd International Organization for Standardization (ISO) General Assembly. Standards provide a framework for the modern world of work, but it is an invisible one as many people are unaware of the huge contribution of Standards. This open session intends to highlight the influence and impact of Standards 'at work'.

Information technologies (IT) impact on people's work in all sectors, all over the world. Global supply chains, cross-border trade in goods and services, banking, and finance, depend on IT. Use of IT in the health sector and in technologies to improve sustainability of the environment is another crucial aspect that helps business and society operate efficiently. Compatibility and interoperability between IT hardware, software, and systems, is crucial to the development of global markets and to address global challenges.

AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS

To purchase PDF or hard copy Australian Standards, please email enquiries@standards.co.nz or call 0800 782 632 during business hours.

BRITISH STANDARDS

You can now purchase PDFs of British Standards from Standards New Zealand – please email enquiries@standards.co.nz or call 0800 782 632 during business hours to order PDFs. British Standard publications in hardcopy format are also available for purchase from our web site www.standards.co.nz by entering the Standard number and selecting the BSI button in the search panel.

IEC PUBLICATIONS

You can now purchase PDFs of IEC Standards from Standards New Zealand – please email enquiries@standards.co.nz or call 0800 782 632 during business hours to order PDFs. IEC Standards in hardcopy format are also available for purchase from our web site www.standards.co.nz by entering the Standard number and selecting the IEC button in the search panel.

ISO PUBLICATIONS

You can now purchase PDFs of ISO Standards from Standards New Zealand – please email enquiries@standards.co.nz or call 0800 782 632 during business hours to order PDFs. ISO Standards in hardcopy format are also available for purchase from our web site www.standards.co.nz by entering the Standard number and selecting the ISO button in the search panel.

ASTM STANDARDS

To purchase PDF or hard copy ASTM Standards, please email enquiries@standards.co.nz or call 0800 782 632 during business hours.