Environment
Water efficiency labelling – new technical advisory group
Standards New Zealand is forming a new 'technical advisory group' for water efficiency in New Zealand, to support New Zealand's interactions at the joint Australia-New Zealand technical committee WS-032.
The advisory group will provide administrative support, to help committee members to remain better informed and able to actively participate in the WS-032 committee in a balanced way, that is representative of all of New Zealand's interests. The group will also facilitate improved liaison with the Australian committee members, so that Australia can better understand New Zealand's needs.
For more information, contact Bruce Taylor, Senior Project Manager at Standards New Zealand: bruce.taylor@standards.co.nz.
Energy efficiency and renewable energy – call for stakeholder feedback on Standard for common international terminology
Standards New Zealand is seeking comments from affected stakeholders on a new work item proposal submitted by the Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR) to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), for a Standard on common international terminology for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.
AFNOR's proposal seeks to specify the terms and definitions used in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. It will provide support for the metrics, calculation, and assessment methods, methodologies, and best practices needed by policy makers, standardisation technical committees working on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, and other stakeholders. If approved, this international Standard will be developed under an ISO/IEC Joint Project Committee. ...[more]
Biofuels – update
Standards New Zealand is awaiting the outcome from a new work in progress ballot held at the end of last year, on whether the International Organization for Standardization should initiate a new Standard on 'Sustainability criteria for biofuels'. We will be in contact with stakeholders on the outcome once it is announced.
Meanwhile, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International has published new and revised Standards for biofuel quality:
- ASTM D6751-08: Revised to include the requirement of a cold soak filterability test that controls minor compounds and provides a more accurate reading of how the fuel will perform in cold weather conditions
- ASTM D975-08a: Specification for diesel fuel oils (on-and off-road applications). Revised to allow for up to 5% biodiesel content. This allows B5 blends to be treated the same as conventional diesel for testing purposes.
- ASTM D396-08b: Specification for fuel oils (home heating and boiler applications). Revised to allow for up to 5% biodiesel content. Like D975, this revision allows B5 blends to be treated the same as conventional fuel oil for testing purposes.
- ASTM D7467-08: Specification for diesel fuel oil, biodiesel blend (B6 to B20). A newly created Standard governing the properties of blends containing between 6 and 20% biodiesel for on- and off-road applications.
These ASTM Standards can be purchased from Standards New Zealand direct. Please email us at enquiries@standards.co.nz or call 0800 782 632.
Carbon footprint of products – update
New Zealand attended recent meetings in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, to progress work to develop a new international Standard on the carbon footprint of products and services. Standards New Zealand and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are coordinating interactions with New Zealand stakeholders, to ensure New Zealand's input is informed and representative of all national interests.
If you are interested in this work, please contact Angela Henderson at Standards New Zealand: angela.henderson@standards.co.nz.
New ISO Standard tackles recyclability of earth-moving machinery, and committee wins leadership award
End-of-life recycling has become a market requirement and an integral phase of a machine's life cycle, to reduce waste. Earth-moving machinery – Recyclability and recoverability – Terminology and calculation method, ISO 16714:2008, provides manufacturers with a much needed and internationally agreed tool.
This Standard helps manufacturers to evaluate the ability and potential of new machines to be recovered and/or recycled. Earth-moving machinery reaching the end of its useful life significantly contributes to the total volume of waste needing to be treated or disposed of. To ensure environmentally sound treatment of a machine and all its components when the time comes, it is essential that eventual recovery issues are already taken into account during the design phase, along with safety, emissions, fuel consumption, and other design considerations.
Environmental management systems – draft international Standard release for comment
Environmental management systems – Guidelines for the phased implementation of an environmental management system, including the use of environmental performance evaluation, ISO/DIS 14005, has been released for comment by member countries before 28 April 2009. The Standard is expected to be published in September 2010.
The Standard encourages and guides small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop and implement an environmental management system that meets the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004, Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use. Once finalised, ISO 14005 is expected to be adopted and recognised by countries worldwide.
If you are interested in this work, please contact Angela Henderson at Standards New Zealand: angela.henderson@standards.co.nz.
OTHER NEW PUBLICATIONS
AS/NZS 3580 Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air
AS/NZS 3580.2 Preparation of reference test atmospheres
AS/NZS 3580.2.2:2009 Compressed gas method
Sets out a method for the preparation of reference test atmospheres containing known concentrations of determinand(s), using a calibration gas dilution method. The method is applicable to components that do not react with each other, the cylinder walls or the dilution gas, and that remain totally vaporized in the cylinder at all pressures and temperatures anticipated during the preparation and use of the reference test atmosphere.
AS/NZS 3580.9 Determination of suspended particulate matter
AS/NZS 3580.9.7:2009 Dichotomous sampler (PM10, coarse PM and PM2.5) – Gravimetric method
Sets out a gravimetric procedure for the concurrent determination of the PM10 and PM2.5 fractions of suspended particulate matter in ambient air collected in a dichotomous sampler. The method provides a measure of the mean concentration of PM10 over the sampling period of the two size fractions, namely the fine fraction (less than approximately 2.5 µm) and the coarse fraction (2.5 µm to 10 µm). A procedure for assessing the performance of dichotomous samplers so that they comply with the sampling requirements of this method, is described in Appendix A.
DRAFT STANDARD AVAILABLE NOW FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Acoustics – Assessment and measurement of sound from wind turbines Committee: P6808
Project Manager: Bruce Taylor
Estimated Publication Date: October 2009
Comments: The draft Standard, DZ 6808 Acoustics – Wind farm noise was released for public comment on 24 February 2009. The closing date for public comments is 30 April 2009.
Download (free) draft now
DRAFT SPECIFICATION AVAILABLE NOW FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Draft revised specification Environmental Choice New Zealand
The following specification revision is open for public comment until 14 April 2009.
EC-24-09 Copying machines, Printers, Fax Machines & Multifunctional devices
Specification documents are available on www.enviro-choice.org.nz or by contacting
The New Zealand Ecolabelling Trust
PO Box 56-533, Dominion Road
Mt Eden, Auckland 1446
Tel: 09 845 3330
Fax 09 845 3331
Email: info@enviro-choice.org.nz
UPDATE ON STANDARDS IN DEVELOPMENT
Acoustics – Road traffic noise – New and altered roads Committee: P6806
Project Manager: Stuart Ng
Estimated Publication Date: July 2009
Comments: The draft is ready for public comment. Standards New Zealand is working with stakeholder organisations to coordinate workshops to assist those intending to submit public comment. The public comment process is expected to start in late March.