International
Accreditation – Memorandum of Understanding strengthens international cooperation
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding with the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), strengthening their cooperation on accreditation.
The new agreement provides the three organisations with a mechanism to collaborate with each other at strategic and planning levels, in addition to the work already being carried out at a technical level.
Accreditation is the formal recognition by a specialised accreditation body, that a certification body, an inspection body, or a testing laboratory, is competent to perform its activities. It is an important and recognised way of generating confidence in international trade. It involves the evaluation and recognition of operators involved in testing, calibration, and inspection, as well as in assessing the conformity of products, services, management systems, and personal competence, based on international Standards and guides developed by ISO and its partner, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
Nanomaterials – new Technical Report addresses occupational safety issues
Standards New Zealand participates on New Zealand's 'Nanotechnology Regulatory Subgroup', to ensure developments by the International Organization for Standardization, and nanotech impacts, are communicated to New Zealand stakeholders.
A new Technical Report on Nanotechnologies – Health and safety practices in occupational settings relevant to nanotechnologies, ISO/TR 12885:2008, provides advice to prevent adverse health and safety consequences during the production, handling, use, and disposal of manufactured nanomaterials.
The field of nanotechnologies is advancing rapidly and is expected to impact on virtually every facet of global industry and society. The introduction of new engineered nanomaterials into the workplace raises questions about occupational safety and health. While international Standards are being developed to address these questions, ISO/TR 12885 provides users with useful knowledge on occupational safety and health practices in the c ...read more [opens in new window]
ISO achieves record membership of Standards institutes of 160 countries
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the world's largest developer of international Standards, has achieved a new record for membership of the organisation, which now comprises the national Standards institutes of 160 countries.
ISO's network of national members covers all regions of the world and includes 122 developing economies. ISO Secretary-General Rob Steele comments, 'It's significant that even in these times of global financial crisis, the ISO family is growing.'
'The benefits that ISO Standards can deliver to business, government, and society as a whole are increasingly recognised. Through membership of ISO, countries can contribute to and influence the Standards that are most important to their economies and receive early warning of forthcoming Standards.'
Biometrics for identifying people – new ISO/IEC report clarifies issues
A new Technical Report by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission clarifies societal, cultural, and ethical issues related to the use of biometrics in security systems for identifying people.
ISO/IEC TR 24714-1:2008, Information technology – Biometrics – Jurisdictional and societal considerations for commercial applications – Part 1: General guidance, offers guidance on the design of systems that use biometric technologies to capture, process, and record biometric information.
Biometric technologies are currently required in many public and private sector applications worldwide to authenticate an individual's identity, secure national borders, and restrict access to secure sites including buildings and computer networks.
International Standards contribute to global challenges – Davos 2009
Standardisation is a true opportunity for New Zealand right now. Standards can improve productivity, facilitate trade, increase innovation, and reduce regulatory burdens. They can do this by reducing costs by delivering economies of scale, acting as a spur to economic growth and promoting innovation, and supporting less regulation from government.
International standardisation also removes trade barriers, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) highlighted how Standards contribute to global challenges, at 'Davos 2009' in Switzerland in February – the 39th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). ISO Deputy Secretary-General Kevin McKinley was actively involved in many sessions where international Standards offer solutions to address global challenges.
Kevin commented: 'international Standards provide a common global lexicon for matters of trade, health, safety, security, communication, and such interconnected challenges as climate c ...read more [opens in new window]
Product marking – increasing machine-readability
Global industries widely use machine-readable markings, such as bar codes, on products for inventory control, quality control, and product life cycle management. Common technologies, data structures, conformance, and applications standards, are necessary to enable all trading partners to gain the maximum benefits from such markings, both internally and along the supply chain.
ISO 28219:2009, Packaging – Labelling and direct product marking with linear bar code and two-dimensional symbols, defines the machine-readable (linear, two dimensional, and composite symbols) and human readable content, as well as the physical characteristics of the symbols for direct marking and labelling of items, parts, and components.
Mr. Hirokuni Ono, Chair of the ISO technical committee, Packaging, says, 'A number of different product labelling and marking Standards exist, each designed to meet the requirements of a specific industry sector.'
'For effective and economic use within and between industry sectors, one common multi-industry Standard, such as ISO 28219:2009, is a necessity. A standard linear bar code or two-dimensional symbol marked on a product or part will facilitate the automation of inventory control, quality control, and product life cycle management.'
Exhibitions – first international Standard
A new international Standard, ISO 25639:2008, is expected to bring greater transparency and consistency to the exhibition industry worldwide, by providing internationally agreed terminology and statistical methods.
'ISO 25639 will provide the common reference that enables a high level of professionalism in an increasingly global exhibition arena,' says Stephen Tan, leader of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) exhibition terminology committee. 'Industry players, which include exhibition organisers, contractors, venue operators, freight forwarders, and auditing firms, will be able to communicate consistently to all companies and corporations. This will facilitate the evaluation of statistical information and thereafter, the decision-making process.'
ISO 25639-1:2008, Exhibitions, shows, fairs and conventions – Part 1, Vocabulary, includes terms and definitions often used in the exhibition industry. ISO 25639-2:2008, Exhibitions, shows, fairs and conventions – Part 2, Measurement procedures for statistical purposes, provides standard measurement procedures, to increase confidence in statistics related to exhibitions.
Seminar – A day in the life of a digital learning resource: from access to reuse
The Ministry of Education is presenting a one-day seminar on digital learning resources. The seminar draws on expertise from committee members on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) joint technical committee, JTC1 SC36, in information technology for learning, education, and training.
- What is the latest thinking in Standards to ensure you can effectively store, retrieve, and share digital work?
- How will the new internet copyright regulations affect how digital learning resources are used?
This one-day conference is jam-packed with presentations from New Zealand and international experts, provocative panel discussions, and a showcase of some of the latest available websites and resources.
Time: Registration from 8 – 9am, seminar ends at 5pm
Date: Thursday 19 March 2009
Where: Wellington Town Hall, Wellington
Registration fee: Only $200 plus GST for this unique opportunity
Register at: www.minedu.govt.nz/dayinthelife
AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS
To purchase hard copy Australian Standards, please email enquiries@standards.co.nz or call 0800 782 632.
New Australian Standards available
AS 1141 Methods for sampling and testing aggregates
-
AS 1141.30.1-2009 Coarse aggregate quality by visual comparison
This Standard sets out the method for determining a quality classification of coarse aggregate by visual comparison with pre-prepared reference specimens. The method is used to determine the proportion of particles in a sample with different quality characteristics which can be distinguished by visual characteristics. In some sources, it may be difficult to establish a rock quality classification based on visual comparison alone. In such cases the method is inappropriate. Supersedes AS 1141.30-1996 in part. $44.89+GST (Members), $56.11+GST (Retail).
-
AS 1141.30.2-20
...read more [opens in new window]
BRITISH STANDARDS
The publications listed below are new and revised British Standards that were made available last month. An existing BSI publication bearing a number identical to one announced below is automatically withdrawn unless stated otherwise. In all other cases of supersession, details are given and a corresponding entry appears in the 'British Standards withdrawn' section.
To purchase hard copy British Standards, please email enquiries@standards.co.nz or call 0800 782 632.
British Standards available now
- BS 6222-2:2009 Domestic kitchen equipment. Fitted kitchen units, peninsular units, island units and breakfast bars. Performance requirements and test methods
Supersedes BS 6222-2:1997 and BS 6222-5:1995
- BS 6798:2009 Specification for installation and maintenance of gas-fired boilers of rated input not exceeding 70 kW net
Supersedes BS 67 ...read more [opens in new window]
IEC PUBLICATIONS
The following IEC publications are 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.
- IEC 60068 Environmental testing
- IEC 60068-2-14:2009 (Edition 6) Tests. Test N. Change of temperature
- IEC 60068-2-38:2009 (Edition 2) Tests. Test Z/AD. Composite temperature/humidity cyclic test
- IEC 60115-8:2009 (Edition 2) Fixed resistors for use in electronic equipment. Sectional specification. Fixed surface mount resistors
- IEC 60204-1:2005 Safety of machinery. Electrical equipment of machines. General requirements AMENDMENT 1:November 2008
- IEC 60317-16:1990 Specifications for particular types of winding wires. Polyester enamelled rectangular copper wire, class 155 AMENDMENT 2:January 2009
- IEC 60794 Opt ...read more [opens in new window]
ISO PUBLICATIONS
The following ISO publications are 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.
- ISO 148-2:2008 (Edition 2) Metallic materials. Charpy pendulum impact test. Verification of testing machines
- ISO/TR 230-8:2009 Test code for machine tools. Determination of vibration levels
- ISO 730:2009 Agricultural wheeled tractors. Rear-mounted three-point linkage. Categories 1N, 1, 2N, 2, 3N, 3, 4N and 4
- ISO 863:2008 (Edition 2) Cement. Test methods. Pozzolanicity test for pozzolanic cements
- ISO 1112:2009 (Edition 3) Horology. Functional and non-functional jewels
- ISO 1628-1:2009 (Edition 3) Plastics. Determination of the viscosity of polymers in dilute solution using capillary viscometers. General principles
- ISO 1924-2:2008 (Edit ...read more [opens in new window]