Fitting child seats made safe and simple – new Standard

Environmental management systems – new Standard on phased implementation to benefit SMEs

Review of home and community support sector Standard

Director-General of the World Trade Organization talks to ISO about international Standards

Compliance in the public sector – reminder – feedback requested on draft guide for compliance agencies

How to stay safe when using quad bikes on farms – new guidelines

National Integrated ticketing interoperability standards assurance – new contract

SNZ HB 3604:2011 Timber-Framed Buildings Handbook: Excerpts from NZS 3604:2011 – available for public comment until 16 March 2011

• Update from Debbie Chin
• Canterbury recovery – information from Department of Labour

Update from Debbie Chin

The earthquake on Tuesday 22 February shocked and saddened our Standards Council members and everyone at Standards New Zealand. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go to everyone who has been affected by the devastation caused by what we have been told was a 'one in 2,500 years' event.

I also want to pass on the messages of support and sympathy we have received from the national, regional, and international Standards communities – the many heartfelt thoughts I have received have been extended to all New Zealanders who have lost loved ones, who were injured, and to those who are contending with extremely difficult living and working conditions.

We want to do what we can to help our many Cantabrian members, committee members, nominating organisations, subscribers, and customers whose businesses have been affected as your community begins to recover and rebuild.

Here are the ways we can assist you:

• We are setting up a travel fund to provide financial support to Canterbury-based committee members affected by the earthquake who need financial assistance to enable them to attend development meetings in New Zealand. We will be sending details about this direct to these committee members shortly. If you don't hear from us and feel you are eligible for this assistance, please email michelle.wessing@standards.co.nz, General Manager Solutions.
• We are setting up a special room at our offices at 155 The Terrace for our Canterbury--based members, committee members, nominating organisations, customers, and subscribers to use when you visit Wellington. It will be equipped with desks, a telephone, and internet-enabled PCs, (or you are welcome to use your own laptop and access our Wi-Fi connection). You will also be welcome to use our kitchen facilities

  You won't need to book – simply come to the counter on Level 10 and sign in, then ring the bell and let our Customer Services staff know you'd like to use the Canterbury Room. The room will be available from Monday 21 March.

• In the coming two weeks, we will be contacting the many industry associations and organisations we deal with to offer a special, free 6 month Online Library subscription to any of their Canterbury-based members who have lost their hard copy Standards collections, their PCs/servers, and PDF collections of Standards to enable access to their chosen Standards.
• If your business is unable to operate or you are experiencing financial hardship directly due to the earthquake and you require a time extension for payment for Standards, please contact us by emailing enquiries@standards.co.nz and we will set up an appropriate extension arrangement for you.

If there are other ways we can assist, do please let us know by emailing enquiries@standards.co.nz

Kia kaha

Debbie Chin
Chief Executive
Standards New Zealand

Canterbury recovery – information from the Department of Labour

• Have you got questions about the safety of your workplace?
• Have you got questions about your pay and employment?
• Not sure about responsibilities as an employer, building owner?
• Wondering how to work with staff in difficult times?

The Department of Labour is operational and has staff ready to help. Visit the Department of Labour website www.dol.govt.nz/quake or phone 0800 20 90 20 (let them know you are from Canterbury).

After the earthquake – Department of Labour advice

The Department of Labour's advice is designed to help businesses and their employees make good, safe, sensible, and practical decisions in this difficult time and covers:

• Managing Health and Safety in the workplace
• Payment of wages
• Leave for employees
• Flexible working arrangements and terminating employment
• Problem solving support

For information onhealth and safety and employment relations issues that employers and employees may be considering in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake, visit www.dol.govt.nz/quake or phone 0800 20 90 20 (let them know you are from Canterbury).