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Nearly 70,000 people attended the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) Telecom World conference last week in Hong Kong to discuss international standardization of telecommunications technologies, among other things. The leading global organization for information and…
NSF International Strategic Registrations Ltd. (NSF-ISR) was recently accredited to AS9110 by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB). The registrar reports it is the first in North America to receive ANAB approval to offer AS9110 registration. The standard incorporates ISO 9001…
RABQSA International Inc. recently announced the formation of an accreditation scheme for auditors that conduct audits using standards that pertain to heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses. The Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (HVA) auditor certification scheme was developed by RABQSA’s…
The United Nations Global Compact Office recently agreed to cooperate with the International Organization for Standardization’s effort to develop ISO 26000, which pertains to social responsibility. ISO has emphasized that ISO 26000 will complement existing public and private sector…
The Automotive Industry Action Group will host a conference on the development of interoperability standards for the automotive industry. The National Institute of Standards and Technology estimates that the automotive industry wastes $5 billion annually due to a lack of interoperability…
The Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSIP) recently recommended the adoption of three interoperability specifications to the American Health Information Community. HITSIP is a multistakeholder group that develops data standards for American health care companies. The…
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers recently announced a new standard relating to the skills required of pipeline workers. "ASME B31Q: Pipeline Personnel Qualification Standard" details the tasks typically performed by pipeline workers, and can be used to qualify pipeline…
On Nov. 16 and 17 in Arlington, Virginia, the Identity Theft Prevention and Identity Management Standards Panel (IDSP) will start work on a comprehensive set of standards and guidelines that businesses and other organizations can use to prevent and respond to identity theft and fraud.…
The latest in the International Organization for Standardization’s series of documents for supply chain security management systems provides requirements for ensuring that certification bodies perform their work competently and reliably. ISO/PAS 28003:2006, "Security management systems for the…
The American Society of Safety Engineers recently announced the release of a revised standard for construction safety. A10.44-2006, “control of energy sources (lockout/tagout) for construction and demolition operations,” recognizes the need for protection of personnel and property from…
China’s National Development and Reform Commission has adopted EtherNet/IP as a machinery industry standard for that country. EtherNet/IP is one of the network technologies that composes the family of networks built on the Common Industrial Protocol, and extends interoperability among…
The International Organization for Standardization technical committee that develops standards for the oil and gas industry was recently honored with the Lawrence D. Eicher Leadership Award. The award recognizes outstanding work in international standardization, and is named for Eicher…
A new standard from the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission is designed to increase confidence in management system certification. ISO/IEC 17021:2006, "Conformity assessment—Requirements for bodies providing audit and…
The American National Standards Institute and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, along with the Standardization Administration of China, recently launched a new online portal to simplify trade between the United States and China. Designed primarily for industry…
The American National Standards Institute will host its 2006 Annual Conference on Oct. 11 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. Carlos Gutierrez, Department of Commerce secretary, will deliver the keynote address, focusing on how standards…
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association is developing a new standard for a new technology called broadband over power lines (BPL). BPL will allow consumers to access the Internet, send e-mail and automate their homes simply by plugging into an…
A new standard in the ISO 14000 series is expected to help users increase business support and confidence, while promoting their environmental credentials and performance. ISO 14063: 2006, ”Environmental management—Environmental communication—Guidelines and examples,” will help…
Two new documents published by the International Organization for Standardization address supply chain security. The documents will help implement ISO/PAS 28000:2005, a recently published specification for supply chain security management systems. They’re part of a suite of standards…
The release of an updated version of ISO 9001 has been delayed until the middle of 2009. The update was scheduled for release in 2008, but a failure to obtain sufficient support for a draft of the standard at a meeting recently held in Ireland has pushed it back, reports Quality Systems…
The U.S. World Standards Day Planning Committee recently named Constance A. Morella, U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, as the recipient of the Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award. Morella received the award as recognition for her role in…
The International Organization for Standardization reports an 18-percent increase in the number of international registrations issued for ISO 9001 in its annual ISO Survey of Certifications. The survey is ISO’s main barometer for measuring international use of and compliance with its…
The National Committee for Quality Assurance recently added new requirements for health plans seeking accreditation to its Quality Plus program. The change becomes effective in 2007.Candidate health plans will have to demonstrate that they provide their members with information to help…
Attendees at the Conference of African Ministers of Industry recently affirmed the role of international standards and conformity assessment in helping to develop commerce in Africa. The conference produced a formal report, in which it “reiterate[s] the commitment of our governments and call[…
The International Organization for Standardization has published a new standard to clarify types of environmental labels used to designate potentially harmful products. ISO 14025:2006, "Environmental labels and declarations—Type III environmental declarations—Principles and procedures"…
Companies are now expected to be able to lower recalls and warranty costs with a new Automotive Industry Action Group guideline that monitors parts undergoing heat treatment. Heat treatment is a special process that improves strength, fatigue life, ductility, wear and corrosion resistance on…