(ANSI: Washington) -- Every time we plug in a cell phone, shop online, or hit “send” on an e-mail, standards are at work. And yet, for those outside of the standards community, standards and related conformance activities can seem complicated and confusing.

(ISO: Geneva, Switzerland) -- The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has just published a new standard to help organizations, and in particular, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), use a phased approach to implement an environmental management system (EMS).

(International Quality and Productivity Center: London) -- Have you ever wondered if your office could be leaner and more efficient?

(Sunnen Products Co.: St. Louis) -- Sunnen’s SV-1005 series vertical computer numerical controlled (CNC) honing system with integrated air gauging system provides closed-loop control of tool size, along with downloadable statistical process control (SPC) data.

(Parsec Automation Corp.:Brea, CA) -- Parsec Automation Corp., developer of TrakSYS and a leader in real-time manufacturing operations and performance management software, will present a 45-minute webinar designed to help companies improve manufacturing performance on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

(Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.: Ecublens, Switzerland) -- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, has announced the launch of an improved method for ultra-fast analysis of inclusions in aluminum using optical emission spectroscopy (OES).

(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- Beginning March 1, 2011, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will no longer provide calibration services for mercury thermometers.

If a manufacturer were to ask its clients how they evaluated goods or services, the three most common metrics would be goods at a fair price, on-time delivery, and quality.

Most pharmaceutical companies have an internal current good manufacturing practices’ (CGMP) auditing program administered at the site and corporate levels of the organization.

(AMA: New York City) -- Learn to position yourself as a valued insider even if you do your best thinking outside the conference room.