ANSI announces 5 new international standardization projects.
Press Release Summary:
ANSI is leading efforts to inform U.S. stakeholders about 5 new international standardization activities led by ISO Project Committee, PC 231, Brand valuation; and PC 235, Rating services; an effort to lay down terms, definitions, and service requirements for professional credit assessments. Both are expected to be published in 2010. PC 240, Product recall; PC 239, Network services billing; and PC 241, Road-Traffic Safety Management System are also working on standardization projects.
Original Press Release:
U.S. Stakeholders Invited to Participate in New ISO Activities
New Project Committees Address Brand Valuation, Rating Services, Product Recall, Network Services Billing, and Road Safety Management
New York April 24, 2008
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is leading efforts to inform U.S. stakeholders about five new international standardization activities in the areas of financial services, consumer products and services, and safety.
As the official U.S. member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ANSI works to increase U.S. awareness of international standardization issues and facilitates the involvement of any interested stakeholders from the private and public sectors - including business and industry, standards developing organizations, academia, consumer representatives, and government agencies.
Brand Valuation
As mergers and takeovers occur more frequently in our global economy, a reliable and comparable monetary assessment of a company's success helps to evaluate its potential worth. A new ISO Project Committee, PC 231, Brand valuation, seeks to develop a standard that will specify requirements for the procedures and methods of monetary brand value measurement.
Working toward a publication date of 2010, the committee is inviting financial services providers, research organizations, and high-profile industrial firms to participate in the standards development process.
Rating Services
From credit institutions and investment firms to insurance businesses, rating and assessment have become obligatory components of the credit process. In an effort to lay down terms, definitions, and service requirements for professional credit assessments, ISO has established a new project committee - PC 235, Rating services.
The committee's work efforts draw upon the expertise of participating financial services providers. U.S. stakeholders are invited to join the committee and contribute to a new standard that is expected to be published in 2010.
Product Recall
PC 240, Product recall, will work to develop a market-oriented international standard to help organizations plan and execute timely and cost-effective product recalls, minimizing legal risks, and contributing to customer satisfaction and loyalty.
An initiative originally proposed by the ISO Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO), this new standard will assist companies in establishing, implementing and managing an effective, flexible and responsive consumer product recall program. Including such corrective actions as repair, placement, re-purchase, and public notice, the standard will provide guidance on products that are still in the manufacturer's inventory, on retail shelves, or already in the hands of consumers.
Many different types of organizations have a stake in consumer product development. PC 240 is inviting participation by any interested party, including manufacturers, retailers, importers, testing organizations, providers of third party recall services, legal firms, government regulators, and consumers/safety organizations.
Network Services Billing
Anyone who has received an inaccurate or late bill for their gas, electric, water, or telephone services can understand why billing is one of the main sources of customer complaints against utilities.
A new ISO activity, PC 239, Network services billing, seeks to develop a standard that will provide a framework for transparent billing information and enquiry redress systems, as well as a customer-oriented approach to billing and the provision of retail network services. Participation in this activity is encouraged for any interested stakeholder, particularly utility services companies, information technology developers, and consumer organizations.
Road Safety Management
With more than 1.2 million people per year killed in road crashes around the world, road safety is a serious public health issue. More than 200 ISO standards already relate to certain aspects of road safety, but a new management system standard from PC 241, Road-Traffic Safety Management System, will provide a structured, holistic approach to road safety that will complement government and industry programs and initiatives.
Following the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach pioneered by ISO 9001, Quality management and ISO 14001, Environmental management, PC 241 is inviting participation by any interested party, including representatives of organizations responsible for road traffic infrastructure, public authorities, government departments, the transport sector, manufacturers, and emergency and health services.
For more information about any of these ISO activities or to express interest in leading or participating on a U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG), contact Rachel Howenstine, ANSI program administrator, standards facilitation (212.642.4938; rhowenstine@ansi.org).
