ANSI encourages stakeholder participation in ISO activities.
Press Release Summary:
As U.S. member of ISO, ANSI invites stakeholders to be involved with activities of PC 245, Cross-border trade of second-hand goods, in creating related standard. ANSI has also created and is looking for additional members of TAG to PC 245. Committee PC 231, Brand valuation, is developing draft International Standard 10668, while other opportunities include developments of PC 240, Product recall; ISO PC 239, Network services billing; and PC 243, Consumer product safety.
Original Press Release:
U.S. Stakeholders Invited to Participate in Key ISO Activities
As the official U.S. member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) works to increase U.S. awareness of international standardization issues and facilitates the involvement of all interested stakeholders from the private and public sectors.
The following updates address active ISO Project Committees (PCs) that may be of interest to U.S. stakeholders, including business and industry, standards developing organizations, academia, consumer representatives, and government agencies.
Cross-Border Trade of Second Hand Goods
The trade of second-hand goods across international borders is becoming increasingly prevalent, especially for developing countries and those with economies in transition. A new project committee has been established by ISO to guide this cross-border trade. PC 245, Cross-border trade of second-hand goods, will develop a standard that sets minimum criteria for second-hand products that are being offered for sale, donated, exchanged, traded, or purchased both locally and abroad.
The first meeting of PC 245 will be held in China in September 2009. Fourteen countries are currently participating, with four more acting as observers.
ANSI has established a U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to PC 245 and is currently seeking additional members to join the TAG.
Brand Valuation
Another ISO Project Committee, PC 231, Brand valuation, is currently developing a standard that will facilitate the reliable and comparable monetary assessment of a company's success. This assessment will help to evaluate a company's potential worth in a global marketplace.
Draft International Standard (DIS) 10668, Monetary brand valuation, specifies requirements for procedures and methods of monetary brand value measurement. It includes a framework for this brand valuation, including objectives, bases and approaches to valuation, methods of valuation, and sourcing of quality data and assumptions. It also specifies methods of reporting the results of such valuation.
A U.S. TAG to PC 231 has not yet been established, but U.S. stakeholders are invited to join the committee and contribute to the development of the DIS.
Product Recall
PC 240, Product recall, is an ISO committee developing 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. The standard is currently titled, "Guidance standard on consumer product recall and corrective action: Code of good practice."
The committee held its first meeting in Malaysia in May. There are twelve participating countries and five more observing. Although a U.S. TAG has not yet been established, U.S. stakeholders with an interest in consumer product development are encouraged to participate.
Network Services Billing
ISO PC 239, Network services billing, is developing 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. This will benefit customers of gas, electric, water, telephone, and other services.
With its first meeting held in the United Kingdom in June, the PC has titled its preliminary work item, "Network Services Billing." Seven countries are participating, and five additional countries are observing. U.S. participation is encouraged in PC 239, particularly from utility services companies, information technology developers, consumer organizations, and any other interested organizations.
Consumer Product Safety
Consumer safety is a top priority in all aspects of a product's life cycle, from manufacturing to use to disposal. When safety concerns arise once a product is on the market, it is critical to assure that all consumers are aware of the problem.
A new ISO initiative, PC 243, Consumer product safety, focuses on developing a guidance standard to address product recalls entitled, "A practical guide for suppliers." Eighteen countries are participating in the PC, and four additional countries are observing.
The committee plans to hold its first meeting in October 2009 in Canada. Potential U.S. participants are urged to express their interest and join in the effort to develop this new guidance document.
For more information about any of these ISO activities or to express interest in establishing or participating on a U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG), contact Rachel Howenstine, ANSI program administrator, standards facilitation (212.642.4938; rhowenstine@ansi.org).
