ANSI Highlights Efforts of its members and partners.
Press Release Summary:
Ranyee Chiang, Chair of ISO TC 285, gave TEDxPlaceDesNations presentation on international standards, cookstoves, and health risks. Also, ANSI organized 1-day training Standards Alliance training in Accra, Ghana. Other happenings include free ASHRAE webcast on net-zero buildings (April 21), IAPMO release of its Drought Toolkit, IEEE-conducted survey on digital safety and cybersecurity's future, as well as free APA training webinars on engineered wood products (April 8 to May 13).
Original Press Release:
Did You Know?
Did You Know? offers a quick look at the broad scope of activities underway within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Federation of members and partners, highlighting recent accomplishments and new resources related to standardization.
TEDx Talk Focuses on Collaboration for Clean Cookstove Standards
Ranyee Chiang, director of standards, technology, and fuels at the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, hosted by the United Nations Foundation, recently gave a TEDxPlaceDesNations presentation in Geneva, where she highlighted how international standards have the power to improve cookstoves and reduce their associated health risks.
As chair of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 285, Clean cookstoves and clean cooking solutions, Ms. Chiang emphasized how almost half the world’s population, or 3 billion people, still cook on wood, charcoal, and dung burning stoves, which has dire consequences. “We don’t typically think of cooking as a health risk—it’s supposed to be nourishing. But smoke inhalation from cooking results in 4 million deaths a year, three times the number of deaths due to HIV/AIDS,” she said, explaining how efforts by the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves includes the development of standards for safer and cleaner outcomes.
Ms. Chang was a recipient of the ANSI Next Generation Award in 2015, which recognizes emerging standardization professionals who have demonstrated vision, leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to their field.
As part of its outreach efforts, ANSI recently partnered with the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves to organize a 1-day training Standards Alliance training in Accra, Ghana. Training included presentations from the ANSI-accredited U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to TC 285, the Ugandan National Bureau of Standards, and ISO Central Secretariat. Topics covered include stakeholder outreach and engagement, the fundamentals of setting up a national mirror committee (NMC), strategies for running and strengthening an NMC, consensus-building, as well as the ISO structure and process.
ASHRAE Webcast to Explore Net-Zero Buildings
ASHRAE, an ANSI member and audited designator, will hold a free webcast next month on net-zero buildings – buildings that use roughly the same amount of energy that they create on site each year.
“Making Net Zero Net Positive: Solving the Efficiency & Cost Paradox” will be held on April 21 from 1-4 pm EDT. The session will cover the behaviors of effective ownership, design, and construction teams, and how collaboration affects building design and costs.
The webcast is free, but registration is required. See the ASHRAE news item to learn more and register.
IAPMO Drought Toolkit Released for White House Water Summit
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), an ANSI member and audited designator, released a Drought Toolkit this week that was unveiled at the White House Water Summit as part of World Water Day.
The Drought Toolkit is a community guide of best practices and proven solutions to help city councils, code enforcement officials, and state legislatures achieve water savings of 20% or more in built environments. The guide, which contains simple and cost-effective measures for water conservation, is part of a White House commitment to address the water crisis in the United States.
Read more in the IAPMO press release.
IEEE Survey Indicates the Future of Digital Currency, Fears in Digital Security
A new survey conducted by IEEE, an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, gathered opinions on digital safety and the future of cybersecurity.
Respondents opined that by 2030, there would be a major shift in payment methods, with mobile payments being so secure and widespread that cash and credit cards would no longer be required. Participants also gave their opinions on cybersecurity, indicating that they were strongly concerned about personal information being linked to online banking and syncing to the cloud. In regards to email security, survey takers showed equal concern for the security of work email and personal email accounts.
See more survey results in the IEEE news item.
APA to Host Weekly Training Webinars on Engineered Wood Products
APA – The Engineered Wood Association, an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has announced that it will host free weekly webinars to train dealer and distributor sales staffs for the engineered wood industry.
Webinars will begin on April 8 and continue weekly through May 13, covering key topics related to I-joists, Rim Board, laminated veneer lumber, and glulam. Attendees can learn or refresh their knowledge, and share the information gained with retail teams and builder customers.
To see the list of webinars and register to attend, read the APA news item.
