Jim Sanford named recipient of Standards Leadership Award.
Press Release Summary:
Jim Sanford, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Market Access and Industrial Competitiveness, has been selected as 2009 recipient of Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award, which recognizes leadership in promoting role of standardization in eliminating global barriers to trade. In his current position, Sanford addresses concerns about non-tariff barriers such as standards and conformity assessment requirements as they relate to Doha Development Round trade negotiation efforts of WTO.
Original Press Release:
Jim Sanford Named Recipient of Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award
Jim Sanford, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Market Access and Industrial Competitiveness, has been selected by the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day Planning Committee as the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award. He will be honored by members of the U.S. standardization community on Wednesday evening, October 7, 2009, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.
Named for the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the Ron Brown award recognizes demonstrated leadership in promoting the important role of standardization in eliminating global barriers to trade. It is presented during the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day, an annual event which celebrates the accomplishments of the U.S. standardization and conformity assessment community and recognizes its efforts to promote American competitiveness in a global marketplace, safeguard the environment, and improve the quality of life for workers and consumers around the world. The theme for this year's event, Standards for Environmental Stewardship, recognizes the critical role of standards and conformity assessment programs in key issues that affect the environment, from sustainable products and buildings to greenhouse gases and energy conservation.
Mr. Sanford was nominated by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) for his outstanding contributions to the use of standardization to reduce trade barriers. In his current position, he addresses concerns about non-tariff barriers such as standards and conformity assessment requirements as they relate to the Doha Development Round trade negotiation efforts of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Mr. Sanford made important contributions to standards and conformity assessment policy in his previous position as well, serving as deputy U.S. trade representative for Europe, where he negotiated Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with Europe for a number of product sectors. His tireless efforts continue to assure that standards and conformity assessment are used as tools, rather than barriers, to market access worldwide.
Celebrated annually in October, World Standards Day pays tribute to the thousands around the world who participate in standardization activities, and helps to raise awareness of the role that standards play in addressing national and global priorities. The event has been celebrated since 1970 and is recognized in nations around the globe. U.S. activities are organized annually by a planning committee consisting of representatives from across the standards and conformity assessment community. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) co-chair the event each year. UL will serve as the 2009 administrating organization in celebration of their 115th anniversary.
More information about the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day 2009, Standards for Environmental Stewardship, is available at www.wsd-us.org.
