Voluntary Standards Cover the Spectrum: from Produce Handling to DMSMS Management

In an effort to communicate the vital role that standards play in daily life, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) will publish, on an ongoing basis, a series of snapshots of the diverse standards initiatives undertaken in the global and national standards arena, many of which are performed by ANSI members and ANSI-accredited standards developers. Two of the latest selections follow:

Produce Handling
As markets shift to new technologies, demand is reduced for earlier models. As a result, parts and components are discontinued, materials are no longer available, and product lines are dropped. This progression is known as Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS), and is of increasing concern as technology advances and component life cycles decrease.

TechAmerica, an ANSI organizational member and accredited standards developer, recently released TechAmerica STD-0016-2012, Standard for Preparing a DMSMS Management Plan, to aid manufacturers in addressing product disposal that is safe, effective, and environmentally sound. This ANS defines the requirements for developing a DMSMS management plan, helping organizations to put in place a proactive process for minimizing the cost and impact of part and material obsolescence.

TechAmerica is a non-profit, membership association that represents the entire spectrum of U.S. technology industries from software to semiconductors and from start-up firms to multi-national corporations. TechAmerica works to promote and protect the industry's interests through grassroots-to-global policy advocacy, standardization, professional development, and by providing access to commercial and government executives, peers, financial analysts, and investors.