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.
UL Launches Product Registry for Transparency in Dietary Supplement Industry
UL, an ANSI member and audited designator, has partnered with the Council for Responsible Nutrition to develop an online registry of products in the dietary supplement industry. The Supplement OWL (Online Wellness Library) will facilitate transparency in the industry, providing stakeholders with information on ingredients and products in the marketplace.
Regulators, retailers, and consumers can access the free registry at supplementowl.ulprospector.com to examine, evaluate, and compare product labels and information. Manufacturers can share information with all stakeholders, as well as privately and securely with regulators.
"The industry needed to create greater transparency and communicate a complete picture of the marketplace for regulators, retailers, industry stakeholders, and ultimately, consumers," said Erik Eberhart, UL business development manager - food, beverage & nutrition. "After researching options for a supplement product label registry, the Council for Responsible Nutrition's (CRN) Board authorized the creation of a new, industry-administered product registry. They selected UL as their partner based on UL's trusted reputation and longevity in the information exchange business."
Supplement OWL is currently accepting product labels. See the UL news item for more information.
NFPA Offers Grill Safety Tips for Summer BBQs
As the weather warms up, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an ANSI member and audited designator, is offering tips for safe grilling and prevention of grilling fires.
According to an NFPA report, more than half of all households have a gas grill, and grilling fire incidents peak in July, followed by May, June, and August. Charcoal grills, too, post a risk for fires and burn injuries.
In addition to videos on grilling safety and how to check a gas grill for leaks, NFPA provides the following list of tips:
- Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must be used outdoors.
- Grills should be placed far from the home or deck, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Children and pets should be kept a safe distance from the grill area (at least three feet away).
- Keep the grill clean. Remove grease and fat buildup from the grates and trays below.
- Never leave a grill unattended.
Learn more in the NFPA news item.
ASME Unveils Website for Biomedical Engineering Professionals
ASME, an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has launched a new website geared towards members of the multidisciplinary biomedical engineering arena. The Alliance of Advanced Biomedical Engineering (AAMBE) site aims to engage stakeholders in industry, research, academia, and government in collaboration and information sharing across disciplines.
AAMBE offers free access to networking opportunities and communication within the biomedical community. Participants also receive a subscription to a newsletter with exclusive content on biomedical engineering and related markets, as well as access to a curated topic search of ASME's Digital Collection and discounts on select ASME biomedical events.
"The Alliance of Advanced Biomedical Engineering represents ASME's effort to bring together diverse sectors in the broad cross-disciplinary field of biomedical engineering to bridge the gap between basic research and applied research for the next generation of potentially life-saving medical technologies," said Jeff Patterson, chief operating officer of ASME. "The need for collaboration in this arena is required to advance the field and ASME is championing the efforts to make this a reality."
See the ASME news item to learn more.
IA Revives Water Webinar Series
The Irrigation Association (IA), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has announced the return of its popular webinar series, "Bringing Water to Life."
The free webinars cover issues that affect the agriculture and landscape segments of the irrigation industry. Participants will learn from industry experts and earn continuing education units towards IA certification. After airing, webinars are published on IA's YouTube channel.
The next webinar will be held on June 8 at 2pm Eastern, covering "Agricultural Irrigation in the Mississippi River Basin." See the full webinar schedule and register for upcoming webinars on IA's website.