ANSI's Reinaldo Figueiredo Receives IAAC Distinguished Service Award
Reinaldo Figueiredo, senior program director of product certification accreditation at the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), was recently honored with a Distinguished Service Award from the InterAmerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC).
Mr. Figueiredo was honored for his vision and contributions to the IAAC during his tenure as IAAC chair from 1996 to 2000. During his years of service, IAAC initiated training projects that helped lead to the establishment of national accreditation bodies.
IAAC works to promote trade among the economies of the Americas through the development of an efficient and reliable regional accreditation and conformity assessment infrastructure.
Read more in the May 2011 issue of the IAAC Newsletter.
NFPA Launches Electric Vehicle Safety Video for Chevrolet Volt
As part of its Electric Vehicle Safety Training project, ANSI member and audited designator the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is partnering with General Motors and Chevrolet to help prepare the nation's fire service and other first responders for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road.
NFPA recently launched online an electric vehicle safety training video for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, an extended-range electric vehicle that hit the roads last fall. The training features an inside look at the vehicle's technology and safety systems.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the NFPA's Electric Vehicle Safety Training project provides first responders with the information and materials necessary to respond to emergency situations involving electric vehicles. Visit www.evsafetytraining.org for further details.
NIBS Establishes National Council of Governments on Building Codes and Standards
ANSI member the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) has announced the establishment of a National Council of Governments on Building Codes and Standards, and is currently seeking interested participants.
According to NIBS president Henry L. Green, Hon. AIA, the new council is intended to provide a forum for addressing long-term policy issues, developing common education and training programs, researching codes and standards provisions, and establishing a single point of engagement to communicate with federal agencies.
State, regional, and local government officials interested in participating on the National Council of Governments on Building Codes and Standards may contact Ryan Colker, director, consultative council/presidential advisor, at [email protected]. For more information, visit www.nibs.org.
RIA to Host Robot Safety Awareness Webinar
Robots are taking on increasingly varied roles in today's society, teaching English in classrooms, performing highly delicate surgery, and carrying out dangerous military missions.
ANSI member and accredited standards developer the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) develops standards for robotic technology, from safety and performance to mechanical and human interface. On July 19, RIA will host a webinar previewing RIA's updated robot safety standard, RIA R15.06, and basic compliance issues. For more than a decade, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has referred to ANSI/RIA R15.06-1999, Industrial Robots and Robot Systems - Safety Requirements, but technology has changed, and so has the standard. This free webinar will give participants a chance to hear about the changes before they go into effect.
Click here for more information or to register.
SAE International Earns U.S. TAG Accreditation
ANSI's Executive Standards Council (ExSC) has approved the accreditation of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 241, Project Committee (PC): Road Traffic Safety Management System. SAE International, a full ANSI organizational member, will serve as TAG Administrator.
For additional information, please contact: Maryvonne Jacquemart, SAE International standards specialist (phone: 248.273.2467; fax: 248.273.2494; [email protected]).
ASTM Applies for Two TAG Accreditations on Additive Manufacturing and Footwear
ASTM International, an ANSI member and audited designator, has submitted an application for accreditation for a proposed U.S. TAG to ISO TC 261, Additive Manufacturing, and a request for approval as TAG Administrator. For more information, or to offer comments on this application, contact Pat Picariello, ASTM director of developmental operations (610.832.9720; [email protected]), with a copy to [email protected].
ASTM has also submitted an application for accreditation for a proposed U.S. TAG to ISO TC 216, Footwear, and a request for approval as TAG Administrator. For further details, or to offer comments, contact Christi Sierk, ASTM manager of standards development (610.832.9728; [email protected]), with a copy to [email protected].
Both proposed TAGs intend to operate using the Model Operating Procedures for U.S. Technical Advisory Groups to ANSI for ISO Activities as contained in Annex A of the ANSI International Procedures.
The comment period for both applications ends June 20, 2011.