Nearly 300 members of the standards and conformity assessment community gathered in Washington, DC, yesterday for the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day 2012. The exhibition, reception, and dinner marking the occasion focused on the theme Standards Increase Efficiency.
The event is co-chaired each year by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The International Code Council (ICC) served as this year's administrating organization.
"World Standards Day celebrations like ours take place all over the world, and the U.S. Celebration is made possible through the efforts of many organizations," said S. Joe Bhatia, ANSI president and CEO. "It is a partnership between those who develop standards and compliance systems, and those who use them. I am proud to be a part of a standards community that is diverse, dedicated, and motivated to find solutions and create a better tomorrow."
The evening's festivities included the presentation of the prestigious Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award to Ronald L. Lynn, director and building official with Nevada's Clark County Department of Development Services. Mr. Lynn was honored for his contributions to the development and use of standards and building codes intended to ensure safe built environments in Nevada, the U.S., and worldwide.
Celebrated annually each fall, World Standards Day pays tribute to the thousands of volunteers 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 global celebration is coordinated by the principal international standards organizations: the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
More information about the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day 2012 is available at www.wsd-us.org.