The ANSI Federation and standardization community are stepping up with guidance, resources, and initiatives to support public health, safety, and infrastructure during the COVID-19 outbreak. ANSI is monitoring, sharing, and promoting appropriate news to highlight these efforts. Suggestions for news items may be submitted to [email protected]. All submissions are published at ANSI's discretion.
GBCI Announces New Safety First Pilot Credits for SITES and TRUE Rating Systems in Response to Pandemic
The Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) announced this month the release of Safety First pilot credits for its SITES and TRUE rating systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. SITES is used by landscape architects, designers, engineers, planners, ecologists, architects, developers, policy-makers, and others to align land development and management with innovative sustainable design. TRUE is a whole systems approach aimed at changing how materials flow through society, resulting in no waste.
According to GBCI, the new credits enable projects committed to sustainable landscape development and those pursuing zero waste goals to maintain those commitments while adapting practices and procedures in light of the current public health crisis.
"With the global economy in distress, we must do everything we can to support sustainable solutions that contribute to a stronger economic recovery, while ensuring people feel safe and secure as we move toward re-opening our buildings and communities," said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, GBCI. "We know that healthy people in healthy places equals a healthy economy and GBCI is committed to ensuring that sustainability, health and wellness, and equity are grounded in our COVID-19 recovery strategies."
See more and find out more about the pilot credits in the GBCI announcement.
An IES Collaboration to Develop ANS for Measuring UV-C Sources Used for Disinfection
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) has partnered with the International Ultraviolet Association in an effort to assemble experts in the measurement of ultraviolet C-band emissions (UV-C) to develop American National Standards for the measurement and characterization of UV-C device performance.
IES reports that a "series" of such standards are envisioned, beginning with two slated for publication by the end of 2020. The first standard, Approved Method for Electrical and Ultraviolet Measurement of Discharge Sources, will detail laboratory procedures for the measurement and characterization of low-pressure mercury and other discharge sources. The second, Approved Method for Electrical and Ultraviolet Measurement of Solid-State Sources, will do the same for UV-LED component.
"The Illuminating Engineering Society is dedicated to developing standards and providing educational content on UV-C to help reduce the number of healthcare-associated infections and the transmission of pathogens, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus," said IES director of standards and research Brian Liebel. "Working with the International Ultraviolet Association, we feel confident that our organizations can effectively deliver much-needed measurement and testing standards to evaluate new products as they come to market."
As ANSI previously reported, to support COVID-19 efforts, IES's Photobiology Committee recently released a committee report in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to explain germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) disinfection. The report focuses on the potential uses of GUV in healthcare facilities, and provides safety precautions regarding residential use.
Read more about the standards development via the June 22 IES press announcement.
Bausch & Lomb Publishes Information on Wearing and Caring for Your Contact Lenses amid COVID-19
While the CDC reports no evidence that contact lens wearers are more at risk for acquiring COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers, Bausch & Lomb has released information on its COVID-19 information page on proper wear and care for contact lenses.
Among the tips, the company advises contact wearers to always wash hands thoroughly with soap, rinse completely and dry before inserting or removing contact lenses. Use solutions for contact lens cleaning and disinfection appropriately, and carefully follow the product's instructions for use.
The eye health products company also advises to rub and rinse contact lenses with contact lens disinfecting solution—never water or saliva—to clean them each time they are removed.
See more tips on proper contact lens wear on the company's website.
Experian Launches COVID-19 Resources and Credit Education
In an effort to help protect financial health during the sudden and unprecedented hardship caused by COVID-19, Experian has joined TransUnion and Equifax to offer all U.S. consumers free weekly credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com.
Experian has also launched a series of educational articles focused on credit card and debt relief, tips to protect credit during the pandemic, where to get the best emergency loans, among other features.
"As the Consumer's Credit Bureau, our commitment at Experian is to inform, guide and protect our consumers and customers during uncertain times. One way we're doing this is through this dedicated website, with links to multiple resources and materials to help our community learn about credit and important personal finance topics," noted Craig Boundy, Chief Executive Officer, North America, Experian.
Access the articles and see how Experian has contributed to local hospitals and first responders during the pandemic on the company's website.
Digimarc Launches Series for Grocery Retailers Tackling the COVID-19 Challenge
On its blog, Digimarc has launched a series of articles highlighting some of the challenges grocery retailers face with COVID-19 and how its Digimarc Platform can help mitigate obstacles related to efficiency, employee health, and other issues.
The features touch on grocery trends, including contactless payments, scan-and-go checkout, same-day curbside pickup and online delivery.
Read the series on the Digimarc website.
See more ANSI member efforts in the ANSI COVID-19 Resource Webpage Highlighting Standardization Community Response Efforts.