New UL App Provides Mobile Access to Global Regulations
UL, an ANSI member and audited designator, has announced the launch of a mobile application that provides access to global regulatory updates and industry news relevant to new standards and changing regulations for consumer products.
UL Regulations Alert will include access to global news on topics including toys and children's products, chemicals, dietary supplements, OTC and pharmaceuticals, and more. The app is designed to assist brands, retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers in achieving compliance with standards and regulation.
"Almost daily, new and revised regulations are introduced at the international, federal and regional levels," said Dr. Natale Consonni, vice president and general manager for UL Consumer Products. "The UL Regulations Alert mobile application pushes complex updates well ahead of their enforcement date, providing clients with sufficient time to act, to help get products to market in compliance, and on time."
Read more and find out where to download the application in the UL news item.
NFPA Urges Consumers to Remove Christmas Trees and Lights in a Timely Manner
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an ANSI member and audited designator, has published a news item recommending that consumers remove Christmas trees soon, now that the holiday season is over.
All Christmas trees are flammable, and older trees tend to be more dried out and can be engulfed by flames more quickly. The association states that nearly 40% of home fires caused by Christmas trees occur in January. Trees should be disposed of through a local community recycling program, and not left in outside or put in the garage.
NFPA also offers tips for safely removing and storing Christmas lights in preparation for next year's holiday season. These tips include inspecting each light string for damage and throwing out any sets that have loose connections, broken sockets, or cracked or bare wires.
To learn more about safely disposing of a Christmas tree and removing holiday lights, see the NFPA news item.
ACC Uncovers the Chemistry Behind Star Wars
To celebrate the release of the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens, ANSI member and accredited standards developer the American Chemistry Council (ACC) has published a blog post detailing the ways that chemistry has led to cutting edge advancements similar to the fantastical technology in the Star Wars films.
In Star Wars, Stormtroopers are cloaked in armor that protects them from deserts, thick forests, icy wastelands, and other extreme environments. Outside of the movie world, scientists have developed life-protecting equipment out of polycarbonate plastic to shield police, fire, and other safety personnel from the elements.
For more examples highlighting the chemistry behind Star Wars, see the ACC blog post.
AAFS Approved as ANSI Accredited Standards Developer
ANSI's Executive Standards Council (ExSC) has approved ANSI organizational member the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) as an ANSI accredited standards developer under its proposed operating procedures for documenting consensus on AAFS-sponsored American National Standards, effective December 22, 2015. For additional information, please contact Anne Warren, AAFS executive director (719.636.1100; [email protected]).
North American Crossbow Federation (NACF) Applies for ANSI Accredited Standards Developer Status
The North American Crossbow Federation (NACF), a new ANSI organizational member in 2015, has submitted an application for accreditation as an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer (SDO) and proposed operating procedures for documenting NACF-sponsored ANS. CPLSO's proposed scope of standards activity is test procedures to evaluate the safety and performance of crossbows.
For questions or comments, contact Merle Shepard, project manager at NACF (313.268.1727; [email protected]). Please submit any comments to NACF by January 25, 2016, with a copy to [email protected]. You may view or download a copy of NACF's proposed operating procedures from ANSI Online during the public review period at www.ansi.org/accredPR.