Standards Spotlight

The first hints of warmer weather have finally begun signaling the arrival of spring. For many of us, spring is a time of hope, joy, and rejuvenation. This winter has been especially tough, but spring has brought along with it the hope that the pandemic may end soon. Vaccine rollouts are steadily moving along, bringing hope that by summer, we might start to see some semblance of our pre-COVID lives again. Highlighted here are a just some of the standards that will help you clear out the winter and jump right into this new season.

Daylight Savings Time ended over a month ago, but there’s always that one clock we never seem to remember to change. Our smartphone and computer clocks automatically synchronize themselves to the correct time, but a lot of us still have clocks that have to be set manually. The international standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 19235:2015, Analogue Quartz Clocks - Timing Accuracy, specifies the basic parameters, requirements, and testing methods of timing accuracy for analogue quartz clocks. Although you may have clocks built into products like your stove or microwave, this standard does not cover clocks incorporated into products, clocks for particular applications such as clocks used in aircraft, ship, vehicle, and facilities, or clocks in which time is radio-synchronized. ANSI is the U.S. member body to ISO.

With the days starting to get longer, we can spend time outdoors enjoying the daylight. Going for a run outdoors can help you take advantage of the weather as well as help you shake off the winter blues. What a great chance to dust off those running shoes! ASTM International, a member and audited designator of ANSI, has published ASTM F1833-97(2017), Standard Test Method For Comparison Of Rearfoot Motion Control Properties Of Running Shoes. It covers the measurement of certain angular motions of the lower extremity during running, specifically, the frontal plane projection of the pronation and supination of the lower leg relative to the foot (“rearfoot motion”) and methods by which the effects of different running shoes on rearfoot motion may be compared.

Finally, everyone knows the best part about spring is the earth starting to come alive again. The trees are beginning to blossom again and the grass is turning greener, and this might inspire you to start planting your own garden of flowers or perhaps vegetables that will be ready to eat by the fall. Whether you’re just out enjoying what nature already has or sticking your green thumb in some dirt, plants have lots of needs in order to grow successfully, including good hydration and well fertilized soil. ISO 18644:2016, Fertilizers And Soil Conditioners - Controlled-Release Fertilizer - General Requirements, specifies the requirements for testing methods, sampling and preparation of test samples, marking and labelling, as well as package, transport, and storage of controlled-release fertilizer. This standard is applicable to controlled-release products having one or more primary fertilizer nutrient (nitrogen and/or phosphorous and/or potassium) in a controlled-release form. ISO Technical Committee (TC) 134, Fertilizers, soil conditioners and beneficial substances developed the standard. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) serves as the administrator of the ANSI-accredited U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO TC 134.

As springtime settles in, we hope that you find a way to spend some time outdoors in the sunny, warmer weather. We are definitely springing forward into a new and exciting season, and standards will help us get there.