September 2008 HEADLINES... This month’s top stories:New Law Requires ASTM Toy Safety StandardPresident Bush has approved a new law requiring that toys sold in the United States be tested to ASTM F963, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety. The safety specification will be a mandatory requirement for toys while the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) studies the standard's effectiveness and issues final consumer guidelines for toy safety hazards, including magnets. F963 incorporates relevant safety measures already required under federal law and includes additional guidelines and test methods to prevent injuries from choking, sharp edges and other potential hazards. [Full story] Health Canada Cites ASTM Bunk Bed StandardAn ASTM International standard for bunk beds is prominently cited in a recently released advisory from Health Canada, the federal department that is responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. The standard, ASTM F1427, Consumer Safety Specification for Bunk Beds, is used by manufacturers, importers and distributors, and establishes minimum requirements for the design and performance of bunk beds and contains requirements for labeling and instructional material. [Full story] Organizational Meeting for New Sustainability CommitteeASTM International has announced the planned formation of a new technical committee on Sustainability. Numerous environmental, social and economic challenges have brought issues of sustainability to the forefront in recent years. The committee will bring diverse stakeholders together to create the standards that will further promote and integrate sustainable development across multiple industry sectors. ASTM welcomes the participation of all interested stakeholders in this new activity. Join us for the committee's organizational meeting on Oct. 1 at the ASTM October committee week in Miami, FL. [Full story] World Standards DayThe U.S. celebration of World Standards Day 2008 will take place Oct. 23 in Washington, D.C. Celebrated annually, 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. This year's theme, "Intelligent and Sustainable Buildings," will spotlight the critical role of standards and conformity assessment programs in ensuring safety requirements, facilitating coordination and incorporating new technologies in the design and construction of intelligent and sustainable buildings. The deadline for registration is Oct. 3. For more information, click here. COMMITTEE NEWS... The latest from ASTM's technical committees:Forestland Site AssessmentA revision to ASTM E2447 is an important step toward making the standard compliant with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's All Appropriate Inquiries Rule. [Full story] Martial ArtsProviding for the safety of children taking martial arts classes is the purpose of new Subcommittee F08.29. [Full story] Hand Hygiene AgentsThe last in a series of three ASTM standards that address the activity of hand hygiene agents against microbes that can be transmitted via contaminated hands is now available. [Full story] Package Delivery SystemsCommittee D10 hopes to create a more realistic simulation for the small parcel shipping and handling environment with a new test method. [Full story] Corrosion Resistant SteelProviding customer reassurance that high performance corrosion resistant steel will meet a given set of criteria is the purpose of a new specification from Committee A01. [Full story] Cleanroom DisinfectantsCommittee E35's new guide responds to a recent emphasis by regulatory agencies that firms manufacturing drug products demonstrate the efficacy of disinfectants used in controlled environments. [Full story] Airsoft GunsThe increasing popularity of low energy air, or airsoft, guns has led to the creation of a new subcommittee in Committee F08. [Full story] Consumer Research ScalesA new Committee E18 standard will provide sensory professionals with guidelines for developing, selecting and using scales in the context of sensory experiments and consumer research. [Full story] Tires-to-Asphalt RecyclingA growing need to recycle millions of tires discarded annually is the impetus for the continued development of a specification from Committee D04. [Full story] Antimicrobial Applications of CopperA new Committee B05 task group has been formed following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's announcement of its registration of copper alloys as antimicrobial materials with specific health claims. [Full story] Macro Thermogravimetric AnalysisLabs that test coal and coke for moisture, volatile matter and ash will benefit from a test method being developed by Committee D05. [Full story] Limestone and Flue Gas DesulfurizationA new standard from Committee C07 will provide a method for a comparative evaluation of limestone sources available for use in flue gas desulfurization (FGD) applications. [Full story] Nonmetallic Flat GasketsA new practice from Committee F03 provides a means of comparing nonmetallic flat gasket materials in saturated steam service under controlled conditions. [Full story] Packaging MaterialsTesting the oxygen permeation of packaging is the focus of a new test method from Committee F02. [Full story] Livestock Evaluation MachineryCommittee F10's new standard provides an internationally recognized set of guidelines for companies that test the accuracy of livestock, meat and poultry evaluation devices or systems. [Full story] Magnesium FerrosiliconInterested parties are invited to join in the development of a new E01 standard that will enable laboratories to perform determinations of calcium and magnesium without having to do ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid titrations. [Full story] Pipes for Gas Distribution SystemsCommittee F17's new practice will give the natural gas industry an important tool and defined process in continuing research and development efforts that will lead to the streamlined introduction of innovative products. [Full story] DID YOU KNOW?...Standards for Swimming Pool SafetyGetting the Right FitSeptember often means hitting the stores for new back-to-school and fall clothing and apparel. A number of garments will be tried on and purchased as buyers search for the most updated and comfortable styles. But even though clothing trends change often, the importance of a good fit and quality fabric never go out of style, which is where ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles comes in. From infants and children to juniors and adults and even maternity, designers and retailers look to Committee D13 for standards covering sizing and body measurement as well as fabrics, yarns, threads, labeling and more. Committee D13 has developed standards for a wide variety of apparel from suits, ties, dresses, blouses and coats to denim, swimwear, pajamas, t-shirts and scarves. Next time you are shopping for new clothing, remember the role ASTM standards play in helping you get that “perfect fit.” PUBLICATIONS... New publications from ASTM now available:ASTM Online Dictionary of Engineering Science and TechnologyASTM Online Lab, Equipment and Consulting DirectoriesASTM International Standards on Color and Appearance MeasurementASTM Standards Related to Corrosion Testing of Metals: 3rd EditionASTM Standards for Environmental Risk Management
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