The agenda for World Standards Week, to be celebrated in the United States in Washington, D.C., has been set. On Oct. 10, the American National Standards Institute will host “Priority 2001: Global Standards—Global Trade,” its “new and improved” annual conference focusing on the impact of the standardization and conformity assessment community on international commerce and the regulation of business throughout the world. Later that evening, the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day will be held at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial (The Women’s Memorial). On Oct. 11, ANSI will host “An Open Forum on XML and the Standardization Community.” Participants will learn how XML (EXtensible Markup Language) technologies can be applied to improve the process by which voluntary standards are developed, disseminated, implemented, used and enhanced over time. Following the forum will be a short seminar on Implementation of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA). For a complete schedule of events, venue information, details regarding fees and event sponsorships, or to register, visit the World Standards Week 2001 pages on ANSI Online or contact ANSI’s membership services staff, ANSI Headquarters, New York, N.Y. (phone: 212/642-4900).

Give the Gift of Time

The National Engineers Week Committee needs volunteer engineers from every field to give some of their time this fall and winter to introduce local young people at middle schools across the nation to a career in engineering through the National Engineers Week Future City Competition. Since its founding in 1992, this educational program has made engineering come alive for tens of thousands of students. For more information on becoming a volunteer mentor, contact Carol Rieg, National Director (phone: 301/977-6582). Interested engineers will be put in touch with their area’s regional coordinator.

Wanted: Measurements with Good References

In nearly all types of activities—be they related to manufacturing, finance, health, regulatory affairs or even sports—people and organizations are becoming sticklers for measurement accuracy. But accuracy must be judged on the basis of a measurement pedigree—a documented line of descent from accepted standards. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has created an on-line resource devoted to matters pertaining to the integrally related topic of measurement traceability—whether the result of a specific measurement can be related to accepted international or national standards through an unbroken chain of comparisons. At the new Web site, visitors can read the NIST policy on traceability. They also can review, among other resources, a glossary of terms, answers to an extensive set of frequently asked questions on traceability, examples of relevant NIST measurement programs, and a traceability checklist for users of calibration services. Contact Mary Saunders, NIST Global Standards Program, Gaithersburg, Md. (phone: 301/975-2396).

Voting Equipment Standard

The House Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards has become the first Congressional panel to take steps toward correcting the problems that plagued the 2000 presidential election. H.R. 2275, introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and Ranking Member James Barcia (D-MI), passed by voice vote in late June after the subcommittee adopted a bipartisan managers’ amendment. Citing examples of a variety of malfunctions in Florida and other states, Congressional testimony noted that inadequate technical standards for voting equipment were a problem during the most recent presidential election. Therefore, the bill establishes a commission to develop voluntary, performance-based standards—and to accredit independent, third-party testing and certification bodies—to ensure the usability, accuracy, integrity and security of voting products. The legislation calls for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to lead the commission.

A Web Site You Can Stick With

The Adhesive and Sealant Council has upgraded its Web site to provide improved services to the general public and to ASC members. New or improved features include: online registration for events, a career center with secure resume and job postings, surplus exchange forum, industry market reports, technical assistance, and Web-based training.

Clarifying MoU

In an effort to carry out the joint objectives of promoting and enhancing the cause of standardization, ANSI has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Standards Engineering Society (SES), a membership organization devoted to promoting standards and standardization. The new MoU supercedes a previous one signed in 1989 between the two groups, and incorporates many of the ideals presented in the National Standards Strategy (NSS), for example Section IV of the NSS, Our Strategic Vision, wherein ANSI is committed to cooperating with all stakeholders in the standards community to produce a coherent, unified message and well-coordinated positions internationally that avoid duplication and overlap. In keeping with this approach, the ANSI-SES MoU seeks to encourage “mutual recognition and support of each other’s activities to promote standardization,” with the intention of “seeking out and implementing activities that may be mutually advantageous to both organizations” while making every effort to “avoid duplication, conflict and overlap in services and functions.”

Direction on EU Directives

Three newly issued National Institute of Standards and Technology guides to European Union directives on machinery, low-voltage equipment, and electromagnetic compatibility can help U.S. manufacturers carry out the steps necessary to demonstrate compliance with the EU-wide requirements and gain unfettered access to the 18-nation market. The easy-to-use introductory references are designed to acquaint businesses and government officials with the directives’ essential requirements and their relationship to other EU product safety laws. Go to the NIST conformity assessment web site, or contact Maureen Breitenberg, NIST, 100 Bureau Dr., Stop 2100, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899-2100.

Nomination Time for National Medal of Technology

Since 1985, the President of the United States has been bestowing the National Medal of Technology to America’s leading innovators in recognition of those who have made lasting contributions to enhancing America’s competitiveness and standard of living. Background information, as well as information about submitting nominations for either individual or team, company or organization candidates, is available online. //

Copyright 2001, ASTM