Last Updated: August, 2008

• MIT Researchers Use Plant Energy Storage System for Solar Storage Innovation
• "Go Paper Less" - Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
• F1 Enviro Tech for Production Cars?
• ISO Standard on Beach Safety Flags and Water Safety Signs for an Accident-Free Summer

Other News...

• OSHA Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Feeds
• OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP)
• OSHA Publishes Final Rule on employer payment of PPE and Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda
• New ISO standards to improve quality of water services to consumers
• ISO standards highlighted at Bali conference as essential to voluntary and regulatory efforts to fight climate change
• New edition of ISO's quality management specification for international oil and gas industries
• ISO, WRI, and WBCSD announce cooperation on greenhouse gas accounting and verification
• ISO publishes international benchmark for incident preparedness and operational continuity management
• Latest issue of The ISO Survey shows 16% rise in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications
• Record participation for 5th meeting of ISO Working Group on Social Responsibility
• New ISO standard encourages sustainability in building construction
• International Standards are key for promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources
• NORA - National Occupational Research Agenda Draft Update
• NSC - The National Safety Council Announces Results of Annual Consumer Perception Survey
• OSHA Request for Information on new Emergency Response Standard
• Justices: EPA can control car emissions
• Future ISO 26000 standard on social responsibility reaches positive turning point
• ISO and UN Global Compact Reinforce Cooperation on Social Responsibility Standard
• Lean Today, Here Tomorrow -  Simple Tools and Common Sense Can Keep You in Business
• A New Business Tool to Help Organizations Communicate Their Environmental Performance
• 12 Ways to Save Water
• ISO Standard Will Help Purchasers by Clarifying Environmental Labels
• How to Recycle Practically Anything - Old Myths are Shattering and New Options Come Online
• UN's Climate Change Chief Praises New ISO 14064 Standards
• New ISO 14064 Standards Provide Tools for Assessing and Supporting Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Emissions Trading
• EU Low Voltage Directive (LVD) - Updated Standards Lists
• Don't let your company go to waste: Find an environmentally safe and cost effective method of disposal
• ISO 14064 standard on greenhouse gases in wings of UN's Climate Change Conference
• New Edition of Basic Standard for Electromedical Equipment
• ISO publishes WorldSID: the world's smartest crash test dummy to improve vehicle design and increase passenger safety
• ISO launches work on nanotechnology standards
• RoHS Amendment 2005/747/EC Released: Updated Seven Exemptions
• ISO/EC 17025:2005 Cuts Through The Confusion
• Pharmaceutical:  Tuning in to New Solvents
• ISO 9000:2005 – the ‘A to Z’ of quality management systems updated
• ISO 14001 Survey of Small and Medium Enterprises Results
• Responsible Care 14001: Integrating Performance Improvement With Business Value
• Materials Composition Standard Gets Workover
• Automotive Wiring Gets An Environmental Friendly Coating
• ISO 14001:2004 Revision
• The WEEE MAN - Raising Awareness and Changing Behavior
• ISO Primed for Development of International Standard on Social Responsibility
• New IEC TC 111: Environmental Standardization for Electrical and Electronic Products & Systems
• IAF Releases the Transition Plan for Accredited EMS Certification from ISO 14001:1996 to ISO 14001:2004
• ISO Prepares to Launch the Development of a Standard on Social Responsibility
• ISO Publishes improved versions of ISO 14000 environmental management system standards

MIT Researchers Use Plant Energy Storage System For Solar Storage Innovation

In what Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers say is a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, the researchers report they have discovered a way to store energy for use when the sun doesn't shine, thereby overcoming a major barrier to large-scale solar power.

For more information:  http://www.semiconductor.net/article/CA6583673.html?q=Environment

"Go Paper Less" - Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

…the FDA’s compliance imperatives and the principles of calibration described in the Good Practice Guide: Calibration Management (International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, 2001) demand that pharmaceutical manufacturers establish robust calibration systems. Historically these systems have been of varying complexity and have included significant “hard copy” document content.

For more information:  http://www.qualitydigest.com/june08/articles/02_article.shtml

F1 Enviro Tech for Production Cars?

…with the introduction of KERS-kinetic energy recovery systems-into Formula One next year, the premier category of the sport is making a statement that it acknowledges the concerns about the environment.

For more information:  http://www.autofieldguide.com/columns/0808euro.html

ISO Standard on Beach Safety Flags and Water Safety Signs for an Accident-Free Summer

ISO 20712-1:2008, Water safety signs and beach safety flags – Specifications for water safety signs used in workplaces and public areas, is intended for use by owners and operators of aquatic environments and by manufacturers of signs and equipment. It categorizes water safety signs according to their function:

• means of escape and emergency equipment signs

• mandatory action signs

• prohibition signs

• warning signs.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1147

OSHA Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Feeds

If you feel you are constantly checking the OSHA website for topics that affect your business, or would simply like to hear about specific regulatory changes without searching for them yourself, you may be interested in OSHA’s new use of the Really Simply Syndication (RSS) system. Basically RSS will regularly scan the OSHA website (or others) for changes and send a linked headline to you each time new information becomes available. All you need to do to get started is download and RSS reader (some browsers may already have readers installed) and choose a feed, such as the OSHA website’s “OSHA News Releases Feed.”  The benefits of using RSS include not having to constantly search/scan websites for new content as well as the ability to subscribe to multiple feeds from multiple organizations!  

If you would like to learn more about OSHA’s implementation of RSS feeds just visit the OSHA website at http://www.osha.gov and click on the “RSS Feeds” link in the upper left corner of the web page.

OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP)

Recently there have been a number of occupational incidents involving the hazards of combustible dust. This has caused the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to reissue its Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP).

The term “combustible dust” refers to fine dusts such as metals, wood dust, carbon dusts (coal, etc), plastic dust, bio-solids, and many others that can very easily form highly ignitable mixtures in air, which if exposed to an ignition source, can cause fires, explosions, and ultimately employee injuries and property damage. With seemingly harmless and easily overlooked presence, it is all too easy for an excess of combustible dust build up to be the cause of occupational incidents.

OSHA’s NEP will focus on facility inspections of specific industry groups including Agriculture, Food Products, Chemicals, Textiles, Forest and Furniture Products, Metal Processing, Tire and Rubber Manufacturing, Paper Products, Wastewater Treatment, Recycling Operations, and Coal dust and coal handling. Although the focus of OSHA’s NEP will be specific, this is not an issue that is confined to one industry. With many materials being capable of ignition in fine particulate form, it is very important to maintain good awareness about the hazards of combustible dust and take precautions to protect workers. At a minimum, this should start with good housekeeping, proper ventilation, and periodic inspections. To learn more about combustible dust hazards or OSHA’s national emphasis program visit the OSHA website at http://www.osha.gov.

OSHA Publishes Final Rule on employer payment of PPE and Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda

OSHA recently published a final rule in the federal register changing employer provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements. The final rule requires that PPE be provided at no cost to employees whenever required in the workplace. There are a few very specific exceptions to this rule which include protective equipment like safety-toe shoes and prescription safety glasses, because these items are considered to be very personal in nature. The rule becomes effective on February 13, 2008 and must be implemented by May 15, 2008.

OSHA also published their Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda in the federal register this past month. The agenda is a good way to keep track of upcoming occupational safety and health regulatory changes and includes descriptions and the status of proposed regulations in four stages; Pre-rule, Proposed rule, Final Rule, and Completed Actions. Some of the topics on the current agenda include: Occupational Exposure to Beryllium, Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica, Electric Power Transmission and Distribution; Electrical Protective Equipment, etc.

For more information on the Semi-Annual Regulatory agenda and upcoming regulatory changes visit the OSHA website at http://www.osha.gov.

New ISO standards to improve quality of water services to consumers

Recent ISO standards have been put in place to manage limited water resources so as to allow for safe drinking water for the world’s population. Three new standards came into effect and provide guidelines for service activities relating to wastewater sewerage systems and water supply systems. These standards were put in place in order to help achieve a level of quality of water that promotes sustainable development.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1100

ISO standards highlighted at Bali conference as essential to voluntary and regulatory efforts to fight climate change

At this year’s United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting, the issue of climate change was discussed with respect to the ISO process. The ISO process has proved to be an effective tool for developing and maintaining international consensus amongst countries. It has become clear that the need to act for the sake of future generations has never been more urgent, and ISO may be the tool to unite countries in slowing the effects of climate change.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1099

New edition of ISO's quality management specification for international oil and gas industries

ISO recently released an updated version of the specification ISO/TS 29001, which ensures secure and dependable equipment and serves throughout the international gas and oil industries by providing a unique document with requirements for quality management. ISO/TS 29001:2007 has been expanded, with 23 modifications made to the standard. It has been developed to better meet the needs of the oil and gas industry, as well as government and regulatory agencies, as the entity for qualification of the quality management systems of service suppliers and equipment manufacturers.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1098

ISO, WRI, and WBCSD announce cooperation on greenhouse gas accounting and verification

Three organizations have recently announced that they will collaborate to promote their greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and reporting standards. ISO (International Organization for Standardization), WRI (World Resources Institute) and WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development) have signed a memorandum to mutually promote the ISO 14064 standards, as well as the WRI and WBCSD GHG Protocol standards. This collaboration is in response to concerns that the two standards may not be consistent, and the three organizations seek to prove that they can be used effectively and in a complementary manner.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1093

ISO publishes international benchmark for incident preparedness and operational continuity management

ISO technical committee Societal Security has released the first internationally recognized benchmark document which addresses incident preparedness and continuity management. ISO/PAS 22399:2007, Societal Security – Guideline for incident preparedness and operational continuity management recognizes that natural disasters, technology-related accidents, acts of terror and environmental incidents have demonstrated that neither public nor private sectors are invulnerable from catastrophe.  This has led to an international awareness that organizations must know how to prepare for and respond to crises.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1094

Latest issue of The ISO Survey shows 16% rise in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications

The ISO Survey – 2006 found that certification to both ISO 9001 and to ISO 14001 increased in 2006 by 16%. Certification to more recent ISO management system standards for both the medical device sector and the automotive sector increased by over 60%. These findings illustrate the extent to which ISO’s management system standards are becoming integrated within the global economy in which they function.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1089

Record participation for 5th meeting of ISO Working Group on Social Responsibility

The fifth plenary meeting of the ISO Working Group on Social Responsibility was attended by 400 experts representing the six participating stakeholder groups: : industry; government; labor; consumers; nongovernmental organizations; and service, support, research and others. The meeting was in regard to the future ISO 26000 standard, which gives guidance on social responsibility. ISO 26000 is intended for use by all organizations, and will contain guidance, not requirements. It will not be used as a certification standard and is not a management system.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1090

New ISO standard encourages sustainability in building construction

“ISO 21930:2007, Sustainability in building construction – Environmental declaration of building products", is the new ISO standard which will prove to be a very helpful tool for the construction sector. The building construction industry is recognized as a major employer, but also as a sector that is accountable for generating a great quantity of waste and pollution. The standard is hoped to cause a major improvement in lowering waste in the building industry.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1087

International Standards are key for promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources

The WEC (World Energy Council) released an overview of the chief role that International Standards play in supporting the expansion and promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. International Standards of this type were recognized as beneficial in that they avoid unnecessary technical barriers to trade, create global markets for energy efficient technologies, and provide common metrics for defining and measuring energy performance.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1088

NORA - National Occupational Research Agenda Draft Update

NORA is a sector based research agenda that considers high priority Safety and Health research topics for improvement in the following eight sectors:

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

• Construction

• Healthcare and Social Assistance

• Manufacturing

• Mining

• Services

• Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities

• Wholesale and Retail Trade

A draft strategic plan is being developed for each sector and is expected to be available next spring. To learn more and view some of the topics of the strategic plans visit NORA at the CDC website here: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/

NSC - The National Safety Council Announces Results of Annual Consumer Perception Survey

The NSC survey incorporated input from 1,614 randomly selected adults and concluded that nearly 1 in 3 Americans believe nothing can be done to prevent accidental injuries. This indicates a large paradigm shift from these Americans believing they have no control over their personal safety and health may be needed in order to continue to improve injury and illness rates. The poll did show most Americans are concerned about accidental injuries, 46% of those interviewed ranked them as the number 1 risk to their health and well being and the majority also showed that they do have some faith in their employer’s occupational safety and health programs. To read more about the survey visit the National Safety Council website here: http://www.nsc.org/news/pessimist.htm.

OSHA Request for Information on new Emergency Response Standard

OSHA has recently indicated they are aware that current emergency response regulations do not reflect the most up-to-date practices and improvements in this area of occupational safety and health. In light of this, they have published a Request for Information (RFI) in the public register to give the public and those more familiar with current ER practices and recent improvements a chance to give their thoughts on what should be changed or added (if anything) to the current emergency response OSHA standards. The RFI is open for comment until December 10, 2007. For more information and submission of comments,  visit the Federal Register.

Justices: EPA can control car emissions

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court said the Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from cars. Greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the landmark environmental law, Justice John Paul Stevens said in his majority opinion.

Click here for more information

Future ISO 26000 standard on social responsibility reaches positive turning point

The development of the future ISO 26000 standard giving guidance on social responsibility has reached a positive "turning point" in terms of consensus and trust among the broad base of participating stakeholders.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1049

ISO and UN Global Compact Reinforce Cooperation on Social Responsibility Standard

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and the United Nations Global Compact Office (UNGCO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance their cooperation on the development of the future ISO 26000 standard giving guidance on social responsibility (SR).

For more information:  http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1039

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 Lean Today, Here Tomorrow -  Simple Tools and Common Sense Can Keep You in Business

This article presents a roadmap to help any manager make an informed decision about where to invest precious resources. Like any good manager, you must have a plan--the simpler the better. To help you decide on the best process improvement system for your company, ask the following four questions about your prospective choice. If all of them can be answered in the affirmative, you have a winner.

For more information:  http://www.qualitydigest.com/currentmag/articles/04_article.shtml

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 A New Business Tool to Help Organizations Communicate Their Environmental Performance

A new standard in the ISO 14000 series of standards is expected to help users increase business support and shareholder confidence and, at the same time, promote their environmental credentials, achievements and performance.  The new ISO 14063:2006, Environmental management – Environmental communication – Guidelines and examples, will assist organizations to communicate their views and present and explain the environmental implications of their activities, products and services….  It advises them to listen to interested parties and incorporate their views and requests.

For more information:  http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1023

 ISO Standard Will Help Purchasers by Clarifying Environmental Labels

In order to address this problem, ISO has published ISO 14025:2006, Environmental labels and declarations – Type III environmental declarations – Principles and procedures, which will benefit business to business communication, by enabling purchasers to make comparisons between products fulfilling the same function, and encourage improvement of environmental performance.

For more information:  http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1020

 How to Recycle Practically Anything - Old Myths Are Shattering and New Options Come Online

Don’t throw away those exercise videos and ubiquitous AOL CDs. Jim Williams wants you to mail old videotapes and CDs to him, so that more than 40 disabled staffers at his ACT Recycling in Columbia, Missouri can recycle them. And, oh, don’t toss out those used Fed-Ex envelopes or broken smoke detectors; their manufacturers take them back for recycling

For more information: http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3172

 UN's Climate Change Chief Praises New ISO 14064 Standards

 ISO is making an important contribution to climate protection," says Richard Kinley, Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in an exclusive interview in the June issue of ISO Focus (http://www.iso.org/isofocus), the magazine of the International Organization for Standardization. 

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1013

 New ISO 14064 Standards Provide Tools for Assessing and Supporting Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Emissions Trading

The ISO 14064 standards for greenhouse gas accounting and verification published on 1 March 2006 by ISO provide government and industry with an integrated set of tools for programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as for emissions trading.

For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref994

 EU Low Voltage Directive (LVD) - Updated Standards List

The Commission of the European Union (EU) has published an updated list of standards that can be applied to demonstrate conformity with the essential requirements of the EU’s Low Voltage Directive.

For More Information: Directive 73-23-EEC Amendment 2005-C 284-01.pdf

 Don't let your company go to waste: Find an environmentally safe and cost effective method of disposal

Often businesses don't think twice about throwing away used fluorescent lamps (light bulbs) and other office and facility waste that they have accumulated, but they should.  Fluorescent lamps, batteries. computers, PCB containing ballasts and mercury containing devices are hazardous waste regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ) under the Universal Waste Rule (UWR).  The risks of improperly disposing of universal waste are not just environmental – they’re financial.

For more information:: http://www.nlrlamp.com/pdfs/waste.pdf

 ISO 14064 standard on greenhouse gases in wings of UN's Climate Change Conference

 New Edition of Basic Standard for Electromedical Equipment

 ISO publishes WorldSID: the world's smartest crash test dummy to improve vehicle design and increase passenger safety

 ISO launches work on nanotechnology standards

 RoHS Amendment 2005/747/EC Released: Updated Seven Exemptions

 ISO/EC 17025:2005 Cuts Through The Confusion

 Pharmaceutical:  Tuning in to New Solvents

 ISO 9000:2005 – the ‘A to Z’ of quality management systems updated

 ISO 14001 Survey of Small and Medium Enterprises Results

 Responsible Care 14001: Integrating Performance Improvement With Business Value

 Materials Composition Standard Gets Workover

 Automotive Wiring Gets an Environmentally Friendly Coating

 ISO 14001:2004 Revision

Knowing the changes will help keep your organization ahead of the environmental curve. The General perspective of the changes:  The dual goals of clarification and alignment required revisions and additions to the existing formal definitions. Sixteen of the resultant 20 definitions are new or changed.
For more information: http://www.qualitydigest.com/mar05/articles/04_article.shtml

 The WEEE MAN - Raising Awareness and Changing Behaviors

The WEEE man project's main objectives are to transform public perception of waste from "out of sight, out of mind" to visible; bring thought provoking and behavior changing ; to encourage the public, retailers and manufacturers to think carefully about waste reduction; to raise the profile of the recycling industry; to educate people on ethical consumer choice and sustainable resource management; and to raise support among designers and manufacturers for environmentally friendly designs?.
For more information: http://www.weeeman.org

 ISO Primed for Development of International Standard on Social Responsibility

 NEW IEC TC 111: Environmental Standardization for Electrical and Electronic Products and Systems

Technical Committee of the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) has been formed - IEC TC 111: Environmental Standardization for electrical and electronic products and systems - and has released the first two proposals for new work programs:

• Procedures for the Determination of Levels of Regulated Substances in Electrotechnical Products
• Environmental Conscious Design for Electrical and Electronic Products and Systems.

Click Here for more information.

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 IAF Releases the Transition Plan for Accredited EMS Certification from ISO 14001:1996 to ISO 14001:2004

The IAF Transition Plan for Accredited EMS Certification from ISO 14001:1996 to ISO 14001:2004, has been published as IAF GD 4:2004.
For more information, visit:  www.iaf.nu

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 ISO Prepares to Launch the Development of a Standard on Social Responsibility

The first meeting of the ISO group that is to develop an International Standard giving guidelines on social responsibility has been scheduled for 7-11 March 2005 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. ISO expects that developing the standard will take three years, with publication in early 2008.  ISO launched a new web site at www.iso.org/sr for supporting international social responsibility.
For more information: http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref947

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 ISO Publishes improved versions of ISO 14000 Environmental Management System Standards

ISO published a revised and improved version of it's ISO 14001 and ISO 14004 standards on November 15, 2004.  ISO expects the standards to put the benefits of implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) within the reach of an even greater number and variety of organizations worldwide.  Click here for more information.

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