Standardization News

A framework for action and coordination in the field of energy efficiency has been published and is available for free. The framework, Standardization Roadmap: Energy Efficiency in the Built Environment, identifies areas where standards, codes and conformity assessment programs could contribute to energy savings. Five focus areas in the plan include building energy and water assessment, and performance standards; system integration and communications; building energy rating, labeling and simulation; evaluation, measurement and verification; and workforce credentialing. A supplementary resource listing relevant standards, codes, guidelines and conformity assessment programs has also been started; recommendations for additions can be made. The roadmap was developed by the Energy Efficiency Standardization Coordination Collaborative of the American National Standards Institute.

Supply Chain Program Launched

A supply chain optimization program to help U.S. manufacturers become more competitive has been added to the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The program is helping small and mid-sized manufacturers with critical areas of the supply chain at all levels; it is establishing partnerships between MEP's subject matter experts and participating manufacturers to address barriers to effective supply chains.

IP Alliance Organized

The Intellectual Property Alliance, or IP Alliance, has been organized to provide a platform where standards developing organizations, corporations and resellers can collaborate to help prevent document copyright infringement. The alliance promotes videos and educational materials to better inform standards users how they could be putting their companies at risk.

Global Aviation Cooperation Symposium Being Held

A global aviation cooperation symposium, Building Cooperation for the Future of Civil Aviation: Innovation, Growth and Technical Cooperation, will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 3 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The International Civil Aviation Organization is sponsoring the program to provide governments, airport operators, air navigation service providers and other industry stakeholders with an in-depth knowledge of ICAO guidance through its Technical Cooperation Program.

RCI Program to Highlight Building Envelope Technology

The Symposium on Building Envelope Technology will be held Oct. 20-21 in Tampa, Florida. The two-day program, sponsored by RCI Inc., will include 12 educational sessions presented by building envelope designers. The speakers will offer insights regarding the specification of exterior envelopes; the focus will mainly be repair and/or sustainable design methods for strengthening and improving existing structures.

Proposals Sought for 2015 Concrete Sustainability Conference

Presentation proposals for the 2015 International Concrete Sustainability Conference, to be held May 11-13, are sought by the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. Proposals on the following topics are of particular interest: resilience, life cycle assessment, low impact development, material science and corporate responsibility. Proposals are due Nov. 14.