Two new revisions for ISO standards on Environmental management — Life cycle assessment, ISO/TR 14047 and ISO/TR 14049

ISO has just released two new standards for the application of ISO 14044.  They are  ISO/TR 14047:2012, “Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Illustrative examples on how to apply ISO 14044 to impact assessment situations,” and ISO/TR 14049:2012, “Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Illustrative examples on how to apply ISO 14044 to goal and scope definition and inventory analysis.”  These new revisions are available from Document Center Inc. now in both paper and pdf format.

The heightened awareness of the importance of environmental protection has focused attention on the possible environmental significance of a product system. One of the techniques being developed to determine this type of impact is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

The life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) is the third phase of life cycle assessment and its purpose is to assess a product system’s life cycle inventory (LCI) analysis results to better understand their environmental significance.

The LCIA models selected environmental issues called impact categories. Through the use of category indicators which help condense and explain the LCI results, LCIA provides a picture of the aggregate emissions or of resource use to reflect their potential environment impacts.

These two Technical Report provide examples to support ISO 14044:2006.  They use several examples on key areas of ISO 14044 in order to enhance the understanding of the requirements of the standard.

ISO/TR 14047 provides examples to illustrate current practice of life cycle impact assessment according to ISO 14044:2006.  The examples reflect the key elements of the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) phase of the LCA. The examples presented in ISO/TR 14047:2012 are not exclusive and other examples exist to illustrate the methodological issues described.

ISO/TR 14049 on the other hand has examples covering practices in carrying out a life cycle inventory analysis (LCI). These examples are only a sample of the possible cases satisfying the provisions of ISO 14044.  They reflect only portions of a complete LCI study.

ISO standards are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or consider contacting us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Our expert staff can assist you with not only your document purchases, but also with questions you may have about standards and standards issues.  We also provide audit, reporting and monitoring services.

New IEEE 1409, IEEE Guide for Application of Power Electronics for Power Quality Improvement on Distribution Systems Rated 1 kV Through 38 kV

IEEE has just released the IEEE 1409 standard, “IEEE Guide for Application of Power Electronics for Power Quality Improvement on Distribution Systems Rated 1 kV Through 38 kV,” and it is available now from Document Center Inc.  The new document  introduces and defines the emerging technology of custom power.

Guidelines and performance expectations are provided for the application of power electronic-based equipment on distribution systems of power providers to improve power quality.

This technology involves devices and circuit configurations of power electronic equipment used in utility power distribution systems rated 1 kV through 38 kV for the purposes of mitigating problems associated with power quality.

IEEE 1409 (IEEE 1409-pdf) also includes definitions, general need guidelines, performance objectives, electrical environments, input/output criteria, performance measurements, case studies, bibliography, and engineering trade-offs.

It is a resource to electric utility providers as they enter into this new competitive marketplace. It provides detailed information about custom power devices as options to solve power quality problems.

All IEEE standards are available from Document Center Inc. in both paper and pdf format via our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Our expert staff are available to assist you with all your standards purchases and problems.

In honor of Giant Matt Cain’s perfect game, we review ASTM Standards on Baseball!

Yes, I’m happy to say I was watching the game last night between the SF Giants and the Houston Astro’s and had the pleasure of watching the Giant’s first perfect game!  Matt Cain, our pitcher, was stellar and both SF offense and defense was there for him every step of the way.  Well, such a performance can’t go unnoticed, so to follow up on the excitement, we review U.S. baseball standards available from Document Center Inc.  And that means that we’re looking at the following ASTM offerings:

ASTM F910, “Standard Specification for Face Guards for Youth Baseball”

ASTM F1881, “Standard Test Method for Measuring Baseball Bat Performance Factor”

ASTM F1887, “Standard Test Method for Measuring the Coefficient of Restitution (COR) of Baseballs and Softballs”

ASTM F1888, “Test Method for Compression-Displacement of Baseballs and Softballs”

ASTM F2000, “Standard Guide for Fences for Baseball and Softball Fields”

ASTM F2107, “Standard Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Skinned Areas on Baseball and Softball Fields”

ASTM F2398, “Standard Test Method for Measuring Moment of Inertia and Center of Percussion of a Baseball or Softball Bat”

ASTM F2844, “Standard Test Method for Displacement Compression of Softball and Baseball Bat Barrels”

ASTM F2845, “Standard Test Method for Measuring the Dynamic Stiffness (DS) and Cylindrical Coefficient of Restitution (CCOR) of Baseballs and Softballs”

If your summer reading plans include catching up on America’s pastime, get over to our website, www.document-center.com, and get one or more of the titles above!  Or just use our service for standards on the other topics in your business life.  You can reach us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com) as well.  We’re here to help you with all your standards requirements.

New IPC-9203, Users Guide to IPC-9202 and the IPC-B-52 Standard Test Vehicle

IPC has just released the new standard IPC-9203, “Users Guide to IPC-9202 and the IPC-B-52 Standard Test Vehicle,” and it’s available from Document Center Inc. now.  IPC-9203 helps original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) alleviate materials and process problems and serves as a guide to using the IPC-B-52 SIR (surface insulation resistance) test board.

IPC notes that while there are a variety of industry test vehicles for the examination of materials compatibility, most available test boards leave something to be desired since there is often a dramatic difference in materials between such test boards and produced assemblies.  IPC recognized that a test vehicle was needed which could be used for both ion chromatography and SIR testing that would be more representative of mainstream manufacturing materials and processes.

The IPC-9203 addresses the IPC-B-52 standard test vehicle (found in the IPC-A-52, “Cleanliness and Residue Evaluation Test Board – Single User CD-ROM”) which can be used to evaluate optimize a manufacturing process or to provide objective evidence that a chosen manufacturing material set and manufacturing process are compatible from a cleanliness standpoint.

This user guideline has also been written as a companion document to the IPC-9202, providing clarification on what a manufacturer “should” do and what a manufacturer “must” do for demonstrating materials and process compatibility.

All IPC standards are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Since we’re based in Silicon Valley, we’ve been selling the IPC standards since the 1980’s.  We can help you not only with all your standards purchases, but can also audit your standards collection and monitor it for updates.

New UL 1681 4th Edition, Standard for Wiring Device Configurations

UL 1681, “Standard for Wiring Device Configurations,” has just been revised and is now available from Document Center Inc.  The new 2012 Edition includes configurations that cover attachment plugs, receptacles, cord connectors, some forms of current taps, and flatiron and appliance plugs – all for use in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI/NFPA-70.

These configurations do not cover devices rated at more than 200 A or for more than 600 V.   And this standard does not cover devices having NEMA configurations in accordance with Wiring Devices – Dimensional Specifications, ANSI/NEMA WD6.

The new 2012 UL 1681 was issued to reflect the adoption of the document as an ANSI Standard and to Include Figure C3.1 to illustrate an Alternate Plug Blade Profile Incorporating Insulating Material for Use with Electrical Utilization Equipment.

All UL Standards are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Our staff is available to answer your standards questions.  And we can provide you with other services as well: auditing, monitoring, reporting and so on.  Check it out!

New ASTM D3475 2012 Edition, Standard Classification of Child-Resistant Packages

Do you ever wonder about child-proof bottles for medicine?  cleaning products? pesticides?  Child-proof packaging is an important tool in reducing the risk of children ingesting dangerous items.  So it is natural that the standards community has been active in promoting packaging schemes with this functionality.  And one of the three main standards on this topic, ASTM D3475, “Standard Classification of Child-Resistant Packages,” has just been revised and is available now from Document Center Inc.

The classification scheme of ASTM D3475-12 defines the type of motions, skills, or tools required for a particular type of child-resistant package and provides examples of current packaging within that type.  Packages have been included in the standard as examples based on manufacturers’ claims of child-resistance.

Child-resistant package functionality for any specific product type must be determined by the packager/manufacturer following the guidelines of the PPPA (Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970) and the most current version of the 16 CFR Part 1700 and 40 CFR Part 157 (Code of Federal Regulations).

FYI:  The listing of a package in the ASTM classification scheme is not an indication of whether or not it has been successfully tested in accordance with the guidelines.  Reference to a particular package in this classification is not intended in any manner to denote endorsement or approval of the package by ASTM.

The other two standards on Child Proof Packaging are ISO 8317 2nd Edition, “Child-resistant packaging — Requirements and testing procedures for reclosable packages,”  and ISO 13127 1st Edition, “Packaging — Child resistant packaging — Mechanical test methods for reclosable child resistant packaging systems.”

All these standards are available from Document Center Inc. in paper or pdf format at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Our expert staff can assist you with your standards questions and requirements.

Claudia’s Note:

The new 2013 Edition for ASTM D3475 has just been released (9/15/2013).  The committee has not provided details on where the updates have been made.  We suggest that you may want to purchase the Redline Edition from Document Center since that will provide you with both a clean copy of the new edition and a “marked-up” copy of the previous 2012 Edition.

New ISO 14045 on Environmental management — Eco-efficiency assessment of product systems — Principles, requirements and guidelines

ISO has just released a new standard in the 14000 series: ISO 14045, “Environmental management — Eco-efficiency assessment of product systems — Principles, requirements and guidelines.”  Eco-efficiency assessment is a quantitative management tool which enables the study of life-cycle environmental impacts of a product system along with its product system value for a stakeholder.

The document has already been adopted by the European Union, with the official English language edition (BS EN ISO 14045) in print as well.  The standard is available in either the ISO or EN editions  from Document Center Inc. now.

Within eco-efficiency assessment, environmental impacts are evaluated using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as prescribed by other International Standards (ISO 14040, ISO 14044). Consequently, eco-efficiency assessment shares with LCA many important principles such as life cycle perspective, comprehensiveness, functional unit approach, iterative nature, transparency and priority of a scientific approach.

The value of the product system may be chosen to reflect, for example, its resource, production, delivery or use efficiency, or a combination of these. The value may be expressed in monetary terms or other value aspects.

The key objectives of ISO 14045:2012 are to:
— establish clear terminology and a common methodological framework for eco-efficiency assessment;
— enable the practical use of eco-efficiency assessment for a wide range of product (including service) systems;
— provide clear guidance on the interpretation of eco-efficiency assessment results;
— encourage the transparent, accurate and informative reporting of eco-efficiency assessment results.

This new standard, and all ISO standards, are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Our expert staff is here to assist you with your standards requirements and questions.

Information on SMPTE Standards Stabilized in 2012 — What does “Stabilized” mean?

SMPTE (the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) has “stabilized” a number of standards this year.  Some examples available for purchase at Document Center Inc. are SMPTE ST 0012, SMPTE ST 0076, SMPTE ST 0168, SMPTE ST 0171, SMPTE ST 0190 and SMPTE ST 0223.  What does the designation “stabilized” mean for these standards?

Under normal procedures for maintaining various standards, a developing organization routinely reviews a document once every five years.  However, for some associations, this cycle is proving unnecessary for standards that address mature technologies with little likelihood of change.

So the concept of declaring a standard “stabilized” has been generated to flag documents that are still in force but that are not being reviewed any longer.  Unless a request for modification occurs, the committee considers the document to be relevant for equipment or practices in use as is.

Our examples above deal with Screen Luminance for Drive-In Theaters – Film, unchanged since 1997, Motion-Picture Cameras – 16-mm and 8-mm Threaded Lens Mounts, unchanged since 1996, and so on.

For SMPTE, the term “archived” was previously used to describe these types of documents.  So the two terms are synonymous.  It should be remembered that since the documents are older, the style and format of the standard may be different than newer issues.  SMPTE requests that “suitable care should be taken in interpretation.”

SMPTE standards are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  You can also order by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Because the SMPTE standards were renumbered a few years back, you may need assistance to confirm that you’re getting the correct document.

New ASTM D4727/D4727M 2012 Edition, Standard Specification for Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut Shapes

ASTM D4727/D4727M, “Standard Specification for Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut Shapes,” has just been released as the new 2012 Edition and is available for purchase or download from Document Center Inc.  The document is a popular packaging specification, covering corrugated and solid fiberboard sheet stock (container grade) and cut shapes intended for use mainly in the fabrication of boxes and interior details (for example, pads, sleeves, liners, partitions, and die-cut sheets).  It replaced the federal specification PPP-F-320 back in 1994.

The performance of fiberboard boxes is largely dependent on the paper components from which they are fabricated and, in the case of corrugated boxes, on the flute structure as well. Therefore, a variety of grades reflecting varied performance levels are specified in ASTM D4727/D4727M-12.

The three classes of corrugated fiberboard are domestic and domestic/fire retardant, weather resistant and weather resistant/fire retardant, and water and water-vapor resistant and water and water-vapor resistant/fire retardant.  For solid fiberboard, the two classes are domestic and domestic/fire retardant, and weather resistant and weather resistant/fire retardant.

Corrugated fiberboards are expected to be manufactured with two, three, or four facings for single-, double-, or triple-wall varieties, respectively, with each facing separated by and securely adhered to the corrugating medium of any suitable fiber.  Solid fiberboards, on the other hand, are manufactured from plies securely and continuously laminated together. The facings of corrugated fiberboards and plies of solid fiberboards should conform to the requirements in the document.

Tests for thickness, basis weight, puncture resistance, ply separation, bursting strength, flame spread, specific optical density, and edge crush are also defined in the specification.

Along the same lines, the ASTM D4728 2006, “Standard Test Method for Random Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers,” has been reaffirmed so that it is now the ASTM D4728-06(2012) Edition.

All current ASTM International standards and many obsolete editions are available on our website, www.document-center.com.  Or consider contacting us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We have the expertise to assist you with your standards requirements and questions.

New ASME B20.1 2012 Edition due soon – Safety Standard for Conveyors and Related Equipment

ASME B20.1-2012 Edition, “Safety Standard for Conveyors and Related Equipment,” is due soon and can be pre-ordered from Document Center Inc.  now.  It presents certain guides for the design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of conveyors and related equipment.  The ultimate goal of this standard is to help protect public safety, while reflecting industry best-practices.

The conveyors may be of the bulk material, package, or unit-handling types, where the installation is designed for permanent, temporary, or portable operation.

The first edition of the ASME Safety Standard for Conveyors, Cableways, and Related Equipment was approved by the American Standards Association (now ANSI) as American Standard B20.1-1947. Since then it has been continuously updated to reflect technology advances.

ASME B20.1 offers essential guidance for safety to both public and private sectors:

• For public sectors, it serves as the basis for state, municipal, and other jurisdictional authorities in drafting regulations governing the design, construction, installation, maintenance, inspection and operation of conveyors and related equipment.

• For private sectors, B20.1 provides a standard reference of safety requirements for owners/users, manufacturers, installers, insurance companies, distributors, and designers.

The new edition can be pre-ordered from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We can assist you with all your standards questions and requirements.