The ANSI Federation and standardization community are stepping up with guidance, resources, and initiatives to support public health, safety, and infrastructure during the COVID-19 outbreak. ANSI is monitoring, sharing, and promoting appropriate news to highlight these efforts. Suggestions for news items may be submitted to [email protected]. All submissions are published at ANSI's discretion.
IES to Present Free Educational Program on Germicidal Ultraviolet Disinfection
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Photobiology Committee recently released a committee report in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to explain germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) disinfection. The report focuses on the potential uses of GUV in healthcare facilities, and provides safety precautions regarding residential use.
To provide more details about the report, IES will host a special free educational program on GUV, photobiological basics, carcinogenicity risk, UV-C lamp sources, relevant research, and more on Thursday, May 7, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. Participants viewing the entire program are eligible to receive up to four IES Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Register for IES's Germicidal Ultraviolet Disinfection in the Days of COVID-19. Access the free download, IES Committee Report CR-2-20 FAQs.
NEMA Expands COVID-19 Resources for Electroindustry
NEMA is providing its members with expanded coverage of the latest government policy announcements affecting the electroindustry in its Intelligence Portal. ?
NEMA's COVID-19 page offers resources, including Summary of Federal Actions Potentially Affecting Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Response to COVID-19. Access recent coverage on a joint letter to the National Governors Association, National League of Cities, National Conference of State Legislators, National Association of Towns and Townships, the United States Conference of Mayors, and the National Association of Counties. In the letter, electroindustry leaders urged state and local officials to heed the guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security categorizing workers in the electrical manufacturing supply chain as essential.
NIST Funding Manufacturing Institutes to Support Pandemic Response
The U.S. Department of Commerce's (DoC) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently announced that it has opened a funding opportunity for rapid, high-impact projects that support the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. NIST will award grants through the NIST Manufacturing USA National Emergency Assistance Program, with no requirements for cost matching.
Fundingappropriated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020will be awarded to eligible Manufacturing USA institutes, a network of 14 public-private partnerships that work with academic and private sector manufacturing organizations on research and development and manufacturing skills training.
"These grants will be awarded with speed and agility, as the Department of Commerce aims to work at the speed of business' to meet this unprecedented health challenge," said DoC Secretary Wilbur Ross.
Complete award details, including eligibility requirements, are available on grants.gov. View the NIST press announcement.
Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Offers Resources
Updated on April 30, 2020, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) COVID-19 page features a list of resources in its coronavirus response, including policy and regulatory updates, a video update from OPEI president Kris Kiser on what's happening with OPEI and its international tradeshow, GIE EXPO, general coronavirus resources, and company news related to COVID-19.
OPEI also announced that it is combining forces with several partner associations and groups to advocate for the broader industry, and continues to work on behalf of landscapers, dealers and retailers, distributors, hardscapers, irrigation professionals, contractors, and others. See its business segment resources, and access other information on OPEI's COVID-19 webpage.
UL Updates COVID-19 Support and Services
UL offers updated emergency services and related resources on its COVID-19 Support and Service Center.
The site offers numerous resources, including employee safety and business continuity guidance; solutions to help adapt processes and factories to meet the global demand for masks, ventilators, and other key products; as well as regulatory guidance, alternate material support, and testing and verification to meet market demand for hand sanitizers, cleaning wipes, or disinfecting products.
As ANSI previously reported, UL identified 23 of its standards that can help to fight COVID-19, accessible, (free) here.
See more ANSI member efforts in the newly launched ANSI COVID-19 Resource Webpage Highlighting Standardization Community Response Efforts.