The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) encourages relevant stakeholders to submit feedback by May 15, 2020, on an International Workshop Agreement (IWA) proposal that focuses on guidelines for contactless delivery service, which has seen an uptick among consumers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The IWA proposal was recently circulated to the Technical Management Board of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the transmission of the infectious disease, which can spread by direct contact with infected people and indirect contact with surfaces, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As multiple global regions face lockdowns and mandated stay-in-place orders, many consumers are increasingly dependent on grocery and restaurant delivery services. As a precautionary measure during the health crisis, various food delivery platforms in the USA, UK, Germany, Japan, India, Malaysia, and other countries are providing contactless delivery services.
What is a "Contactless" Delivery Service?
After consumers fulfill a delivery order, couriers will place items in a designated location where consumers will pick up the products themselves. This delivery method reduces direct contact among people, and supports better health and safety outcome of both consumers and delivery people during the epidemic.
The IWA proposal, which names several food delivery platforms that operate in a contactless format, also explains that the implementation of this type of service will lead to new technology, new ideas, and new methods that will promote technological progress and social development.
Furthermore, the document explains how the IWA supports the implementation of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including SDG3-"Good Health and Well-Being," SDG8-"Decent Work and Economic Growth," SDG11-"Sustainable Cities and Communities," and SDG12-"Responsible Consumption and Production."
Given these safety-driven updates across delivery services, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) submitted the proposal for the development of the ISO International Workshop Agreement on Guidelines for contactless delivery service. ANSI, which is the U.S. member body to ISO, seeks feedback on these guidelines, which aim to:
More about the IWA
An International Workshop Agreement, or IWA, is a document developed outside the normal ISO committee system to enable market players to negotiate in an "open workshop" environment. A member body typically administratively supports IWAs. The IWA may serve as a starting point in developing standardization work that will support enhanced safety in the consumer market.
All interested U.S. parties are invited to review the proposal. Submit comments to Steven Cornish, ANSI senior director of international policy and strategy, at [email protected] by close of business on May 15, 2020.