OPPORTUNITy SPOTLIGHT: STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES AVAILABLE
1. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)’s Health, Fitness and Wellness (R11) Pulse Oximetry Monitoring Working Group (WG16) is developing CTA-2127, Performance Characteristics and Requirements for Consumer Pulse Oximetry Monitoring.
CTA describes the document as follows:This document will identify the performance characteristics and requirements relevant to over-the-counter (OTC) pulse oximetry devices for health and wellness applications. It provides helpful information leveraging other established standards to help consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and other interested parties understand the performance characteristics to minimize consumer risks and confusion related to the use of a consumer pulse oximeter.
CTA is reaching out to a wide spectrum of experts for additional input from the consumer perspective. The group is curious to know if the document is 1) understandable, 2) if it cover the areas needed from the consumer perspective, 3) what are gaps the group should consider further. Input is requested by Friday January 10th. (I can get the item for you to review before you decide.)
2. UL is looking for consumer members for UL 696: Electric Toys.
Scope:1.1 These requirements cover electrically-operated toys including miniatures of full-sized appliances that may not necessarily perform the expected function of the copied appliance and that are intended to be used on nominal 120-volt branch circuits. The package for the toy, including packaging material if intended to be used with the toy, is considered to be a part of the toy and is covered by these requirements. An electric product is considered a toy if it is designed, manufactured, or marketed as a plaything for children over the age of 3.
1.2 For a toy that mimics the form or function of an established general-use appliance, the established requirements applicable to the general-use appliance shall be considered in defining the particular requirements applicable to the toy. Among the considerations that may be applicable are normal and abnormal test conditions. The requirements of the standard covering the general- use appliance shall not reduce the level of requirements addressed by this standard, but shall supplement the content of this standard as appropriate.
1.3 These requirements do not cover toys for outdoor use, sewing machines, flatirons, toys that operate with water, toys that operate with a gas or liquid under pressure (such as a steam engine), toy transformers, or toys intended to operate from the secondary of a toy transformer at a potential of 30 volts rms (42.4 volts peak) or less.
For details, contact: [email protected]
3. UL is looking for consumer representation in UL 1086, Household Trash Compactors
Scope:1.1 These requirements cover trash compactors that are rated 250 V or less and intended for household use to reduce the volume of waste prior to disposal; and that are intended to be employed in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70.
This Standard for household trash compactors outlines safety requirements that help to mitigate the risk of fire, shock and injury.
For details, contact: [email protected]
Standards are everywhere if you look for them - from toys to household gadgets to AI to environmental technologies. Innovation is shaped and guided by standards. Thousands of people around the world - academics, consumers, manufacturers, to name a few - are working to build consensus in committees to ensure the products, processes and systems we rely on every day are safe, efficient and work well together.
Consumers play an important role on standards committees. You need not be a technical expert - your unique contribution will be your experience as a user. Your opinions will be taken seriously, although they may not prevail on every issue. You will see the consensus process in operation. And, you will have the opportunity to help develop a safety standard that will improve products and services, reducing risks.
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National Institute for Standards and Technology Overview