Deoxidizers and Desiccants: ANSI Seeks Comments on Proposed New ISO Technical Committee

Submit Input to ANSI by May 7, 2021

As the U.S. member body to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is seeking comments on a proposal for a new ISO Technical Committee (TC) focusing on deoxidizers and desiccants.

Desiccants and deoxidizers—found in small packages and also known as silica packets and oxygen absorbers, respectively—are often used for the protection of food, electric products, textile, art ware, and leather goods. While the production of desiccants and deoxidizers is gradually increasing, there is currently no ISO TC focusing on international standards in this area.

If a technical committee is established to develop standards, the TC would serve to: 

• Improve the quality and safety of effective deoxidizers and desiccants
• Promote the development of market and trade for deoxidizer and desiccant
• Foster international cooperation and exchanges in the field of desiccant and deoxidizer

The Standardization Administration of China (SAC), the ISO member for China, submitted the proposal to ISO with the following scope statement:

• Standardization in the field of deoxidizers and desiccants, including terminology, categories, specifications, control and management of production processes, and testing methods of the quality and safety indexes. 
• Excluded: Requirements of the outer package of products covered by ISO/TC122, Packaging.

Review the proposal for additional information and submit comments to Steven Cornish, ANSI senior director of international policy and strategy, [email protected], by close of business on May 7, 2021. Based on input received from U.S. stakeholders, a recommended ANSI position and any comments will be developed and presented at the ANSI ISO Committee (AIC) for approval before ISO's voting deadline of June 18, 2021.

ANSI has published an explanatory information document outlining the process used to develop U.S. positions in issues and activities under consideration by ISO and IEC.