The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) encourages its stakeholders to submit feedback on a proposal for an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) International Workshop Agreement (IWA) on crystal. Submit comments to ANSI by November 11, 2022.
AFNOR, the French member body to ISO, together with the European Domestic Glass Association, submitted the proposal for an ISO IWA on crystal, crystal glass, and lead crystal glass for tableware, containers, giftware, jewelry, home decor, decorative components, furniture, and luminaires.
According to the proposal, there has been recent technical progress and market evolution with regard to certain crystal glass types for domestic use. A market shift occurred from lead crystal glass to innovative crystal glass, driven by progress in industrial processes. Three decades of research also led to the development of new formulas without intentionally added lead oxide. Because of these innovations an entirely new product, “crystal," is now being put on the market. The proposal asserts there is an urgent need to ensure that consumers are not confused or misled by these innovations. Accordingly, the purpose of the IWA would be to establish specifications for “crystal,” crystal glass, and lead crystal. It is expected that these specifications would address density, refractive index, and composition of each, including lead content.
As the U.S. member body to ISO, ANSI encourages all interested U.S. parties to review the proposal, which includes additional IWA document aims. Submit comments to Steven Cornish, ANSI senior director of international policy and strategy, at [email protected] by close of business on November 11, 2022.
Based on the input received, comments will be submitted as the ANSI member of the ISO Technical Management Board.
What is an IWA?
An IWA is a type of document that is developed with direct participation of stakeholders outside of the traditional ISO country representation to enable players to negotiate an open workshop environment. After the IWA workshop, text will be edited and published. A proposal to hold an ISO workshop for the purpose of developing one or more IWA on a particular subject may come from any source, including ISO member bodies, liaison organizations, corporate bodies, etc.