UPDATE FROM DEBBIE CHIN
STANDARDS AND CONFORMANCE INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY REVIEW
The policy review underway by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is into another phase since the July issue of Touchstone. The cut-off date for submissions was 31 July and I would like to thank those of you who took the time to lodge one. We understand over 50 submissions have been received. Two stakeholder forums convened by MBIE were held on 23 and 25 July here at Standards New Zealand. Thank you also to those of you who participated in these. Ministry staff received direct feedback on the role, place, and value provided by national Standards and through our international Standards connections. MBIE's report is due to the Minister in October. The Standards Council and I look forward to recognition of the unrealised potential of the national Standards body and options for an enduring Standards system solution for New Zealand. I will update you in the September issue of Touchstone.
CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKES ROYAL COMMISSION
The Standards Council is preparing to lodge its third submission to the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission. There is significant overlap between the outcomes of both the policy review and the Royal Commission inquiry in their impact on us. A discussion document released by the Royal Commission last month sought submissions on many aspects of the building and construction regulatory framework including roles and responsibilities of all the key players within the framework. The hearing date for these starts on 3 September. I will advise when our third submission is on the Royal Commission's website. The Commission's final report is being completed in parts with the final part due to the Government in November 2012.
SETTING THE STANDARD FOR 80 YEARS
This year, we are proud to be 80 years old. On February 3, 1931 the Hawkes Bay region was struck by the worst earthquake in New Zealand's history.The quake measured 7.9 on the Richter scale.The death toll was 258, fire spread throughout Napier and Hastings, major Napier buildings and landmarks were completely destroyed, areas of coastline were dislodged, and the landscape changed forever. Following this disaster, Standards New Zealand was established to ensure future such events did not result in the same loss of life although, at that time we were The New Zealand Standards Institution.
In 1933 the first New Zealand Standard was issued, NZS:1 The Colouring and Marking of Foundry Patterns. This was a British Standard adopted as a New Zealand Standard. In 1938 the first original New Zealand Standard was issued – NZSS:143 Galvanized (Zinc coated) Steel Fencing Wire (otherwise known as 'No. 8 wire').
Today, Standards New Zealand has a catalogue of nearly 3000 Standards covering a wide range of topics including: health and disability, sport and recreation, energy efficiency, fire safety, and fertility services, to name a few.
2011 MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARDS
It is full steam ahead for our 2011 Meritorious Service Awards breakfast event to be held in the Banquet Hall at Parliament on Thursday, 23 August 2012. Our host and guest speaker is Hon John Banks, Associate Minister of Commerce.
These awards are a major opportunity for us to formally recognise the outstanding contribution that our committee members make to the development of Standards. They are also a way for us to thank the employers who enable their staff to participate on committees; the nominating organisations; and the many self-employed committee members who contribute their time to the Standards process.
If you have received an invitation to the event, it would be greatly appreciated if you could RSVP to seminars@standards.co.nz as soon as possible for catering purposes.
NEW SERVICE FOR ISO AND IEC INTERNATIONAL Standards
We are very pleased to advise that you can now purchase PDFs of ISO and IEC Standards from our website. We are looking to extend this to provide Standards from other international Standards bodies as well. The process for ordering the international Standards is the same as if you were purchasing a New Zealand, or joint Australian/New Zealand Standard from our website, except you need to select to search under the ISO or IEC catalogue. Having better access to international Standards continues our goal of consistently improving the products and services we offer to our customers and we hope you find this new service valuable.
GUMBOOTS AND STANDARDS
I was interested to read about the launch last month of a new $1 million gumboot production machine at Bata Company (NZ) Ltd in Owhiro Bay, Wellington. The machine will be used to make more than 150 000 gumboots a year specially designed for the broad Kiwi foot. Coincidentally, in the same week of the launch, we interviewed Bata Industrial's operations manager, Tony Harmer, on the value of Standards to Bata, for a series of case studies we are putting together. You can read the story in Touchstone.
UPDATE ON NZS 3910:2003 – CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT FOR BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION
There have been regular updates in Touchstone on progress of the revision of NZS 3910:2003 – Conditions of contract for building and civil engineering construction. As I advised in the last update in June, a committee meeting held in May reviewed progress of the working groups. A further meeting (meeting 4) was held on 5 July to complete the committee's review of the working groups' changes.
There were several action points allocated to committee members for completion by early August and the draft will then be prepared for public comment.The target date for the commencement of public comment is the end of August; however this is subject to committee approval of the draft.
A brochure containing more information about the history of NZS 3910, the benefits of using it, and its revision is available here.
PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOU THINK OF TOUCHSTONE
It is important to us that our communications with you are interesting and relevant. To that end, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take time to answer a short survey we will be running with the September issue of Touchstone. We would really like to hear what you want and need from our monthly electronic magazine.
ROOMS FOR HIRE
Standards New Zealand has a range of meeting rooms for hire. From meetings for as few as two people to seminars, conferences, or training for up to 60 people, we can accommodate your needs.
We are located in the heart of the Wellington CBD, with parking and accommodation next door. We can also supply catering and a full range of meeting room equipment.
Contact us next time you need a venue. Please visit our website for more information.
Debbie Chin, Chief Executive
Standards New Zealand