What is the difference between an ISO, EN-ISO and BS-EN-ISO Standard?

We often get asked this simple question: “What is the difference between an ISO, EN-ISO and BS-EN-ISO Standard?”  The simple answer is “Not much.”  But there’s more to it than that.

I’ve talked about this in a previous blog, but since the question still crops up with much frequency, I’m going to address the question again.

There are three issues at play in answering the question:  1. Location, 2.  Adoption, and 3.  Certification.

1.  Location:

An ISO document is developed as an international standard.  It is intended to have world-wide usage.  It is written under strict protocols with participation from delegates from all over the world.  Once released, it is publicly available for distribution.

An EN document is developed as a regional standard.  It is intended to be used in the European Union.  It is written under protocols with participation from delegates of the member states.  Once released, it is not available for public distribution.

A BS-EN document (or DIN-EN or AFNOR-EN, etc.) is a national standard.  It is published as each country in Europe adopts the EN document.  There are strict requirements for the withdrawal of any conflicting or duplicating standards.

2.  Adoption:

When an ISO document is released, countries have the right to republish the standard as a national adoption.  So, when the ISO-14971, for example, is issued, the European Union has the right to adopt and republish the standard.

When the EU chooses to adopt an ISO standard, they add a level of administrative overhead.  Thus, the EN adoption has a later issue date than the original ISO document, plus additional cover sheet information.

Usually, the true title of the EN standard will show you exactly what revision level of the ISO standard is being adopted.  So in our example of EN-ISO-14971, 2009 Edition, the title is “Medical devices – Application of risk management to medical devices (ISO 14971:2007, Corrected version 2007-10-01).”  As you can see, the complete title shows you what edition of the ISO document has been adopted.

However, as we noted above, the EN edition when issued is not actually available for public distribution.  Copies in English, French and German are supplied to each member of the EU.

The British Standards Institute publishes the official English language edition (in this case, BS-EN-ISO-14971), the German Standards Institute (DIN) publishes the official German language edition, and the French (AFNOR) publish the official French language edition.  The issue dates on each of these national adoptions will differ as the administrative time to review national standards for possible withdrawal varies.

3.  Certification:

As we have seen, we have a core ISO document that becomes increasing “wrapped” in layers of administrative adoption processes.  While our first impulse would be to go to the source document, I encourage you to take a moment to consider the political undercurrents involved.

Because the EN editions of all standards are called out in the European Union’s regulatory schema (the European Directives harmonization process), many certification professionals will only accept EN standards when reviewing customer facilities and practices.  Additionally, the EN editions have the Z Annexes, which do have an impact on your understanding of how the clauses in an individual harmonized standard relate to the relevant Directive.

So if you know that your trading partner in the European Union is in Germany and they want your auditor to come from a German firm, you may be well advised to get the English language editions of the DIN-EN standards where ever possible.

And if you are going to be audited by a firm based in England, like BSI for example, you should definitely consider purchasing the BS-EN editions of any ISO standard you use.  This can save you much time during your audit, even though it costs significantly more when you purchase the standard itself.

So, in conclusion, ISO, EN-ISO, and BS-EN-ISO documents all contain the same core information.  Only the administrative “wrapping” changes with each subsequent adoption level.

I hope this helps you understand this complex issue!

Let me know if you have any questions.  I can be reached by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Or my expert staff can easily help you out.

New ASME A17.3 2011 Edition released: Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators (Includes Requirements for Electric and Hydraulic Elevators and Escalators)

The new 2011 Edition of ASME A17.3, “Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators (Includes Requirements for Electric and Hydraulic Elevators and Escalators),” has just been released.  The new 116 page code establishes minimum requirements to provide a reasonable degree of safety for the general public.  It is intended for anyone engaged in the safety of elevators, escalators and related conveyances.

A17.3 is intended to serve as the basis for state and local jurisdictional authorities in adopting retroactive requirements for existing elevators and escalators to enhance the safety of the general public.  It is also intended as a standard reference of safety requirements for the guidance of architects, engineers, insurance companies, manufacturers, and contractors, and as a standard of safety practices for building owners and managers of structures where existing elevator equipment covered in the scope of the Code is used.

ASME A17.3 guides all parties engaged in the safe installation, inspection, testing, operation, and/or insurance of existing elevators and escalators.  As an alternative standard to A17.1, it also allows for more flexibility in problem-solving.

This is the fourth A17 standard released in recent months.  The others are ASME A17.1, “Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators,” ASME A17.2, “Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks,” and ASME A17.5, “Elevator and Escalator Electrical Equipment.”  The standards should be stable until the next revision cycle in about 2014.

All ASME Standards, including obsolete editions, can be purchased from Document Center Inc. through our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’re happy to assist you with any standards questions you may have.

New Revision A released for MIL-STD-38784 on Technical Manuals: General Style and Format Requirements

The new Revision A for MIL STD 38784, “Manuals, Technical: General Style and Format Requirements,” was released on 8/25/2011.  The 140 page standard replaces the 1995 Edition with Notices 1 and 2 from 2000.

This standard covers the general style and format requirements for the preparation of standard Technical Manuals (TM) and for such changes as are intended for military applications. This includes all technical documents assigned a TM identification number and controlled by a TM management information system, or subject to requisition from an inventory control point.

MIL-STD-38784 provides for Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) Document Type Definition (DTD) usage (see Appendices B through E) required for electronic data delivery, including PDF. This standard supplements the performance of detail specifications used for specific TM types and related publications, but does not deliver any technical data.

The examples provided at the end of this standard are typical and may be adapted to fit the specific equipment or situation being covered unless otherwise noted. All appendices are intended for compliance when applicable.

Technical publications prepared in accordance with this standard are intended for use in the installation, operation, maintenance, repair and logistics support of military equipment/systems or for accomplishment of assigned missions and to set a style and format standard for related publications for which no other standards exist.

Marginal notations are not used in Revision A to identify changes with respect to the the original issue due to the extent of the changes.

This standard and all Military Specifications and Standards not covered by a security classification are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Many obsolete revisions are available as well.  And our staff can assist you in identifying replacement documents for withdrawn documents.  Just contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).

New ASTM E384 2011 Edition released on Standard Test Method for Knoop and Vickers Hardness of Materials

ASTM E384 2011 Edition, titled “Standard Test Method for Knoop and Vickers Hardness of Materials,” has been released.   This 43-page test method covers determination of the Knoop and Vickers hardness of materials, the verification of Knoop and Vickers hardness testing machines, and the calibration of standardized Knoop and Vickers test blocks.

Hardness tests have been found to be very useful for materials evaluation, quality control of manufacturing processes and research and development efforts.  Hardness, although empirical in nature, can be correlated to tensile strength for many metals, and is an indicator of wear resistance and ductility.

Because the Knoop and Vickers hardness will reveal hardness variations that may exist within a material, a single test value may not be representative of the bulk hardness.

The Vickers indenter usually produces a geometrically similar indentation at all test forces.  Except for tests at very low forces that produce indentations with diagonals smaller than about 25 μm, the hardness number will be essentially the same as produced by Vickers machines with test forces greater than 1 kgf, as long as the material being tested is reasonably homogeneous.  For isotropic materials, the two diagonals of a Vickers indentation are equal in size.  Recommendations for low force microindentation testing are also included in Appendix X5.

The Knoop indenter does not produce a geometrically similar indentation as a function of test force.  Consequently, the Knoop hardness will vary with test force.  Due to its rhombic shape, the indentation depth is shallower for a Knoop indentation compared to a Vickers indentation under identical test conditions.  The two diagonals of a Knoop indentation are markedly different.  Ideally, the long diagonal is 7.114 times longer than the short diagonal, but this ratio is influenced by elastic recovery.  Thus, the Knoop indenter is very useful for evaluating hardness gradients or thin coatings of sectioned samples.

The ASTM E384 and all ASTM test methods are available on Document Center’s website, www.document-center.com.  Additionally we have many obsolete revisions of the ASTM standards available.  You may prefer to contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com) if you have any additional questions.

New ANSI/BHMA A156.10-2011 Released on Power Operated Pedestrian Doors

The new ANSI/BHMA A156.10 2011 Edition, “Power Operated Pedestrian Doors,” is now available from Document Center Inc.  The 54-page revision standard contains provisions, including performance tests and dimensional requirements, that are intended to reduce the chance of injury.

Requirements in this Standard apply to power operated doors for pedestrian use which open automatically when approached by pedestrians and some small vehicular traffic, or by a knowing act. Included are provisions to reduce the chance of user injury or entrapment.

Power operated doors for industrial or trained traffic are not covered by ANSI/BHMA A156.10.  It also does not apply to power assist and low energy power operated doors, which are covered by ANSI/BHMA A156.19.

The standard contains specifications relating to minimum or maximum dimensions of various components of power operated doors for pedestrian use and some small vehicular traffic,  providing user protection for  standard application conditions. These dimensions, naturally, do not apply to custom installations.

Tests and required performance levels in this standard include:  Control Mat Performance, Break Away Egress, and Salt Spray.

This new edition and all BHMA standards are available from Document Center Inc. under license agreement with BHMA.  Use our website, www.document-center.com, or call us at 650-591-7600.  You can also reach us by fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Your order can be processed upon receipt for either e-delivery within 20 minutes or UPS shipment if received by 3:45 pm California time.

New ASTM F2412 2011 Edition and ASTM F2413 2011 Edition Just Released for Protective Footwear and Toe Caps

The ASTM F2412-11 and ASTM F2413-11 have just been released.  They are the essential ASTM standards on foot protection and safety toe caps.  The two documents replaced the ANSI Z41 standard back in 2005.  The new editions are available from Document Center Inc. in both paper and electronic format.

ASTM F2412, titled “Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection,” covers test methods that measure the resistance of footwear to a variety of hazards that can potentially result in injury.  Areas include:

Impact resistance for the toe area of footwear,

Compression resistance for the toe area of footwear,

Metatarsal protection that reduces the chance of injury to the metatarsal bones at the top of the foot,

Conductive properties which reduce hazards that may result from static electricity buildup, and reduce the possibility of ignition of explosives and volatile chemicals,

Electric Hazard by stepping on live wire,

Static dissipative (SD) properties to reduce hazards due to excessively low footwear electrical resistance that may exist where SD footwear is required, and

Puncture resistance footwear devices.

ASTM F2413, “Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear,” covers the minimum design, performance, testing, and classification requirements, and prescribes fit, function, and performance criteria for footwear designed to be worn to provide protection against a variety of workplace hazards that can potentially result in injury.

The specification is not intended to serve as a detailed manufacturing or purchasing specification, but can be referenced in purchase contracts to ensure that minimum performance requirements are met.

Footwear conforming to this specification shall meet the performance requirements for the following:

Impact resistance for the toe area of footwear,

Compression resistance for the toe area of footwear,

Metatarsal protection that reduces the chance of injury to the metatarsal bones at the top of the foot,

Conductive properties which reduce hazards that may result from static electricity buildup, and reduce the possibility of ignition of explosives and volatile chemicals,

Electric shock resistance,

Static dissipative (SD) properties to reduce hazards due to excessively low footwear resistance that may exist where SD footwear is required,

Puncture resistance of footwear bottoms,

Chain saw cut resistance, and

Dielectric insulation.

Document Center Inc. has been providing ASTM standards under licensed contract since the 1980’s.  We have a complete collection of current standards and many of the obsolete revisions as well.  Order through our website, www.document-center.com, or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We would be pleased to work with you.

New ANSI Z535 Series 2011 Editions for Safety Signs, Symbols, Labels and Tags is due to be released

The ANSI Z535 Series has been updated and is available for pre-ordering now from Document Center Inc.  The new revisions have been issued for all 6 standards in the series and will be available in September if there are no glitches in the publications process.

The six standards affected are:

ANSI Z535.1, 2006 Edition reapproved in 2011, “American National Standard for Safety Colors.”  Part 1 sets forth the technical definitions, color standards, and color tolerances for safety colors.

ANSI Z535.2, 2011 Edition, “American National Standard for Environmental and Facility Safety Signs.”  Part 2 covers requirements for the design, application, and use of safety signs in facilities and in the environment.

ANSI Z535.3, 2011 Edition, “American National Standard for Criteria for Safety Symbols.”  Part 3 provides general criteria for the design, evaluation, and use of safety symbols to identify and warn against specific hazards, and to provide information to avoid personal injury.

ANSI Z535.4, 2011 Edition, “American National Standard for Product Safety Signs and Labels.”  Part 4 defines performance requirements for the design, application, use, and placement of safety signs and labels intended to identify hazards for persons using, operating, servicing, or in proximity to, a wide variety of products.

ANSI Z535.5, 2011 Edition, “American National Standard for Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes (for Temporary Hazards).”   Part 5 covers safety tags and barricade tapes that are used to identify a temporary hazard. These types of tags shall be used only until such time as the identified hazard is eliminated or the hazardous operation is completed. For example, a safety tag would be appropriate for use during lock-out/tag-out procedures or use on a damaged tool until the tool can be properly removed from the work area. A barricade tape would be suitable to mark an area affected by a chemical spill or an open and temporary trench.

Safety tags or barricade tapes shall not be used in place of a permanent sign or label intended for hazards in normal use, operation, or maintenance. However, if a permanent sign or label is presented in a tag configuration or a hang tag is used to supplement a permanent safety sign, the safety tag should comply with the provisions of ANSI Z535.4 or ANSI Z535.2.

While this standard addresses safety tags and barricade tapes for temporary hazards, other tags or tape types are not addressed by this standard. For example, underground tapes, permanent tapes, striped tapes and non-skid tapes are not covered by this standard.

ANSI Z535.6, 2011 Edition, “American National Standard for Product Safety Information in Product Manuals, Instructions and Other Collateral Materials.”  This standard sets forth requirements for the design and location of product safety messages in collateral materials for a wide variety of products.

These and all ANSI standards are available from Document Center Inc. through our website, www.document-center.com.  Or you can contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We have been working with ANSI for many years now.  Additionally we are one of the primary outlets for both paper and electronic copies of standards that are only available via download from the ANSI website.

 

How does Document Center audit your standards collection?

Document Center Inc. has been in the business of monitoring and selling standards since 1982.  With this much experience, we know standards better than almost anyone else around!  So when customers ask, “Who can audit my standards collection?” Document Center is the answer.

When our customers are facing compliance-driven certification audits, they want to minimize the risk of discovering their standards are out-of-date.  Asking staff members to look up the various documents they use is time-consuming and error-prone.

But Document Center Inc. is getting information on new releases every day.  And we keep all this information in our in-house database of standards that monitors over 750,000 different items.

By handing over your list of standards to Document Center to review, you know that you’ll be aware of the current edition of every item on your list, including amendments, correction sheets, and other add-on components that can elude the standards novice.

A Document Center Audit is quick, taking anywhere from 1 day to 1 week depending on the number of standards to review.  Its also frees up your staff to concentrate on other activities to prepare for your conformance review.

You’ll get a complete list of the items you need to bring your collection into current status.  And if you additionally request us to monitor the list for you in the future, you can get timely notification of all changes to the conformance standards you depend on in your business.

Contact our sales staff at (650) 591-7600 or email us at info@document-center.com.  We’ll be happy to work with you to get you in tip-top shape for your upcoming review.

New Revision C for DI-TMSS-80527, Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Manuals and Associated Supplemental Data

DI-TMSS-80527 has recently been updated with the release of Revision C which replaces the DI-TMSS-80527B from 2006.  The new one-page Data Item Description, titled “Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Manuals and Associated Supplemental Data,” describes the format, content, and intended use information for the data deliverable(s) resulting from the work described in MIL-PRF-32216.

Data Item Descriptions are short military documents that define the data required of a contractor (like a report or manual, for example). The DID (as they are known) specifically defines the data content, format, and intended use.

The TMSS in the document number refers to the FSC classification for the document, in this case Technical Manuals, Specifications and Standards.  The DID’s now use the FSC in the number to segregate the documents by catagory.

To order this DID, or any publicly available U.S. military publication, please use our website at www.document-center.com.  Or contact our Document Center staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We have many obsolete revisions as well as the current editions.

RR-C-271 Revision F released on Chains and Attachments, Carbon and Alloy Steel

Federal Specification RR-C-271 Revision F has just been released.  Titled “Chains and Attachments, Carbon and Alloy Steel,” the specification covers carbon and alloy steel chain of commercial quality together with the attachments most commonly used with this type of chain.  The RR-C-271F replaces the now-obsolete RR-C-271E from December 2010.

The 45 page revision covers the following classes and styles for Type I welded steel chain:

Class 1 – Alloy chain (overhead lift), Class 2 – High-test chain, Class 3 – Transport chain, Class 4 – Proof-coil chain and for Class 5 – Twist-link chain – Style 1 – Long-link pattern (coil) and Style 2 – Short-link pattern (machine)

For Type II weldless (forged and casting) chain, the following classes are included:

Class 1 – Single-loop pattern chain, Class 2 – Double-loop pattern chain, Class 3 – Sash chain, Class 4 – Flat-link chain, Class 5 – Bead chain, Class 6 – Plumber’s chain, Class 7 – Single-jack chain, Class 8 – Double-jack chain, Class 9 – Ladder chain, Class 10 – Register chain, and Class 11 – Mechanical communication chain.

Federal specifications do not include all types, grades, classes, and styles of the commodities indicated by the title of the specification, or which are commercially available, but are intended to cover the types that are suitable for Federal Government requirements.

The RR series of Federal Specifications covers end products purchased by the U.S. Government that are made of metal.  So some items in this grouping include metal paper napkin dispensers and chain link fencing.  Many of the documents in the series have been canceled long ago, replaced by commercial item descriptions (CID’s) or withdrawn without replacement.

With new revisions of government standards, you may or may not find clear notation of the changes from the previous edition.  If you’re lucky, there will be lines in the margins (or sometimes asterisks) bringing those areas to your attention.  However, in the case of RR-C-271F, section 6.5 notes that identification of changes with respect to the previous issue are not present due to the extensive changes.

RR-C-271 and all Federal Specifications can be purchased from our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact Document Center staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) and email (info@document-center.com).  Many obsolete copies of Federal documents are available from us as well.