公告&动态 第204页

New Australian publication to accelerate digital hospitals 

Today, Standards Australia published a world first digital hospitals handbook, an initiative led by the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) and the National Health CIO Forum (NHCIOF).

SA HB 163:2017, Digital Hospitals Handbook, focuses on delivering more efficient hospital services through the use of technology.

It is a people and outcomes focused document intended for use across a broad audience.

Digital health projects across the globe have faced challenges. Australian experts wanted a consolidated reference to guide health systems as they move to digital. The handbook aims to improve the outcomes of these types of projects by ensuring:

• Clear articulation of the underlying principles for a “digital hospital”

• Alignment with the design, construction and commissioning of healthcare facilities through a benefits estimation/realisation framework

• An ICT systems architecture that enables innovative healthcare services now and into the future

Dr Bronwyn Evans, CEO of Standards Australia and Chair of the Industry Growth Centre for Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals, recognised the significance of this publication for Australia.

“We need to apply a contemporary digital lens over the model of care and design of buildings and organisations. The Digital Hospitals Handbook does just that.

“The document effectively aligns with industry policy, addressing the importance of technology for the sector’s future. As the first of its kind in the world, it showcases Australia’s competitiveness and capacity for innovation,” said Dr Evans.

Standards Australia technical committee IT-039, which is responsible for the development of the Digital Hospitals Handbook, is constituted of a balanced representation of stakeholder interests.

The membership includes representatives from government, industry, academic and health organisations.

Chair of the technical committee IT-039, Dr Andrew P Howard, explained the background and impact of the handbook.

“Australian hospitals have been improving their digital maturity for decades. However, early adopters show some projects have cost more, taken longer and been less effective than was otherwise possible.

“SA HB 163 presents pragmatic solutions for stakeholders of all backgrounds. By focusing on people and outcomes our hope is it will be widely leveraged by private and public health systems as they plan their digital transitions,” said Dr Howard. 

New ISO standard on video fire detectors will help save lives

Early detection of fire and smoke are essential to save lives, property and the environment. Modern technology such as video fire detectors, especially in some high-risk places like tunnels, oil and gas environments, public buildings or storage areas, enable a fast response to a potential fire. A new ISO technical specification on video fire detectors helps ensure more efficient and reliable equipment.

According to the Center of Fire Statistics (CFS) of the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF), among 31 countries representing 14 % of the world’s population, fire services reported 3.5 million fires, 18.5 thousand civilian fire deaths and 45.0 thousand civilian fire injuries in 2015.

Video detection technology detects, identifies and analyses smoke at the first sign of fire or flame. The equipment’s understanding of the behaviour and movement of smoke enables users, located on site or remotely, to raise the alert and take appropriate action early.

Keith Shinn, Chair of ISO subcommittee ISO/TC 21/SC 3 that developed the standard, says: “In large open compartments, it can remove the delay in smoke travelling to the detector and result in a quicker response by emergency services. It can also permit smoke detection in harsh environments where it may otherwise be impractical.”

ISO/TS 7240-29:2017, Fire detection and alarm systems – Part 29: Video fire detectors, specifies requirements, test methods and performance criteria for video fire detectors (VFD) operating in the visible spectrum, for use in fire detection and alarm systems installed in and around buildings.

Isaac Papier, Convenor of ISO subcommittee ISO/TC 21/SC 3, explains: “Industrial fire detection serves two vital functions. First in preventing loss of the facility, but actually, more importantly, in providing a fast response such that operation is not interrupted resulting in severe revenue loss. Today’s modern automated production facilities comprise of huge investments with revenue flows often exceeding millions of dollars per hour. Any downtime can very quickly amount to huge sums. Further, any shutdown can involve complex and lengthy start-up procedures that further exacerbate the loss. A video fire detector is an excellent tool to effectively monitor a large area in real time.”

Until now, there has been no comprehensive international specification for video fire detectors and ISO/TS 7240-29 provides the first platform for international acceptance of a uniform specification.

Shinn explains: “The community at large should be the greatest beneficiary of the release of this technical specification.

New handbook helps SMEs best manage water use

Clean water is vital to life and one of our most precious resources, yet around 40% of the world’s population doesn’t have enough. At the same time, we are our own worst enemy as over 80% of wastewater generated by society flows back into the ecosystem neither treated nor reused.

The issue is widely recognized, which is why water features heavily in several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and governments and businesses are facing increasing pressure to limit their water use. In order to do this, however, they must first be able to measure it.

A new ISO handbook, ISO 14046 Environmental management- Water footprint – A practical guide for SMEs, developed in partnership with ITC, has just been published to help all kinds of organizations, in particular SMEs, better understand the standard and maximize the benefits that it offers.

Handbook co-author Sebastien Humbert said water footprinting is a relatively new type of assessment compared to others such as carbon footprinting and there are numerous methodologies with varying results.

“Having been developed with the involvement of thousands of contributors from around 60 countries and 20 non-governmental organizations, ISO 14046 provides international consensus on a common language for all interested parties, and provides a framework to measure the environmental impacts resulting from their water use.”

“This handbook helps organizations prepare for and undertake a water footprint assessment using ISO 14046, through practical guidance on not only the main clauses, but also those most open to interpretation.”

New handbook helps SMEs best manage water use

Clean water is vital to life and one of our most precious resources, yet around 40% of the world’s population doesn’t have enough. At the same time, we are our own worst enemy as over 80% of wastewater generated by society flows back into the ecosystem neither treated nor reused.

The issue is widely recognized, which is why water features heavily in several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and governments and businesses are facing increasing pressure to limit their water use. In order to do this, however, they must first be able to measure it.

A new ISO handbook, ISO 14046 Environmental management- Water footprint – A practical guide for SMEs, developed in partnership with ITC, has just been published to help all kinds of organizations, in particular SMEs, better understand the standard and maximize the benefits that it offers.

Handbook co-author Sebastien Humbert said water footprinting is a relatively new type of assessment compared to others such as carbon footprinting and there are numerous methodologies with varying results.

“Having been developed with the involvement of thousands of contributors from around 60 countries and 20 non-governmental organizations, ISO 14046 provides international consensus on a common language for all interested parties, and provides a framework to measure the environmental impacts resulting from their water use.”

“This handbook helps organizations prepare for and undertake a water footprint assessment using ISO 14046, through practical guidance on not only the main clauses, but also those most open to interpretation.”

ISO 14046 Environmental management – Water footprint. A practical guide for SMEs is available from your national ISO member and the ISO Store.

Ground-breaking British Standard for the ‘circular economy’ launched

BSI, the business standards company, has launched a new standard for the ‘circular economy’, BS 8001:2017: Framework for implementing the principles of the circular economy in organizations – guide.

The ‘circular economy’ is a concept which challenges organizations to re-think how their resources are managed to create financial, environmental and social benefits. BS 8001 was developed to meet these mutually beneficial goals, by providing guiding principles for organizations and individuals to consider and implement more sustainable practices. It is the first standard of its kind, both in the UK and globally.

One of the key aims of the circular economy is to keep products, components and materials at their highest utility and value at all times, in keeping with the mantra of the circular economy as being restorative and regenerative by design. BS 8001 outlines what the circular economy is and how an organization can transition from a linear to a circular, and more sustainable, day-to-day operation.

Practical implementation of the six principles of the circular economy – innovation; stewardship; collaboration; value optimizations; transparency; and “systems thinking” – is the bedrock of the standard, and step-by-step guidance on how an organization can navigate through the different stages of implementation is provided. “Systems thinking” is defined in the standard as an understanding of how organizations, individual decisions and activities interact within the wider systems they are part of.

Identifying the role of the circular economy in a particular organization, and how an organization can maximize the potential of this information, is one of the first steps outlined in BS 8001. Importantly, the standard is not intended to be prescriptive or certifiable; it is intended to be used flexibly by those which adopt it – irrespective of the size, sector, type or location of the organization. It is suitable for organizations at a nascent or more advanced stage of transition on implementing the principles of the circular economy.

The move to a ‘circular economy’ is a significant opportunity for businesses and organizations; by contributing to a resource efficient and low-carbon economy, costs and supply chain risks are reduced. Further benefits for businesses which choose to implement BS 8001 include improved resilience, new revenue streams, and enhanced corporate sustainability credentials.

Extensive input from UK businesses into the development of the standard has ensured the standard is useable in real-world scenarios, and that the language used in the document is not overly technical and accessible to those without prior knowledge of the circular economy.

David Fatscher, Head of Sustainability at BSI, said: “BS 8001 is a world first and further evidence that BSI, as the UK national standards body, is demonstrating leadership in developing knowledge solutions which address global challenges.

“Resource productivity is at the heart of the government’s new Industrial Strategy and demonstrates how standards can be considered business improvement tools which help organizations unlock the untapped potential of sustainable growth. BS 8001 was developed to enable organizations to take practical actions to realize the economic and social benefits of the circular economy.”

To support the framework, BS 8001 provides guidance around the specific issues surrounding the transition to a circular model – namely measurements, liability and insurance, logistical concerns, and materials. Guidance is also provided on specific associated business models, including leasing, the sharing economy, and remanufacturing.

Francois Souchet, Project Manager for Insight and Analysis at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, added: “This standard provides a valuable introduction to the practical action organizations can take to accelerate their transition to a circular economy.”

The following organizations and individuals were involved in the creation of BS 8001: BEIS – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy; Hampshire County Council; University of Sheffield; Marks & Spencer plc, Rolls Royce; Tata Steel, Institute for Sustainability; Amec Foster Wheeler; University College London; Green Alliance; Loughborough University; Granta Design Limited; Keep Britain Tidy; Timber Trade Federation; Waste and Resources Action Programme; Centre for Remanufacturing and Reuse; Institution of Mechanical Engineers; Innovate UK; Greater London Authority; British Coatings Federation Ltd; British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd; Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment; Centre for Sustainable Design; UK Sustainability Network for Standardization; Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Zero Waste Scotland; Eden21; Shoosmiths LLP, International Lead Association; Welsh Government; University of Surrey; Resource Association; British Glass Manufacturers Confederation; National Physical Laboratory; Scottish Government; London Waste & Recycling Board; Ellen MacArthur Foundation; Chartered Institution of Wastes Management; Construction Products Association; Bioregional; Confederation of Paper Industries Ltd; BAM Construct UK.

Standard for data protection revised to address ever-increasing threats to personal information

BSI, the business standards company, has updated its standard for data protection. BS 10012:2017 Data protection – specification for a personal information management system was developed to provide best practice guidance for leaders responsible for the management of personal information.

The revised standard specifies requirements for an organization to adopt a personal information management system (PIMS). PIMS provides a framework for maintaining and improving compliance with data protection requirements. The standard is also intended to provide clear guidance for internal and external assessors on assessing compliance with data protection requirements.

The standard is applicable for organizations of all sizes and sectors. Changes from the 2009 version of BS 10012 include a new definition of personal and sensitive data; restrictions on profiling using personal data; and new administrative requirements for data privacy officers.

Data written under a pseudonym is now specifically covered, and there are stricter requirements for consent for processing. BSI 10012 also takes into account a change in the law to cover data processors.

Implementing BS 10012 will support many organizations in their adoption of an appropriate “Information Governance” strategy. Information Governance is a set of multi-disciplinary structures, policies, procedures and processes taken to manage information. Information Governance supports an organization’s immediate and future regulatory, legal, risk, environmental and operational requirements.

Anne Hayes, Head of Governance and Resilience at BSI, said: “BS 10012 will provide organizations with structured guidance on implementing a common-sense strategy to handle personal information as securely as possible. It will also provide confidence to employees at all levels of an organization that decision-makers take the hot-button issue of data security seriously.

“Data protection remains a leading concern for organizations of all shapes and sizes – as well as the public at large. BS 10012 addresses these concerns.”

Many of the changes in the latest version of BS 10012 have been written in recognition of the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which became law on April 14, 2016. The GDPR will be directly applicable to the UK and member states on May 25, 2018.

Key organizations involved in the development of BS 10012 include Information Commissioners Office (ICO); National Association of Data Protection Officers (NADPO); Data Protection Forum; Department for Culture, Media and Sport; International Association of Privacy Professionals; Information and Records Management Society; British Computer Society; Financial Services Records Management Forum; Financial Conduct Authority; Information Security Forum.

Sludge, an added-value for a cleaner agriculture

European Standards help Europe to achieve its objectives of a circular economy by contributing to recycling and sustainability at large. Agriculture is one of the biggest European economic sector, but is still the origin of different sources of pollution. Hence, European standardization is essential for agriculture in defining tools and methods that are environmental-friendly in specific agricultural domains, such as the use of sludge, mainly sewage sludge.

Sewage sludge is the organic by-product of urban wastewater treatment, which has a lot of potential as a source of nutrients to be spread on land as a fertiliser or an organic soil improver. The sludge tends to concentrate heavy metals, poorly biodegradable trace of organic compounds, of pharmaceutical and personal care products, as well as of potentially pathogenic organisms that are present in waste waters. Therefore, it has to be sufficiently treated and carefully used before it can be applied on farmland to prevent any harmful effect on the environment and on human health. In Europe, the European Union Sewage Sludge Directive (86/278/EEC) encourages the use of sewage sludge in agriculture and regulates its use in such a way as to prevent harmful effects.

Not all European Countries use sewage sludge in agriculture. However, the production of sewage sludge in Europe is generally increasing under the impulse of European Union Directives such as the ‘Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive’ and the ‘Sewage Sludge Directive’ on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture. It is expected to approach 13 million tons of production in 2020.

The use of sewage sludge in agriculture in Europe corresponds to approximately 45 % of the amount of sludge produced (following a report from the European Commission to the European Parliament issued in 2017). Following studies, the good application of sewage provides benefits in the recycling of plant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Sludge can therefore replace chemical fertilisers.

European standardization work on sludge

At standardization level, our CEN Technical Committee CEN/TC 308 on ‘characterization and management of sludge’ is developing sampling methods, physical, chemical and biological analyses required for characterizing the sludge with a view to facilitating decisions on the choice of the treatment procedures and of the utilization.

CEN/TC 308 produced a Technical Report specifically related to agricultural uses of sludge:

CEN/TR 13097:2010
Characterization of sludges – Good practice for sludge utilisation in agriculture
This Technical Report describes good practice for the use of sludge in agriculture (where regulations allow). The use of all types of sludge should follow good practice to maximise benefits for the crops or soils, to minimise potential risks of environmental contamination and adverse impacts on plant, animal and human health, and to ensure sustainability, energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Sludge, an added-value for a cleaner agriculture

European Standards help Europe to achieve its objectives of a circular economy by contributing to recycling and sustainability at large. Agriculture is one of the biggest European economic sector, but is still the origin of different sources of pollution. Hence, European standardization is essential for agriculture in defining tools and methods that are environmental-friendly in specific agricultural domains, such as the use of sludge, mainly sewage sludge.

Sewage sludge is the organic by-product of urban wastewater treatment, which has a lot of potential as a source of nutrients to be spread on land as a fertiliser or an organic soil improver. The sludge tends to concentrate heavy metals, poorly biodegradable trace of organic compounds, of pharmaceutical and personal care products, as well as of potentially pathogenic organisms that are present in waste waters. Therefore, it has to be sufficiently treated and carefully used before it can be applied on farmland to prevent any harmful effect on the environment and on human health. In Europe, the European Union Sewage Sludge Directive (86/278/EEC) encourages the use of sewage sludge in agriculture and regulates its use in such a way as to prevent harmful effects.

Not all European Countries use sewage sludge in agriculture. However, the production of sewage sludge in Europe is generally increasing under the impulse of European Union Directives such as the ‘Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive’ and the ‘Sewage Sludge Directive’ on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture. It is expected to approach 13 million tons of production in 2020.

The use of sewage sludge in agriculture in Europe corresponds to approximately 45 % of the amount of sludge produced (following a report from the European Commission to the European Parliament issued in 2017). Following studies, the good application of sewage provides benefits in the recycling of plant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Sludge can therefore replace chemical fertilisers.

European standardization work on sludge

At standardization level, our CEN Technical Committee CEN/TC 308 on ‘characterization and management of sludge’ is developing sampling methods, physical, chemical and biological analyses required for characterizing the sludge with a view to facilitating decisions on the choice of the treatment procedures and of the utilization.

CEN/TC 308 produced a Technical Report specifically related to agricultural uses of sludge:

CEN/TR 13097:2010
Characterization of sludges – Good practice for sludge utilisation in agriculture
This Technical Report describes good practice for the use of sludge in agriculture (where regulations allow). The use of all types of sludge should follow good practice to maximise benefits for the crops or soils, to minimise potential risks of environmental contamination and adverse impacts on plant, animal and human health, and to ensure sustainability, energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.