The May 2010 edition of ISO Focus+ – the magazine of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) – explores the theme of how standards can help to preserve biodiversity in two main sectors: fisheries and forestry.
The use of fish and wood products continues to grow and are fast becoming the world's most traded commodities in their respective fields. At the same time, both sectors, crucial to biodiversity, are facing the pressing threat of climate change.
The May issue of ISO Focus+ highlights the contribution ISO standards can make to supporting the three pillars of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental – in the forestry, fisheries and aquaculture sectors. A selection of articles show how ISO standards contribute to harmonizing test methods in timber structures, adapting high-tech equipment to tractors and machinery for forestry, thus helping to protecting operators. ISO's new work on standards for the growing sector aquaculture are also described.
Bambang Setiadi, the new Chair of the ISO Committee on developing country matters (ISO/DEVCO) underlines in his Comment article for the May issue: "ISO standards for the more traditional activities of wood products and for the newer enterprise of aquaculture help to ensure business efficiency balanced by the intelligent and responsible use of resources".
ISO's standards are powerful tools for taking action and the May issue showcases stories from companies benefiting from ISO standards, such as a Namibian fish processor and a large Brazilian company in the paperboard market implementing management systems standards for quality and environmental or food safety as well as occupational health and safety.
The issue also features an exclusive interview with Pieter Burghout, CEO of the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) highlighting the benefits of ISO standards: "International Standards generally are well recognized worldwide as providing proven industry best practice solutions to building and construction methodologies.
"In many countries, such as New Zealand, International Standards are helping put detail to otherwise non-prescriptive performance-based building codes. International Standards encourage economic growth by helping to standardize across country borders certain industry practice – particularly in the area of quality and safety."
The magazine also includes articles on:
- The use of ISO 9001, the quality management standard, by a major French examination center
- How using International Standards and participating in their development have helped a Swedish SME manufacturer of lifejackets establish a worldwide market.
