Celebrating World Standards Day and World Standards Week with Global Partners

Each year, standards development organizations around the world celebrate World Standards Day and World Standards Week, recognizing the impact standards play in helping to make our world safer and more sustainable, while also honoring the collaborative efforts of experts who contribute to standards development. 

World Standards Day 2021

World Standards Day, held each year on Oct. 14, is led by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This year's theme was “Shared Vision for a Better World,” with a focus on the role international standards play in helping to achieve the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.

There is no better way to celebrate World Standards Day than to just take some time to think about all the things in our lives that are standardized, and how much standards have made our lives safer.”
— Phil Piqueira, vice president of Global Standards for Underwriters Laboratories

In honor of World Standards Day, Underwriters Laboratories took part in several virtual events. On Oct. 14, Vice President of Global Standards Phil Piqueira delivered a presentation during a webinar hosted by the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality of Vietnam (STAMEQ). Phil outlined the accomplishments Underwriters Laboratories and STAMEQ have been able to achieve through their collaborative partnership, such as the adoption of UL 2272, the Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices in Vietnam. In closing, Phil said, “There is no better way to celebrate World Standards Day than to just take some time to think about all the things in our lives that are standardized, and how much standards have made our lives safer.”

Director of International Standards Sonya Bird also celebrated with UL Standards partner organizations via two virtual webinars. On Oct. 14, Sonya presented to the Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) on how standards help to support a sustainable economy. Sonya addressed current challenges facing businesses and the economy, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, climate change and the depletion of natural resources, and outlined the need for standards to help mitigate uncertainty and guide technological innovation.

On Oct. 15, Sonya presented at the Sustainable Development Standards Conference organized by the Shenzhen Institute of Standards and Technology and Shenzhen Standards Promotion Council in Shenzhen, China. In her presentation, Sonya discussed standards solutions for addressing risks in the digitalization era, such as security requirements for connected appliances and sustainability requirements for recycling products and systems.

World Standards Week 2021

World Standards Week, also celebrated each fall, is led by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This year, World Standards Week is being held from Oct. 25 to Oct. 29 with a range of virtual events incorporating video, networking, chat rooms, and dialogue between presenters and attendees. 

On Oct. 28, Senior Project Manager Casey Granata delivered a presentation on best practices and methodologies for measuring the impact of standards on health and safety. Casey’s presentation focused on the use of data to measure the impact of published standards. Additionally, David Wroth, director of data science, moderated a panel discussion with participation from Casey and other standards professionals.