Standards Alliance Phase II

Events

Medical Devices

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

Infrastructure

Energy

Regional Standard Body and Government Support

Medical Devices

Regulatory Retina Logo
All Medical Device trainings available on the Interamerican Coalition website.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

AFRICA WEBINAR #2
AFRICA WEBINAR #2: ANSI/AWWA G400 – UTILITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND G200 – DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT
Implementer
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Date
January 10-11, 2023
Region
Africa
Country
Lesotho, Malawi, and Zambia
Description
The webinar further discussed the benefits of the use of standards and described best practices for the implementation of 14 AWWA Utility Management Standards to relevant utility management stakeholders across Lesotho, Malawi, and Zambia. Two follow up calls were conducted with participants to review materials, answer questions, and complete homework on how to implement the standards in their utilities. Forty representatives attended from 12 water and wastewater utility organizations from Lesotho, Zambia, and Malawi. All attendees were provided with pdf versions of third and fourth ANSI/AWWA Standards to be covered in the workshop series (ANSI/AWWA G520 – Wastewater Collection Systems Operation and Management, and ANSI/AWWA G510 – Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Management).
India Workshop #4
India Workshop #4: ANSI/AWWA G400 – Utility Management System and G200 – Distribution Systems Operation and Management
Implementer
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Date
December 5-6, 2022
Region
Indo-Pacific
Country
India
Description
The final of the four-part workshop that introduced the benefits of the use of standards and described best practices for the implementation of 14 AWWA Utility Management Standards to relevant utility management stakeholders in India was held in-person in Varanasi, India. It included 17 participants from 10 utilities. The workshop was held in conjunction AWWA India’s annual conference, which hosted over 300 water professionals from across the public and private sector in India.
Water Treatment Chemicals
Webinar on NSF/ANSI/CAN 60: Water Treatment Chemicals – Health Effects
Implementer
NSF International
Date
October 25, 2022
Country
Brazil
Description
Marcos Bensoussan, Director - LATAM, Water Division at NSF International, presented the regulatory requirements required in several countries for drinking water treatment chemicals. Participants learned about NSF/ANSI/CAN 60: Water Treatment Chemicals – Health Effects.
Morocco Workshops
Morocco Workshops on NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61
Implementer
NSF International
Date
October 19-20, 2022
Country
Morocco
Description
NSF’s SA2 Morocco workshops were identified by the Moroccan Ministry of Health (MoH) as complementing the Morocco National Water Committee’s initiatives and efforts. Following a formal partnership, in-person training on NSF/ANSI Standard 60 and NSF/ANSI Standard 61 was delivered in collaboration with the MoH at their offices in Rabat. NSF staff were on-site to provide a 2-day training on the standards. Notably, all stakeholders/members of the National Water Committee participated in the training.
India Webinar #3
India Webinar #3: ANSI/AWWA G400 – Utility Management System and G200 – Distribution Systems Operation and Management
Implementer
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Date
October 18, 2022
Country
India
Description
The webinar continued to introduce the benefits of the use of standards and describe best practices for the implementation of 14 AWWA Utility Management Standards to relevant utility management stakeholders in India. Two follow up calls were conducted with participants to review materials and answer questions.
Africa Webinar #1
Africa Webinar #1: ANSI/AWWA G400 – Utility Management System and G200 – Distribution Systems Operation and Management
Implementer
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Date
September 7-8, 2022
Country
Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia
Description
The webinar introduced the benefits of the use of standards and describes best practices for the implementation of 14 AWWA Utility Management Standards to relevant utility management stakeholders across Lesotho, Malawi, and Zambia. Two follow up calls were conducted with participants to review materials and answer questions.
India Webinar #2
India Webinar #2: ANSI/AWWA G400 – Utility Management System and G200 – Distribution Systems Operation and Management
Implementer
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Date
July 20-21, 2022
Country
India
Description
The webinar continues to introduce the benefits of the use of standards and describe best practices for the implementation of 14 AWWA Utility Management Standards to relevant utility management stakeholders in India. Two follow up calls were conducted with participants to review materials and answer questions.
Drinking Water System Components
Webinar on NSF/ANSI/CAN 61: Drinking Water System Components - Health Effects
Implementer
NSF International
Date
June 28, 2022
Country
Brazil
Description
This webinar presented on the objectives of the NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 standard: Drinking Water System Components - Health Effects. This standard ensures that materials and equipment that are being used in water treatment do not alter water quality and do not pose a health risk, as recommended by the new Brazilian Ordinance GM/MS No. 888.
India Webinar #1
India Webinar #1: ANSI/AWWA G400 – Utility Management System and G200 – Distribution Systems Operation and Management
Implementer
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Date
April 27-28, 2022
Region
Indo-Pacific
Country
India
Description
The webinar introduced the benefits of the use of standards and describes best practices for the implementation of 14 AWWA Utility Management Standards to relevant utility management stakeholders in India. Two follow up calls were conducted with participants to review materials and answer questions.
BSN and IAPMO Technical Committee
BSN and IAPMO Technical Committee 77-02 Meetings
Implementer
The International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
Date
January – July 2022
Country
Indonesia
Description
BSN (Indonesia National Standard Body) and IAPMO hosted a 16 virtual, in-person and hybrid meetings of Technical Committee 77-02 January- July 2022 2022 per BSN’s standard development process. As a result of these meetings, a new standard for faucets (SNI 122-2022) was developed and adopted by BSN (Indonesia’s National Standard Body) on July 18, 2022.

Infrastructure

Enhancing Quality Infrastructure
Enhancing Quality Infrastructure Through Modern Reinforced Concrete Building Codes and Standards
Implementer
ACI
Date
August 24, 2022
Region
Africa
Description
This workshop provided an opportunity for building code standards and construction industry experts from Africa and the U.S. to learn about concrete standards and share international best practices for adopting standards that support concrete structural design and growth in Africa. In addition, the event introduced and built awareness of ACI global culture, products, and services that can be adapted to the African terrain. More than 125 participants representing various agencies in Africa and the U.S. attended the workshop
Read the press release.

Energy

West African Petroleum Standards Workshop
West African Petroleum Standards Workshop
Implementer
ASTM International (ASTM) and American Petroleum Institute (API)
Date
March 20-23, 2023
Region
Africa
Country
Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cote D’Ivoire
Description
This workshop was a continuation of capacity-building activities under ASTM’s project. Project focal points, members of the national petroleum committee in Senegal, and other relevant oil and gas sector representatives came together to discuss applicable ASTM and API standards and testing protocols in a neutral forum. The event also included site visits to SAR Refinery—Senegal’s primary downstream refinery—and Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) Laboratory in Dakar, where the project focal points inspected various testing equipment, witnessed practical demonstrations, and spoke with lab technicians about testing method challenges for petroleum products.

The project focal points also shared presentations on the realized benefits of the program to date, and discussed the current state of the petroleum industry in each country

.
Read the press release.
ECOWAS Bioethanol Workshop in Togo
ECOWAS Bioethanol Workshop in Togo
Implementer
Pivot Clean Energy
Date
March 17-18, 2022, and March 21-22, 2022
Country
Togo and the Gambia
Description
The workshop was designed to promote the concept of clean cooking with bioethanol cookstoves and fuels as sustainable alternatives to traditional biomass (fossil fuels)—a predominant energy source in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. The overall objective was twofold: to provide practical knowledge on bioethanol fuels, and to discuss how to address the lack of access to clean cooking solutions—an issue more than 4 billion people around the world face on a regular basis.

The workshop provided an avenue for stakeholders to meet and discuss a way forward for promoting bioethanol fuels and establishing practical commitments in Togo and the Gambia. It highlighted the importance of policy, standards development, trade implications, practical implementation, and the stakeholders that are vital participants in these processes. The event enabled U.S. and African experts to share experiences, industry best practices, and international standards for furthering bioethanol fuel use in both countries.

Read the press release.
ARSO webinar Series on Ethanol Standards for Clean Cooking
ARSO webinar Series on Ethanol Standards for Clean Cooking
Workshop 1: Introduction to Bioethanol as a Clean Cooking Fuel
Implementer
Pivot Clean Energy
Date
May 12, 2022
Region
Africa
Description
The webinar is part of a five-session virtual training series launched to provide African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) members with capacity-building support on bioethanol for household energy, specifically clean cooking fuel. The first session centered on exploring bioethanol as an alternative clean cooking fuel: It provided the necessary background to introduce standards and policies around bioethanol in future webinars; highlighted the benefits of bioethanol for multiple sectors including agriculture, sustainable energy, and the environment; and discussed potential impacts on climate change, gender, health, and economic issues. The webinar also served as an opportunity for U.S. experts in the bioethanol industry to share their experiences and provide guidance on developing this new market segment in sub-Saharan Africa.
Read the press release.
Workshop 2: Adjacent Sector Impacts through Transitions to Bioethanol as a Clean Cooking Fuel
Implementer
Pivot Clean Energy
Date
June 16, 2022
Region
Africa
Description
This webinar provided a deeper examination of the adjacent sectors that are positively impacted through a transition from solid or fossil fuels to bioethanol for cooking. The webinar looked specifically at the considerations within health, gender, environment, climate, and economic sectors. This discussion helped fortify the case for supporting a transition to bioethanol clean cooking businesses and provided context for the consequent webinars that will address the standards and policy considerations for developing this market segment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Speakers expanded on:
  • Positive social impacts within health, gender, and economic sectors
  • Broader environmental and climate benefits that result through transitions to clean fuels
Workshop 3: Policy, Trade, and Market Opportunities for Bioethanol as a Clean Cooking Fuel
Implementer
Pivot Clean Energy
Date
August 31, 2022
Region
Africa
Description
This was the third in a five-part virtual training series focusing on existing international standards, regulations, and best practices for bioethanol fuels and their usage in Africa. The event served to raise awareness of relevant international bioethanol standards and practical implementation considerations for the adoption of these standards in African markets, with a goal of helping to enable the emerging bioethanol market. In sub-Saharan Africa, 80% of the population cooks with solid or fossil fuels (wood, charcoal, coal, kerosene). The region’s reliance on traditional biomass and solid fuels has substantial negative effects on the public health. Approximately 29 representatives from various agencies from Africa and the U.S. attended.
Read the press release.
Workshop 4: Harmonized Standards for Clean Cookstoves and Bioethanol as a Clean Cooking Fuel
Implementer
Pivot Clean Energy
Date
November 9, 2022
Region
Africa
Description
The webinar provided a discussion on the importance of adopting appropriate standards to work in tandem with new or existing policies that support the development of bioethanol cooking business. This discussion helped fortify the case for backing a transition to bioethanol-clean cooking businesses and provide context for the final webinar, which will address the development of this market segment in Sub-Saharan Africa and ways to facilitate growth in this sector of the economy. Speakers expanded on:
  • The importance of standards and quality control, as well as the role organizations like ASTM International and the International Standards Organization (ISO) can play in establishing harmonized standards
  • A look at current standards for bioethanol cookstoves and cooking fuel and national action that can be taken to adopt or adapt appropriate standards.
Workshop 5: Implementation of Bioethanol Fuel and Clean Cookstoves Businesses
Implementer
Pivot Clean Energy
Date
February 24, 2023
Region
Africa
Description
The final webinar on bioethanol standards focused on raising awareness about the implementation processes for establishing bioethanol clean cooking businesses, business model considerations, and financing opportunities (i.e. carbon financing) that can help unlocking this new market segment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Discussions explored practical steps for supporting the development of emerging bioethanol-clean cooking enterprises within a country context, and tied together information from previous webinars to show the holistic potential for this market opportunity in the Sub-Saharan African economy.
Read the press release.
Workshop on Petroleum Standards
Workshop on Petroleum Standards
Implementer
ASTM International and The American Petroleum Institute (API)
Date
March 1-3, 2022
Country
Ghana
Description
This workshop provided an opportunity for petroleum standards experts from West Africa and the United States to share international best practices for gasoline, diesel, and engine oil standards and certification schemes. The three-day workshop built awareness and understanding of relevant international standards for petroleum quality, safety, and management systems. More than 16 participants representing various agencies from West Africa and the U.S. attended.
Read the press release.
West African Petroleum Standards
West African Petroleum Standards
Implementer
ASTM International & The American Petroleum Institute (API)
Date
July 3-8, 2022
Country
Nigeria
Description
In July 2022, ASTM held a four-day workshop in coordination with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) which included a visit to SON’s laboratory complex, as well as a tour of OVHEM Lab and SGS Independent Lab. The private sector lab tours included demonstrations of relevant test methods and where followed up by a detail discussion of ASTM test methods, WTO training, Introduction to ASTM standards development process, and introduction of planning for U.S. Study Tour.

The workshops:

  • Highlight the benefits of harmonized standards.
  • Improve direct access to shaping the content of standards through participation in ASTM/API activities.
  • Introduce, share examples, and make suggestions, on how to implement and make use of the World Trade Organization technical barriers to trade agreement decisions and principles related to international standards, good regulatory practice and national quality infrastructure.
  • Review of relevant ASTM standards and adaptation to national or regional standards.

Regional Standard Body and Government Support

ARSO webinar Series on Ethanol Standards for Clean Cooking
ARSO Cosmetics Webinar Training series (Session 1-7)
Implementer
Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) & African Organisation For Standardisation (ARSO)
Date
2021-2023
Region
Africa
Description
Personal Care Product Council (PCPC) hosted six webinars in the ongoing cosmetics training series developed to support the harmonization of African personal care and cosmetics standards. These online trainings included events on cosmetics frameworks and enforcement strategies, the importance of international standards, and case studies from South Africa and Saudi Arabia on cosmetics enforcement and implementation. These activities target participants in ARSO Technical Committee 40 (TC40) on cosmetics. The trainings continue to support knowledge sharing on best practices for the development of an African standards framework for cosmetics that will support consumer and industry interests.
Workshop 1:

February 26, 2021

Introduction to Best Practices: Participants were able to a gain a brief introduction to the cosmetics sector and an overview of the web series.

Workshop 2:

April 16, 2021

Implementation of cosmetics frameworks: A Case Study from South Africa: The second webinar was held on April 16, 2021. It focused on international best practices for cosmetics standardization, and included ARSO technical committee members as well as global private sector stakeholders. The event detailed existing cosmetics frameworks and enforcement strategies implemented by governments, regulatory entities, and standardization bodies. This included a case study describing South Africa's approach to cosmetics standards frameworks. The training drew over 67 participants.

Read the press release.
Workshop 3: International Standards in the Cosmetics Sector

May 20, 2021

The third webinar was held on May 20, 2021 and attracted 45 participants. This event laid an important foundation discussing international best practices for standards development and the importance of using harmonized, international standards related to the cosmetics sector.

Read the press release.
Workshop 4: International Standards in the Cosmetics Sector

July 7, 2021

Implementation of cosmetic frameworks with a focus on GSO and Saudi Arabian case studies: The forth webinar was held July 7, 2021 and included 56 participants. The webinar provided a thorough overview of the suggested framework for cosmetics standards and enforcement using a case study from Saudi Arabia and the GCC Standards Organization (GSO).

Workshop 5: Panel Discussion on Best Practices for Cosmetics

November 23, 2021

The fifth workshop on November 23, 2021 included a thorough review of existing international standards, best practices, safety requirements, and in-market testing for the cosmetics sector. The Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO) further collaborated with ARSO by sharing some of its experiences on implementation of a recent cosmetics standard, GSO 1943/2021.

Read the press release.
Workshop 6: Good Manufacturing Practices for Cosmetics

May 9, 2022

The sixth session of the webinar series centered on good manufacturing practices for the cosmetics sector and served as an opportunity for leaders in the cosmetics industry to meet and discuss the potential next steps for policy, regulatory frameworks, and regional harmonization of cosmetic standards in Africa. The webinar concluded with a Q&A session and in-depth panel discussion that explored the various ways cosmetics standardization and regulatory frameworks could be harmonized. As part of the Q&A session, participants had the opportunity to engage with the speakers on how SMEs in Africa could benefit from harmonized frameworks that incorporate two paths – horizontal and vertical approaches – for companies that are not yet able to meet the more stringent requirements.

Read the press release.
Workshop 7: Labeling Practices for Cosmetics Standards

February 28, 2023

The final webinar on cosmetics standards focused on existing cosmetics frameworks, enforcement strategies, regulatory entities, and standardization bodies, with emphasis on the different labeling requirements in the United States, European Union, and various regions in Africa. More than 70 participants attended the webinar, including ARSO technical committee members and global private-sector stakeholders. U.S. and EU industry representatives from the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), Procter & Gamble (P&G), and Cosmetics Europe participated in the webinar and shared their perspectives on labeling requirements for cosmetics in the U.S., EU, and Africa.

Read the press release.
More than 60 participants representing national standards bodies, testing labs, universities, and other government agencies from various parts of Africa and the U.S. attended the webinars.
Good Regulatory Practices
Good Regulatory Practices for Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) Teams in Government Ministries Training Series
Implementer
Business Regulatory Review Agency (BBRA)
Date
September – October 2020
Country
Zambia
Project theme
Regional Standard Body and Government Support
Description
The workshop series targeting 92 government officials from 23 Zambian ministries, took place virtually with the first and second cohort of officials attending trainings on September 21 – October 2, 2020 and the third and fourth group of officials attending on October 13 – 23, 2020. The trainings were designed to promote best practices in the development of RIA reports, a decision-making tool that's used to appraise the potential impacts of new and existing regulations or policy options on the business environment and foreign investments. The workshops also provided systematic training on the key steps for performing RIA and highlighted training strategies for participants to use as they lead their individual ministries and colleagues in performing RIAs.

The training featured both live presentations via WebEx and pre-recorded videos and reading materials, which were provided by RIA experts Nathan Frey of RSS Group, Jason Ighani of Kite Global, and Brandon de Bruhl of the University of Southern California. Targeted group exercises provided hands on guidance and opportunities to critically analyze existing RIA reports in Zambia. These sessions emphasized practical steps on how to write and structure a RIA report, gather qualitative and quantitative data from all relevant stakeholders, conduct consultations, and effectively utilize cost-benefit and cost-effective analysis.