The water challenge – How ISO standards help - 25 January, 2012.
ISO’s solutions for addressing vital global water challenges are the subject of a new brochure, ISO & water.
The four-page document provides a concise overview of International
Standards available and how they can help.
Although essential for life, water supplies are burdened by drought,
water shortages, climate change, contamination and pollution, the requirements
of large cities, intensive irrigation and a growing population with higher
standards of living. Water challenges cut across boundaries and require a
global response.
ISO standards offer harmonized technology, terminology and best
practice, so that countries sharing the same water resources can work together
efficiently and effectively. They are powerful tools for sharing proven global
solutions with all regions of the world.
The new brochure underlines the benefits of ISO’s consensus-based
approach, and outlines ISO’s water solutions for good business practice,
management of resources, risk assessment, metrics and infrastructure. It looks
at how ISO water standards can facilitate sustainable water management and
increase water potential, helping alleviate water scarcity and contributing to
achieving the UN’s Millennium Developing Goals.
Of ISO’s more than 19 000 International Standards, over 550 relate
specifically to water. They tackle issues like service management of drinking
and wastewater systems, water supply during crisis situations, irrigation,
quality and conservation (e.g. hydrometry, quality sampling, water footprint)
and infrastructure (e.g. pipes, valves, metering).
ISO works closely with key stakeholders in the water field to ensure
the relevance and market uptake of its standards. ISO’s multi-stakeholder
approach consolidates contributions from industry, government, research,
academia, international organizations and NGOs. Some of the organizations
contributing to ISO’s water standards include the World Health Organization,
the World Meteorological Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization,
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the International
Water Association, Consumers International, among many others.
Because of the important contribution that International Standards can
make to addressing this vital and global challenge, water has become one of
ISO’s strategic priorities. A recent ISO task force investigated areas where
standardization could help and issued a set of recommendations for future work.
Find out more on ISO & water.
ISO & water,
published in English and French, is available free of charge from the ISO
Central Secretariat through the ISO Store or by
contacting the Marketing, Communication & Information department (see
right-hand column). It can also be obtained from ISO national member institutes
(see the complete list with contact
details). The brochure can also be downloaded as a PDF file free of
charge from the ISO Website.
Source: www.iso.org
January 25, 2012.