39th World Standards Day to Focus on Intelligent, Sustainable Buildings
September 29, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
Intelligent and sustainable buildings is the theme of World Standards Day, slated for Oct. 14.
The day recognizes the efforts of the experts worldwide who collaborate within the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to develop voluntary international standards that facilitate trade, spread knowledge and disseminate technological advances, the organizations said.
With a world population that has more than doubled since 1950 and is steadily moving into urban areas, the building and construction industry has grown into one of the largest industry sectors with consequences for all three dimensions of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental, according to IEC, ISO and ITU.
According to the organizations, energy efficiency, safety, security and communication are issues that are crucial for the construction sector.
Sustainability principles combined with information and communication technology (ICT) will work to ensure that commercial, government and residential buildings meet these requirements, the organizations said.
The construction sector relies increasingly on electronic devices that link to networks distributing and using digital information and media. International standards developed by IEC, ISO and ITU, based on international consensus, aim to provide the tools to apply and implement sustainability principles and ICT connectivity efficiently and effectively on a global scale.
"International consensus on standards for climate change mitigation, energy saving, environmental terminology, environmental performance, environmental declaration of building products, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission accounting and verification provides a firm foundation for designers and architects, engineers, owners and government authorities to develop sustainable buildings," representatives from the three organizations said.
"International standards from IEC, ISO and ITU applicable to today's buildings increase production efficiency, optimize resources, disseminate knowledge, facilitate free trade and fair competition and simplify the design and planning of buildings."
The organizations cited the following additional benefits:
- Competitively priced products and construction work.
- Higher quality and safety.
- Lower exploitation costs.
- Reduced accidents.
- Rapid dissemination of new technologies for an improved quality of life for the user and occupants of buildings.
"International standards help to ensure not only basic quality and safety requirements, but also the incorporation of new technologies for the construction and operation of intelligent and sustainable buildings," the organizations said.
Source: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).