Ai Group celebrated World Standards Day this week by presenting awards to outstanding achievers.
Richard Horton, of Rheem, and Leon Bogers, of Rinnai, were jointly named winners of the Ai Group Standards Development Award while Peter Aldridge, of Aldridge Electrical Industries, received the Ai Group Standards Service Award in recognition of his years of service in standards development.
Mr Horton and Mr Bogers were recognised for their significant contribution to the industry, by representing Ai Group on Standards Australia technical committees, positively influencing those involved in standards development and supporting engagement with the next generation of the industry’s professionals.
“Their commitment to going the extra mile is commendable,” Ai Group Head of Industry Development and Policy Louise McGrath, who is standing for election to the Board of Standards Australia, said.
“They are accessible to representatives and Ai Group members and maintain regular communication to relevant stakeholders.”
World Standards Day, celebrated on October 14, highlights the essential role standards play in promoting innovation, ensuring product quality and enhancing safety.
In a speech during the awards presentation, Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said standards and regulation were like an orchestra in that they “only work well when they are harmonised”.
“Ai Group supports our members with regulatory advocacy and involvement in standards development for three key reasons: standards supported by regulation are good for the country, good for business and good for the consumer,” Mr Willox said.
“The alignment of product regulations and standards is crucial.
“It facilitates trade, promotes economic growth and ensures consumers receive high-quality, safe products.
“We urge our members involved in regulatory advocacy and standards development to continue their excellent work.
“Your efforts are vital in driving these positive changes and ensuring we maintain a robust and effective standards framework that benefits everyone.”
Ms McGrath, pictured below, said Ai Group was the leading contributor to the development of standards in Australia.
“We have several hundred representatives sitting on Standards Australia technical committees, covering diverse topics from child restraints to artificial intelligence,” she said.
“Many representatives also sit on the equivalent International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) committees to ensure Australia’s voice is heard.
“More than 20 of our representatives also chair the committees they sit on, testimony to the expertise they hold and the respect they are held in.”
October 14 was specifically chosen to mark World Standards Day as it was on this date, in 1946, when delegates from 25 countries first gathered in London and decided to create an international organisation focused on facilitating standardisation.
Even though ISO was formed the following year, it wasn't until 1970 that the first World Standards Day was celebrated.
Wendy Larter is Communications Manager at the Australian Industry Group. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a reporter, features writer, contributor and sub-editor for newspapers and magazines including The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and Metro, the News of the World, The Times and Elle in the UK.
