From No. 8 wire to bungy jumping – World Standards Day

From No. 8 wire to bungy jumping – World Standards Day 14 October

Did you know that the first New Zealand standard developed was for No. 8 wire? And that New Zealand was the first country in the world to establish a standard for bungy jumping?

NZSS 143 Galvanized (Zinc-coated) Steel Fencing-wire otherwise known as No. 8 wire was issued in 1938 and, in 1990, Standards New Zealand published AS/NZS 5848 Code of practice for bungy jumping. The standard has been updated twice since then and is now used in Australia as well.

Acting Chief Executive of Standards New Zealand, Michelle Wessing, said to celebrate World Standards Day on 14 October, Standards New Zealand is highlighting the breadth and depth of the sectors that are covered by standards and standardisation.

‘While there is awareness of our building, electrical, gas, and fire protection standards, people may not be so familiar with other sectors in which standards feature. For example, we have standards to help identify dog breeds; to specify the physical properties of sunglasses; to help prevent violence in families; to standardise the size of pantyhose; and even one that sets out best practice for storing horse radish.

‘We also have standards for IT cyber security, risk management, measuring water footprint, children’s car seats, and the safe transport of dangerous goods.’

Michelle Wessing said World Standards Day provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the benefits that standards bring to our everyday lives, the market economy, and to the smooth running of public affairs, and to also acknowledge the thousands of experts around the world who develop standards for the benefit of society.

Read about some more interesting standards on the Standards New Zealand website http://www.standards.co.nz/about-us/world-standards-day/

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