COVID-19: National Resources

MEMBER RESOURCES

ASI, AUSTRIA

Austrian Standards International has created a landing page that offers information on relevant standards and related topics (in German – also available in English). It gives free-of-charge access (download or read-only) to the relevant European standards and to the respective available ISO and IEC standards. Guidance documents, links to offers from other NSBs and FAQs as well as webinars on COVID-19-related issues complement the information package which is regularly updated.

NBN, BELGIUM

NBN has created a web page where Belgian stakeholders can request access to a collection of standards for face masks and personal protective equipment. Via our myNBN platform, organisations can quickly get access to this collection of important standards.
Visit www.nbn.be/nl/nieuwsberichten/gratis-normen-voor-mondmaskers to request your access.

IBNORCA, BOLIVIA

The Bolivian Institute for Standardization and Quality (IBNORCA) has made available to society, free of charge, technical standards supporting the fight against the COVID–19 pandemic. In total, 5 different collections of more than 50 free technical standards can be viewed on IBNORCA’s virtual store both in English and Spanish. Visit www.ibnorca.org/tienda.php#promociones for more information.

BOBS, BOTSWANA

The Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) put the following initiatives in place:

1. Development of a standard for alcohol-based hand sanitizer, to respond to increased demand for this product in Botswana. The standard is a compulsory specification and it’s offered for free to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The uptake of the standard is thus far remarkable and has indirectly contributed to more visibility and awareness of BOBS.
2. Free testing for alcohol-based hand sanitizers for SMEs. The demand for this service has been overwhelming.
3. BOBS is also strongly engaged in assisting Botswana’s health sector, especially the Ministry of Health and Wellness and its associated organisations such as the National Public Health Laboratory, providing calibration services for equipment such as Biological Safety Cabinets, PCR Clean Benches, clinical thermometers and pipettes which are critical in COVID-19 testing processes. BOBS shall continue to assist in any other related services when the need arises.

ABNT, BRAZIL

The Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT), has made available, free of charge to society, the technical standards related to the manufacture, import and acquisition of medical devices identified as priorities for use in health services, as well as the standards for pulmonary ventilators and some other products.
In total, 32 free technical standards can be viewed in full directly from the ABNT Virtual Store, at ABNTCatálogo.

SCC, CANADA

Many Standards Development Organizations are providing access to essential standards to assist companies and manufacturers as they switch production lines or develop new products to respond to the global demand for medical equipment and to deal with the pressures of business continuity and crisis management related to the COVID-19 pandemic. SCC has compiled this information as a reference guide for government and industry.

SAC, CHINA

SAC has created a web page where stakeholders can get access to the standards information about epidemic prevention, including the Chinese national standards list of epidemic prevention products, comparison information of Chinese and foreign standards related to epidemic prevention, list of Chinese national standards in English version related to epidemic prevention, and so on. Visit www.sac.gov.cn/sacen/FAC for more information.

ICONTEC, COLOMBIA

In order to help people, governments and enterprises overcome this challenging period, ICONTEC is providing free access to more than 80 standards related to medical equipment, biosafety, business continuity, personal protective equipment and disinfection protocols and test methods. Visit www.icontec.org/nuestro-proposito-es-dejar-una-huella-de-confianza-en-cada-una-de-nuestras-acciones-2/ for more information.

INTECO, COSTA RICA

We have experienced the impact of the pandemic and drastic measures have been taken to prevent the massive spread of the virus and contribute to the health of the world population. Companies are feeling the impact on their work dynamics and facing substantial risks for the continuity of their business.
INTECO, as the National Standards Body, supports Costa Rica and its organizations by providing free standards and technical specifications to ensure business continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as requirements and specifications to produce crucial medical supplies to protect the population from the virus.
These resources are accessible through INTECO’s Web site.

EOS, EGYPT

EOS issued a series of standards in the field of respiratory equipment and supplies that are used by medical personnel or individuals to counter the COVID-19 emergency.

AFNOR, FRANCE

AFNOR has taken the initiative of drawing on the collective wisdom of leading experts to produce a reference document proposing the requirements that should be satisfied when making new protective masks. Version 1.0 of the document, entitled AFNOR Spec – Barrier masks, can be downloaded free of charge. Read more.

DIN, GERMANY

DIN is providing free access to a number of German, European and International Standards on medical devices and personal protective equipment. This is primarily intended to help companies who wish to quickly convert their production lines to make the medical equipment that is so urgently needed in the battle against COVID-19. DIN is offering free advisory services (such as webinars on the subject) to deal with queries relating to the application of these standards. And on the DIN.ONE dialogue platform, experts are ready to answer new users’ questions. You can find out more about what DIN is doing to help in the current crisis at www.din.de/go/corona.

BSN, INDONESIA

BSN conducted some activities related to standardization to support Indonesia Government in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Some activities by providing:

• Guideline/Health Protocol related to COVID 19.
• Public Awareness about Covid-19 through social media (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook)
• full access to Indonesian National Standards (SNI) available in read only and flipbook format) such as mask, medical gloves, ventilators, tissue and hospital laundry, electro medical equipment, laboratory management systems and medical devices, glasses, hands and floors sanitizer, medical devices sterilization and others related to this virus crisis
• free access on ISO standards related to COVID-19
• BSN also conducts webinars related to measure of COVID-19 from standardization perspective such as testing method, online transaction, smart city, food safety, risk management and business continuity management, etc.
• For more information, please visit BSN website.

BIS, INDIA

In order to support the Government and community, amidst COVID-19 pandemic, in responding to and managing the situation, BIS has identified some of the key Indian standards on PPEs and medical equipment and made these standards available on BIS website for public view and download. These standards are crucial in ensuring personal protection of healthcare workers and individuals, maintaining personal hygiene, monitoring human health and in ensuring performance of critical medical equipments.  All the measures taken by BIS to tackle COVID-19 Pandemic are available at bis.gov.in/.

SII, ISRAEL

The Standards Institution of Israel (SII) has made available, free of charge, the technical standards related to the relevant products that were identified as supporting the fight against the COVID–19 pandemic. Some examples: standards for pulmonary ventilators, for face masks and personal protective equipment as well as standards that deal with the pressures of business continuity and crisis management.  Find out more at: www.sii.org.il

UNI, ITALY

On 18 March 2020 UNI made 14 standards about protective and medical products freely available from his website (later updated with some more documents according to CEN and ISO inputs). The decision was taken to help Regione Lombardia and other local government in the most affected Bergamo area to improve their procurement calls, and to help industries (basically textile and garments) to change their production lines to manufacture face masks intended to limit the transmission of infective agents.

LVS, LATVIA

In order to support entrepreneurs and organizations, LVS has created a digital service that provides access to COVID-19 related international and European standards for free. LVS also published information materials from other countries, reporting about the international experience in the fight against COVID-19. www.lvs.lv

DSM, MALAYSIA

in response to the COVID-19 situation, the Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM) is providing free access to Malaysian standards (MS) that are related to providing guidance in management of the pandemic. These standards are selected based on Malaysia’s situation and comparison with our counterparts from all over the world including the international standards organisations such as ISO and IEC.
The standards might be useful for users to address issues or as proactive measures in managing the effect of the pandemic. Find out more on DSM’s web site.

IMANOR, MOROCCO

In order to contribute to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, IMANOR, in conjunction with its relevant stakeholders, has drafted and published standards covering the following protective equipment:

• NM/ST 21.5.200: Nonwoven protective fabric face masks
• NM/ST 21.5.201: Reusable protective fabric face masks
• NM/ST 21.5.204: Protective visors

IMANOR has also put in place three certification schemes relating to the products covered in the aforementioned standards. Approximately one hundred and fifty companies are already certified in accordance with these standards, and around one hundred more have commenced the certification process.
The importance of standards and certification, and their role in consumer protection and the manufacturing of quality products that are fit for purpose, has recently received extensive media coverage in Morocco and been brought to the attention of the public by various means.
The technical specifications, up-to-date lists of companies that have certified the protective equipment they produce, and other relevant information, are accessible on the following Web pages:  Protective face masks | Protective visors

NEN, NETHERLANDS

NEN created a new type of document, the NEN-spec. These are freely available documents with recommendations, created with experts trough a fast track procedure. For example for non-medical mouth masks. A web page has been created, especially aimed at COVID-19, where all new developments are posted.
On the NEN Connect platform users can access a number of Dutch, European and International Standards on medical devices, risk management and personal protective equipment. More information about all NEN’s activities, like webinars or animation videos, can be found at www.nen.nl/covid19.

INACAL, PERU

INACAL has made available, free of charge, resources to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 to its national stakeholders which may be accessed by any interested party worldwide. The resources are focused on the needs of the health sector, as well as public and private organizations, especially SMEs, who require to expand their risk management systems to this new threat. To view these resources, please register on INACAL’s Web site.

IPQ, PORTUGAL

IPQ has created several informative documents (available on its website), and has collaborated with the national health entities to create a micro-site listing all regulations and standards that must be followed in the manufacture and distribution of Medical Devices and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
IPQ has edited and published the Portuguese versions of EN 14638 and EN 13795-1, Standards of utmost importance for the current situation.
In addition, IPQ has created a specific area on its website where, besides information targeted to the national manufacturers, it provides free access to relevant NP, EN and ISO Standards.

GOST R, RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Russian manufacturers, state and local authorities, as well as other interested parties, can access a range of current national, interstate and international standards for medical devices and personal protective equipment. The documents will be provided in electronic format, protected from modification, replication and without the right to further commercial distribution.
Visit STANDARTINFORM’s web site for more information.

SASO, SAUDI ARABIA

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) as the KSA’s national standards body, has been actively working on different fields to support the community and its stakeholders to overcome the resulted consequences and challenges of this pandemic.

SASO’s initiatives in this regard are as follows:

1. Free and easy access to more than 30 relevant standards, desperately needed to provide SASO’s stakeholders with the best practice information to help during this challenging situation.
2. Implementation of remote assessment activity as a temporary measure to replace on-site reassessments for business requiring the Saudi Quality Mark for their products, and extension of the validity period of the previously issued conformity certificates and the test reports of the registered products in SABER system to support trade and to facilitate the movement of goods into the Saudi market.
3. The training center at SASO is offering some free advisory services and several online awareness lectures on relevant ISO standards that can help with the battle against COVID-19.
4. SASO has also increased its awareness activities on social media platforms towards society in various essential topics.

For more information, please visit SASO’s website.

SSC, SINGAPORE

To support businesses during this challenging period, the Singapore Standards Council (SSC), Enterprise Singapore, is providing free viewing access to some 40 ISO, IEC and national standards. These standards aim to help companies develop business continuity management systems, facilitate production of key medical equipment, promote hygiene in public places and support delivery of products (including medicine).
Visit www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/standards-COVID-19 for more information.

SABS, SOUTH AFRICA

SABS has created a webpage that provides free access to a number of South African National Standards (SANS) on their e-commerce website in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.

SABS Website provides customers a direct insight to their Business Continuity Planning to inform them of the Business status. SABS also assists in combating fake PPE materials by informing our stakeholders what products have been Certified, this in return gives consumer the ability to be informed what products to buy and that the Standards have been adhered to.

UNE, SPAIN

The Spanish Association for Standardization, UNE, has published Specification 0065, which establishes requirements for the materials used for the design, manufacture, marking and use of protective masks for adults. This document will facilitate the manufacture of reusable masks for protection against the COVID-19 pandemic. UNE makes this document available free of charge.

Tourism sector
UNE has also published a series of Specifications to support the tourism sector in its recovering process from the COVID-19 crisis.
These UNE Specifications establish guidelines and recommendations to reduce the risk of the spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in the tourism sector.
The first set of Specifications applies to 12 tourism subsectors and a second batch will be available soon.
More information as well as the Specifications are available on UNE’s web site.

SIS, SWEDEN

To support the efforts against COVID-19 pandemic SIS has launched a list of 44 freely available EN and ISO standards in read-only format, including some national adoptions. These standards concern medical equipment and devices, protective clothing, business continuity, security and resilience.
If the target group wants to download these standards – instead of the read-only access – SIS offer the standards at a reduced cost during the global crisis.
SIS also have a close dialogue with several governmental authorities and have launched a web page with information regarding relevant authorities, in order to guide our stakeholders to correct information, regulations and exceptions that are urgently needed.
Furthermore, SIS have listed contact information to the technical committees that have participated in the development of the freely available 44 standards. They are currently responding to many practical questions from our stakeholders to guide them to the standards they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SIS Training and education team have launched seven online courses to make it possible for our customers to proceed with their own development plans but also support with knowledge to guide the organizations in the COVID-19 challenge.

More information is available on SIS’s Web site (in Swedish).

BSI, UNITED KINGDOM

Following the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), BSI, as the UK’s National Standards Body has assessed how we can best support Government, UK businesses and ultimately the UK population. At this time, it is important that business and Government is equipped with expert, consensus base best practice information to help them navigate the current and rapidly developing situation.
After careful consideration of their portfolio, BSI selected the most relevant standards to meet the immediate challenges faced by Government and UK business, and will be opening access to these standards during this time of emergency. As a result, a number of standards have been made accessible to help support manufactures produce medical equipment in short supply and to help UK organizations navigate the current period of instability.

New guidance on safe working during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Building on formal guidance issued by UK Government, BSI has developed a guidance document to assist organizations as they adjust the way they work, to protect workers and other people in their workplace from the ongoing risks related to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This document has been written to complement UK guidance, however it contains generic sector-neutral guidance that can be useful regardless of location – and the aim is to make it more applicable as time goes on, building good practices into it which BSI learns from international contributors. The standards community are invited to download the document (it is free to everyone) and also to submit comments. www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/topics/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-guidelines/

ANSI, UNITED STATES

To support the critical efforts of many groups engaged in the combat against COVID-19 – including manufacturers, government agencies, national laboratories, research institutions, and universities – ANSI has launched a portal providing free, read-only access to key ISO and IEC standards. A total of 37 critical standards are currently included, covering: medical equipment and devices; protective clothing used in health care settings; and business continuity management, security, and resilience.

For further information consult the ANSI COVID-19 Resources Page, which highlights the U.S. standardization community’s wide-ranging activities supporting public health, safety, and infrastructure during the pandemic.

UZSTANDARD, UZBEKISTAN

Information on the standards adopted by the Republic of Uzbekistan in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic: in order to counter the COVID-19 pandemic, steps have been taken by the Republic to develop new standards and to adopt international standards for the protection of respiratory organs (facial masks), protection clothing, antiseptic devices and free access to the texts of these standards for interested parties.

• 3 national standards for medical masks from non-woven fabric, developed on the basis of the European EN standard, gauze masks, shoe covers and medical caps;
• 5 international ISO and EN standards for various types of protective clothing;
• 24 units ASTM standard, establishing requirements for special protective clothing (face masks, gloves, surgical gowns) and methods for testing it;

A number of domestic enterprises have reprofiled their activities and developed the production of personal protective equipment (masks, protective clothing, antiseptics).
The list of standards and the texts of the standards can be found on www.standart.uz.

STAMEQ, VIET NAM

In order to support businesses and organizations to overcome the challenging periods by COVID-19 Pandemic, the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ), the national standardization body of Viet Nam, has created a web page providing free access to 15 national standards related to personal protective equipment, medical equipment, and business continuity. On the same web page, stakeholders can also find information about the list of standards provided free of charge by ISO, IEC and other NSBs.