Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December 2020
Newsletter of the South Asian Regional Standards Organization
A Specialized Body of SAARC
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
Fifty-Eighth Session of the Programming
Committee of SAARC
The Fifty-Eighth Session of the Programming Committee of the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was held on 15 December 2020 in virtual mode. The
Programming Committee is a Charter Body of SAARC comprising of the Heads of SAARC
Divisions (Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary/Director General) from the Ministries of
Foreign/External Affairs or National Focal Points of the Member States of SAARC. The
Programming Committee considers the Calendar of Activities, administrative and financial
matters of the Secretariat, Regional Centres and Specialized Bodies of SAARC
Left to right: Mr. Bharat Kumar Regmi (Joint Secretary of Nepal and Chairperson of the SAARC
Programming Committee), H. E. Mr. Bharat Raj Paudyal, (Foreign Secretary of Nepal and Chairman of
the SAARC Standing Committee) & H. E. Mr. Esala Ruwan Weerakoon, (Secretary General of SAARC)
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
H. E. Mr. Bharat Raj Paudyal, Foreign
Secretary of Nepal and Chairman of the
SAARC Standing Committee, addressed the
Inaugural Session of the Programming
Committee. In his Address, the Foreign
Secretary highlighted the importance of the
Programming Committee’s Sessions in
taking forward the SAARC process.
Recognizing SAARC as the collective
aspiration of the people of South Asia for
peace and prosperity through regional
cooperation, he said that the Association
had taken some important steps for
promoting regional integration through
trade, finance, transport, power,
connectivity as well as people-to-people
contacts. He said, “Blessed with abundant
natural and human resources, South Asia
holds a high potential for development and
prosperity.
Delegates of 58th Session of the Programming Committee of SAARC (at SAARC Secretariat)
H. E. Mr. Esala Ruwan Weerakoon, Secretary
General of SAARC, also addressed the
Inaugural Session. In his remarks, the
Secretary General of SAARC thanked the
Foreign Secretary of Nepal and Chairman of
the SAARC Standing Committee, for his
presence in the Inaugural Session. He
conveyed condolences to the people and
Governments of the Member States of
SAARC over loss of life caused by the
pandemic. Presenting a synopsis of
developments in regional cooperation since
the last Session of the Programming
Committee, he referred to the high-level
meetings of the SAARC Leaders and Health
Ministers during the ongoing pandemic as well
as other Ministerial Meetings on Education
and Planning. He highlighted the need to
strengthen regional cooperation to contain
the further spread of the Coronavirus and
mitigate its after-effects in the region
.
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
Mr. Bharat Kumar Regmi, Joint Secretary
(Regional Organization Division), Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Nepal, chaired the
Meeting. In his opening remarks, Mr. Regmi
welcomed the delegates to the Meeting. He
appreciated the excellent documentation
and technical arrangements made by the
SAARC Secretariat in facilitating the
Meeting.
The one-day Session of the Programming
Committee reviewed the current status of
regional cooperation in the identified areas
since its last Session. Besides considering
the SAARC Calendar of Activities for 2021,
the Committee reviewed matters relating
to the SAARC Secretariat, Specialized
Bodies and Regional Centres, including the
budgets and Calendars of Activities for
2021.
Mr. K. J. Sirikumara, Director and Mr.
Ramesh Khadka, Dy. Director of SARSO
attended the Fifty-Eight virtual Session of
the Programming Committee. Mr.
Sirikumara presented the highlights of
activities of SARSO in the year 2020,
recommendations of the Ninth Meeting of
the Governing Board of SARSO, Financial
report, and draft budget of SARSO for the
year 2021 and Draft SARSO’s 2021 meeting
& training calendar.
Mr. K. J. Sirikumara (Director, SARSO) presenting
during programming committee meeting of
SAARC
Ninth Meeting of the Governing Board (GB)
of SARSO
The Eight Meeting of the Governing Board approved the Ninth Meeting of the Governing
Board (GB) of SARSO and Eight Meeting of the Technical Management Board (TMB) of SARSO
to be held in Bhutan or Sri Lanka. However due Covid-19 pandemic, the Ninth Meeting of the
Governing Board (GB) of South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO) was held
virtually as recommended by SAARC Secretariat. The Ninth Meeting of the Governing Board
of South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO) was held from 29-30 October 2020
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
under the Chairpersonship of Mr. Bishwo Babu Pudasaini, Director General, Nepal Bureau of
Standard and Metrology (NBSM). The Meeting was hosted and facilitated by SARSO
Secretariat.
Members of the Governing Board of SARSO (in the Ninth meeting through Virtual Mode)
The opening session was attended by the
Mr. Bishwo Babu Pudasaini (Chairperson of
GB), Director General, Nepal Bureau of
Standard and Metrology (NBSM), Mr.
Chanchal Chand Sarkar, Director (ETF),
SAARC Secretariat, Members of the
Governing Board of SARSO and SARSO
Secretariat.
The Ninth Meeting of the GB noted the
report of SARSO Activities for the year
2020 presented by SARSO Secretariat,
reviewed the Status chart of follow up and
Implementation of recommendations
/directives of the Eight Meeting of GB of
SARSO (Dhaka, Bangladesh, 05 to 06
November 2019), endorsed the Report of
the Eight Meeting of the Technical
Management Board (held virtually on 28
October 2020) presented by the
Chairperson of TMB, considered the
proposed Budget of SARSO (Institutional
and Program) for the year 2021 and
discussed other matters.
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
The Governing Board (GB) noting the
presentations received from International/
Regional Partner Organizations, appreciated
and thanked ISO, IEC, CEN/CENELEC and
the PTB-Germany for sharing the updates
of their respective organizations relevant to
SARSO
The GB unanimously elected Pakistan as the
next chairperson of GB of SARSO for
tenure of two years (02 March 2021 to 01
March 2023) as per alphabetical order and
congratulated the distinguished member of
GB from Pakistan. The GB also recorded its
deep appreciation for the outgoing
chairman Mr. Bishwo Babu Pudasaini,
Director General of NBSM, Nepal for
providing the leadership and efficient
functioning of SARSO. Mr. Jayanta Roy
Chowdhury, Scientist G & Deputy Director
Mr. Bishwo Babu Pudasaini (Chairperson of the
GB of SARSO)
General, Standardization (Products and
Methods), Bureau of Indian Standards, and
Government of India proposed the vote of
thanks. He expressed his sincere gratitude
to SARSO Secretariat for hosting the
Meetings of TMB and GB of SARSO
Virtually even in light of the COVID 19
Pandemic, the Chairperson of the GB for
effectively steering the Meeting and the
Members of the GB for active and fruitful
discussions.
Eighth Meeting of the Technical Management
Board (TMB) of SARSO
The Eight Meeting of the Governing Board
approved the Eighth Meeting of the
Technical Management Board (TMB) of
SARSO to be held either in Bhutan/Sri
Lanka However due Covid-19 pandemic,
the Eight Meeting of the Technical
Management Board (TMB) of South Asian
Regional Standardization Organization
(SARSO) was held virtually as
recommended by SAARC Secretariat. The
Eight meeting of the TMB hosted by
SARSO Secretariat through Virtual mode
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
was held on 28 October 2020 under the
Chairpersonship of Shri. D K Agrawal,
Deputy Director General, Standardization
Service Sector, and Bureau of Indian
Standard (BIS), India.
Members of the Technical Management Board of SARSO (in the eight meeting through Virtual Mode)
The Meeting noted the relevant decisions of
the Eight Meeting of the Governing Board
of SARSO including brief report of SARSO
Activities in the year 2020 presented by
SARSO Secretariat; reviewed the progress
of implementation of recommendations of
the Seventh Meeting of TMB of SARSO held
on 04 November 2019 in Dhaka,
Bangladesh; noted the updates and status of
the SARSO Sectoral Technical Committees
(STCs) presented by the Secretariat;
discussed and recommended the SARSO
STC Meeting calendar. Considering the
prevailing situation due to Pandemic, the
TMB recommended SARSO Secretariat to
conduct all the STCs meetings in Virtual
Mode till the end of July 2021.
The TMB also recommended SARSO
Secretariat to announce and host the
meetings virtually in consultation with host
member even after July 2021 if situation due
to pandemic remains unfavorable to
conduct physical meetings.
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
The meeting also reviewed the Guideline
for selection of proposed project proposals
/ new work items for regional
harmonization / formulation of Regional
Standards‘ and noted the status of working
group and its Terms of Reference (ToR)
for projection of common Interests of
SARSO in ISO/IEC Forums.
Ms. Chenzom, Offtg. Head, Standardization
Division Bhutan Standards Bureau (BSB)
proposed the vote of thanks. Ms. Chenzom
thanked the Chairperson of the TMB for
exceptional steering of the meeting and
SARSO Secretariat for excellent facilitation
of the Meeting even in virtual mode. Shri.
D. K. Agrawal, Deputy Director General,
Standardization Service Sector, Bureau of
Indian Standard and Chairperson of Eight
Meeting of TMB, SARSO closed the Eight
Meeting of the TMB of SARSO held on 28
October 2020 through virtual mode. He
thanked the delegates of the Meeting for
active participation and fruitful
deliberations.
Shri. D K Agrawal (Chairperson of the Eight
Meeting of TMB, SARSO)
***
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
A PANORAMIC VIEW OF A FEW EMERGING
SUBJECTS IN ISO/IEC THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST
TO SAARC COUNTRIES
# ISO/IEC number Title ISO/TC or IEC/SC
number
1. ISO/DIS 21690 Glass in building — Glass blocks — Specification
and test methods
ISO/TC 160/SC 1
2. ISO/DIS 80601-2-74 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-74:
Particular requirements for basic safety and
essential performance of respiratory humidifying
equipment
ISO/TC 121/SC 3
3. ISO/DIS 45003 Occupational health and safety management —
Psychological health and safety at work : managing
psychosocial risks — Guidelines
ISO/TC 283
4. ISO/DIS 21629-1 Bamboo floorings — Part 1: Indoor use ISO/TC 296
5. ISO/DIS 2076 Textiles — Man-made fibres — Generic names ISO/TC 38
6. IEC/DIS 62304.3 Health software — Software life cycle processes ISO/TC 215
7. ISO/FDIS 17090-1 Health informatics — Public key infrastructure —
Part 1: Overview of digital certificate services
ISO/TC 215
8. ISO/FDIS 17090-3 Health informatics — Public key infrastructure —
Part 3: Policy management of certification
authority
ISO/TC 215
9. ISO/FDIS 21364-1 Domestic gas cooking appliances — Safety —
Part 1: General requirements
ISO/TC 291
10. ISO/IEC DTR 22116.2 Information technology — A study of the
differential impact of demographic factors in
biometric recognition system performance
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37
11. ISO/DIS 21725-1 Simplified design of prestressed concrete bridges
— Part 1: I-girder bridges
SO/TC 71/SC 5
12. ISO/DIS 23889 Ageing Societies – Guidelines for carer-inclusive
organizations
ISO/TC 314
13. ISO/DIS 25539-4 Cardiovascular implants — Endovascular devices
— Part 4: Application of ISO 17327-1 for coated
endovascular devices
ISO/TC 150/SC 2
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
14. ISO/DIS 11132 Sensory analysis — Methodology — Guidelines
for monitoring the performance of a quantitative
sensory panel
ISO/TC 34/SC 12
15. ISO/DIS 50005 Energy management systems — Guidelines for a
phased implementation
ISO/TC 301
16. ISO/DIS 6717 In vitro diagnostic medical devices — Single-use
containers for the collection of specimens, other
than blood, from humans
ISO/TC 76
17.
ISO/DIS 23032 Meteorology — Ground-based remote sensing
of wind — Radar wind profiler
ISO/TC 146/SC 5
18.
ISO/PRF 5775-2 Bicycle tyres and rims — Part 2: Rims ISO/TC 31/SC 10
19. ISO/DIS 15886-2 Agricultural irrigation equipment — Sprinklers —
Part 2: Design and operation requirements
ISO/TC 23/SC 18
20. ISO/FDIS 19734 Eye and face protection — Guidance on
selection, use and maintenance
ISO/TC 94/SC 6
21. ISO 21857 Petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas
industries — Prevention of corrosion on pipeline
systems influenced by stray currents
ISO/TC 67/SC 2
22. ISO/DIS 23623 Ageing Societies — Framework for Dementia-
inclusive communities
ISO/TC 314
23. ISO/PRF TS 16733-2 Fire safety engineering — Selection of design fire
scenarios and design fires — Part 2: Design fires
ISO/TC 92/SC 4
24. ISO/FDIS 23234 Buildings and civil engineering works — Security — Planning of security measures in the built
environment
ISO/TC 59
25. ISO/PRF 12404 Soil and waste — Guidance on the selection and
application of screening methods
ISO/TC 190/SC 3
26. ISO
1750:1981/DAMD 7
Pesticides and other agrochemicals — Common
names — Amendment 7
ISO/TC 81
27. ISO 22341 Security and resilience — Protective security —
Guidelines for crime prevention through
environmental design
ISO/TC 292
28. ISO/DIS 8600-8 Endoscopes — Medical endoscopes and endotherapy devices — Part 8: Particular
requirements for capsule endoscopes
ISO/TC 172/SC 5
29. ISO/DIS 31030 Travel risk management – Guidance for
organizations
ISO/TC 262
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
30. ISO/DIS 6781-1 Performance of buildings — Detection of heat,
air and moisture irregularities in buildings by
infrared methods — Part 1: General procedures
ISO/TC 163/SC 1
31. ISO/DIS 80601-2-90 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-90:
Particular requirements for basic safety and
essential performance of ventilatory high-flow
therapy equipment
ISO/TC 121/SC 3
32. ISO/DIS 30422 Human Resource Management – Learning and
development
ISO/TC 260
33.
ISO/DIS 10017 Quality management — Guidance on statistical
techniques for ISO 9001:2015
ISO/TC 176/SC 3
34. ISO/DIS 23826 Gas cylinders — Ball valves — Specification and
testing
ISO/TC 58/SC 2
35. ISO/DIS 23345 Jewellery and precious metals — Non destructive
precious metal fineness confirmation by ED-XRF
ISO/TC 174
36. ISO/DIS 12312-1 Eye and face protection — Sunglasses and related
eyewear — Part 1: Sunglasses for general use
ISO/TC 94/SC 6
37. ISO/FDIS 15223-1 Medical devices — Symbols to be used with
medical device labels, labelling and information to
be supplied — Part 1: General requirements
ISO/TC 210
38. ISO/DIS 23592 Service excellence — Principles and model ISO/TC 312
39. ISO/FDIS 6182-1 Fire protection — Automatic sprinkler systems
— Part 1: Requirements and test methods for sprinklers
ISO/TC 21/SC 5
40. ISO/PRF 10013 Quality management systems — Guidance for
documented information
ISO/TC 176/SC 3
41. ISO/DIS 21621 Tourism and related services — Traditional
restaurants — Visual aspects, decoration and
services
ISO/TC 228
42. ISO 7970 Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) — Specification ISO/TC 34/SC 4
43.
ISO/DIS 14298 Graphic technology — Management of security
printing processes
ISO/TC 130
44. ISO 21191 Equipment for crop protection — Closed
transfer systems (CTS) — Performance
specification
ISO/TC 23/SC 6
45. ISO/PRF TR 18568 Packaging and the environment — Marking for
material identification
ISO/TC 122/SC 4
46. ISO/IEC DIS 27002 Information security, cybersecurity and privacy
protection — Information security controls
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
47. ISO/DIS 23616 Cleaning, inspection and repair of firefighters'
personal protective equipment (PPE)
ISO/TC 94/SC 14
48. ISO/IEC DIS 17030 Conformity assessment — General requirements for third-party marks of conformity
ISO/CASCO
49. ISO/DIS 22156 Bamboo — Structural design ISO/TC 165
50. ISO 817:2014/DAMD
2.2
Refrigerants — Designation and safety
classification — Amendment 2
ISO/TC 86/SC 8
51. ISO
14021:2016/DAMD 1
Environmental labels and declarations — Self-
declared environmental claims (Type II
environmental labelling) — Amendment 1:
Carbon footprint, carbon neutral
ISO/TC 207/SC 3
52. ISO/DIS 37166 Smart community infrastructures —Urban data
integration framework for smart city planning
(SCP)
ISO/TC 268/SC 1
53. ISO 17420-1 Respiratory protective devices — Performance
requirements — Part 1: General
ISO/TC 94/SC 15
54. SO/DIS 23767 Children’s furniture — Mattresses for cots and
cribs — Safety requirements and test methods
ISO/TC 136
55.
ISO/DIS 37180 Smart community infrastructures — Guidance on
smart transportation with QR code identification
and authentification in transportation and its
related or additional services
ISO/TC 268/SC 1
ISO/DIS 23155 Interpreting services — Conference interpreting
— Requirements and recommendations
ISO/TC 37/SC 5
56. ISO/FDIS 16321-1.2 Eye and face protection for occupational use —
Part 1: General requirements
ISO/TC 94/SC 6
57. ISO/DIS 14119 Safety of machinery — Interlocking devices
associated with guards — Principles for design
and selection
ISO/TC 199
58. IEC
60038/AMD1/FRAG2
ED7
Amendment 1 (f2) - Standard voltages for AC
supply and AC equipment (Proposed horizontal
standard)
IEC/TC 8
59. IEC
60038/AMD1/FRAG3
ED7
Amendment 1 (f3) - Standard voltages for DC and
AC traction systems (Proposed horizontal
standard)
IEC/TC 8
60. IEC 60152 ED2
Designation of phase differences by hour numbers
in three-phase AC systems
IEC/TC 3
61. IEC 60255-1 ED2
Measuring relays and protection equipment - Part
1: Common requirements
IEC/TC 95
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
62. IEC 60255-27 ED3
Measuring relays and protection equipment - Part
27: Product safety requirements
IEC/TC 95
63. IEC 60335-2-
40/FRAG2 ED7
Household and similar electrical appliances -
Safety - Part 2-40: Particular requirements for
electrical heat pumps, air-conditioners and
dehumidifiers
IEC/TC 61/SC 61D
64. IEC 60335-2-79 ED5
Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-79: Particular requirements for
high pressure cleaners and steam cleaners
IEC/TC 61/SC 61J
65. IEC 60384-1 ED6 Fixed capacitors for use in electronic equipment -
Part 1: Generic specification
IEC/TC 40
66. IEC 60400/AMD2
ED8
Amendment 2 - Lampholders for tubular
fluorescent lamps and starter holders
IEC/TC 34/SC 34B
67. IEC 60502-1 ED3
Power cables with extruded insulation and their
accessories for rated voltages from 1 kV (Um =
1,2 kV) up to 30 kV (Um = 36 kV) - Part 1:
Cables for rated voltages of 1 kV (Um = 1,2 kV)
and 3 kV (Um = 3,6 kV)
IEC/TC 20
68. IEC 60669-2-1 ED5
Switches for household and similar fixed electrical
installations - Part 2-1: Particular requirements -
Electronic control devices
IEC/TC 23/SC 23B
69. IEC 60730-1 ED6
Automatic electrical controls - Part 1: General
requirements
IEC/TC 72
IEC 60751 ED3
Industrial platinum resistance thermometers and
platinum temperature sensors
IEC/TC 65/SC 65B
70. IEC 60825-2 ED4 Safety of laser products - Part 2: Safety of optical
fibre communication systems (OFCSs)
IEC/TC 76
71. IEC 60910 ED2 Nuclear power plants - Instrumentation systems
important to safety - Containment monitoring for
early detection of developing deviations from
normal operation in light water reactors
IEC/TC 45/SC 45A
72. IEC 60987 ED3
Nuclear power plants - Instrumentation and
control important to safety - Hardware
requirements
IEC/TC 45/SC 45A
73. IEC 61010-2-201 ED3
Safety requirements for electrical equipment for
measurement, control, and laboratory use - Part
2-201: Particular requirements for control
equipment
IEC/TC 65
Volume 6/ Issue 04/ October – December2020
74. IEC 61217 ED3
Radiotherapy equipment - Coordinates,
movements and scales
IEC/TC 62/SC 62C
75. IEC 61537 ED3
Cable management - Cable tray systems and cable
ladder systems
IEC/TC 23/SC 23A
76. IEC 61557-12/AMD1
ED2
Electrical safety in low voltage distribution
systems up to 1 000 V AC and 1 500 V DC -
Equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring
of protective measures - Part 12: Power metering
and monitoring devices (PMD)
IEC/TC 85
77. IEC 61812-1 ED3
Time relays for industrial and residential use -
Part 1: Requirements and tests
IEC/TC 94
78. IEC 61851-23-1 ED1
Electric vehicle conductive charging system - Part
23-1: DC electric vehicle charging station with an
automated connection device
IEC/TC 69
79. IEC 61914 ED3
Cable cleats for electrical installations IEC/TC 23/SC 23A
80. IEC 62083 ED3
Medical electrical equipment - Requirements for
the safety of radiotherapy treatment planning
systems
IEC/TC 62/SC 62C
81. IEC 62281/AMD1
ED4
Amendment 1: Safety of primary and secondary
lithium cells and batteries during transport
IEC/TC 35
82. IEC 62305-2 ED3
Protection against lightning - Part 2: Risk
management
IEC/TC 81
83. IEC 62471-6 ED1
Photobiological Safety of Ultraviolet Lamp
Products
IEC/TC 76
84. IEC TR 62681 ED2
Electromagnetic performance of high voltage
direct current (HVDC) overhead transmission
lines
IEC/TC 115
85. IEC 62682 ED2
Management of alarms systems for the process
industries
IEC/TC 65/SC 65A
86. IEC TS 63116 ED1 Lighting systems - General requirements IEC/TC 34
87. IEC SRD 63235 ED1
Smart city system - Methodology for concepts
building
SyC Smart Cities
88. IEC 63281-1 ED1
Personal e-Transporters - Safety requirements
and test methods
IEC/TC 125
89. IEC TS 63290 ED1
General technical requirements for intelligent
assemblies
IEC/TC 121/SC 121B
90. IEC 63338 ED1
General guidance for reuse of secondary cells and
batteries
IEC/TC 21/SC 21A
91. ISO TS 82304-2 ED1
Health software - Part 2: Health and wellness
apps - Quality criteria across the life cycle - Code
of practice
TC 62/SC 62A
***