Sustainable Standards Committee Deadline Re-Extended

It’s still not too late to have a voice in the formation of a national sustainable agriculture standard. The Leonardo Academy, the ANSI-accredited standards-development organization guiding the process, has decided to re-extend the deadline for Standards Committee and subcommittee applications to July 7, 2008.

The extension was granted in conjunction with Leonardo Academy’s re-announcement of the Draft Standard for Trial Use (DSTU) on May 16. A number of appeals were filed with Leonardo Academy expressing concern that the initial announcement of the draft failed to “sufficiently inform all affected parties of the DSTU process,” according to a Leonardo Academy press release.

In response, the Leonardo Academy chose to re-announce the DSTU so that any procedural issues from this point forward could be fully addressed.

All applicants will be notified of their committee status no later than July 28, and the first Standards Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Leonardo Academy has also updated its ANSI standard development procedures to clarify the committee selection process and additional standard development procedures, according to the press release. The updated procedures are currently under review for ANSI approval.

If you are interested in getting involved, visit the Leonardo Academy’s website, http://www.leonardoacademy.org/about.html, for additional information and an application. For questions, contact Amanda Raster at amanda@leonardoacademy.org.