New Milford, CT - WMIA announces it has entered into an agreement with ANSI to partner on the administration of a new ANSI-accredited US/Technical Advisory Group (US/TAG) for ISO/TC 39/SC 4, an international committee developing global standards for woodworking machinery.

The U.S. stakeholders participating on the US/TAG will be responsible for determining U.S. national consensus positions on any draft international standards under development in the ISO committee. A major focus for the US/TAG will be to ensure that the ISO standards are harmonized with existing American National Standards.

WMIA’s ANSI Committee Chair, Mark Craig stated “The mission of the US/TAG is to thoroughly review the ISO standards for woodworking machines and produce an ISO standard which can later be nationally adopted as an ANSI-approved American National Standard.”

John Park, WMIA’s President added that “We firmly believe that harmonizing US and ISO (World) standards will benefit the entire industry including machinery manufacturers, both domestic and abroad, as well as end users.”

Under the ANSI-WMIA agreement, WMIA will provide funding and technical support for the effort and ANSI will serve as the US/TAG administrating body, managing the day-to-day operations of the US/TAG and providing process and procedural guidance.

The first meeting of the US/TAG will take place on April 28th at the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort, the day prior to the start of the 2014 Woodworking Industry Conference.

Anyone interested in participating or learning more about this US/TAG, please contact Riccardo Azzoni at the WMIA office or Jason Knopes at ANSI ([email protected]).

The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association is a trade association representing importers and distributors of woodworking machinery and ancillary equipment in North America. Founded in 1977, WMIA is the recognized voice of importers and distributors and a vital communications link between suppliers and the many manufacturers of wood products in North America.

Members include firms that import and distribute industrial woodworking machinery. Members offer equipment, technologies and services that enable North American companies to compete profitably. WMIA also helps link equipment manufacturers with reliable U.S. importers and distributors.