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Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies
The UNECE Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6) is a forum for dialogue among regulators and policymakers. Its broad mandate includes technical regulations, standardization, conformity assessment, metrology, market surveillance and risk management.
Recent accidents in mines, offshore facilities, plants and installations have resulted in loss of human and animal life, unprecedented environmental degradation and economic damage. At the same time, dangerous products – i.e. hazardous toys, counterfeit pharmaceuticals, contaminated milk – have put consumers at risk. Unsafe and unscrupulous production methods also weaken compliant producers that are unable to compete against the proliferation of cheap and low-quality goods.
The Working Party aims at promoting regulatory policies to protect the health and safety of consumers and workers, and preserve our natural environment, without creating unnecessary barriers to trade. To contribute to this goal, it develops recommendations, and undertakes sectoral initiatives and capacity-building activities.
The recommendations and best practices are voluntary but are widely used by public authorities. In particular, they have been referenced as best practice by the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade and by the European Union. They have formed the basis of regulatory cooperation in the Commonwealth of Independent States and in the Eurasian Economic Commission. Since 1970, 16 Recommendations have been adopted.
The Recommendations are practical tools, developed by authorities and experts and of immediate use in regulatory practice.
Recommendation D – last revised in 2013 – encourages authorities to use international, regional and national standards in regulatory and policy work whenever possible and sets out various practical methods for referencing standards in technical regulations.
Recommendation L enshrines the "International Model", which is a set of tools that countries can use to approximate technical regulations in specific sectors. The Working Party has taken the lead to implement this Recommendation by fostering "sectoral initiatives" to develop common regulatory frameworks in the areas of telecom, earth-moving machinery, equipment for explosive environments, and pipeline safety. Texts related to these sectoral initiatives are constantly kept up to date on the website at www.unece.org/trade/wp6/SectoralInitiatives/START/START.html.
Recommendations M and N compile best practice in the area of enforcement. In all UNECE markets, non-compliant products are on the rise; but competent authorities and consumer associations are severely underfunded. For these reasons, action to ensure that regulations are enforced is of paramount importance.
The Working Party has published a glossary of terms related to market surveillance activities (ECE/TRADE/389), and has developed a database gathering information on market surveillance authorities, their mandate, their legislative references, and their sector of activity (www.unece.org/tradewelcome/areas-of-work/working-party-on-regulatory-cooperation-and-standardization-policies-wp6/areas-of-work/tradewp6marketsurveillance/database-on-market-surveillance.html).
Recommendations P and R offer guidance on how risk-management tools can be used in order to better prioritize standardization and regulatory work, make better informed choices between regulatory alternatives and better manage regulatory crises. They also advise authorities on how risk management tools can form the basis for regulatory cooperation work. Best practice developed by the Working Party in this area has also been published in the volume Risk Management in Regulatory Frameworks: Towards a Better Management of Risks (ECE/TRADE/390).
Reinforcing regulatory and enforcement authorities is a key priority in promoting safer production methods and more sustainable consumption patterns. An important prerequisite is for the staff of these bodies to be knowledgeable and aware of standards and related issues. At its 2012 session, the Working Party adopted Recommendation I. This Recommendation encourages authorities – where feasible and where the legal framework permits – to further promote the inclusion of standards as a subject in the curricula of universities and research centres. A collection of 15 "educational modules" – including teaching materials ready to be used by teachers and students at the universities or other academic institutions – is currently being developed to assist in vocational education and support the introduction or further development of the subject of standardization in universities. The Working Party has also organized several workshops and awareness-raising events at the request of national authorities or regional groupings to share best practice in its areas of work.
Recommendations to UNECE Governments on Standardization Policies
The Recommendations have been compiled in a single publication (ECE/TRADE/378) available at www.unece.org/trade/wp6/Recommendations/trd-378_ENG.pdf
A. Further Developments in International Cooperation on Technical Harmonization and Standardization Policies
B. Coordination of Technical Regulations and Standardization
C. International Harmonization of Standards and Technical Regulations
D. Reference to Standards
E. Treatment of Imported Products, Processes and Services
F. Creation and Promotion of International Agreements on Conformity Assessment
G. Acceptance of Conformity Assessment Results
H. Presentation of UNECE Recommended Standards and Harmonized Technical Regulations
I. Methodological Studies and Education
J. Definitions
K. Metrological Assurance of Conformity Assessment and Testing
L. International Model for Technical Harmonization Based on Good Regulatory Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Technical Regulations via the Use of International Standards
M. Use of Market Surveillance Infrastructure as a Complementary Means to Protect Consumers and Users against Counterfeit Goods
N. Good Market Surveillance Policies and Practices
P. Crisis Management within a Regulatory Framework
R. Managing Risk in Regulatory Frameworks
Website: http://www.unece.org/trade/wp6/
As of 29 December 2014


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In January, I was privileged to be a part of the team for a joint U.S.-Russian Antarctic Treaty inspection in Antarctica. The Russians had four members on the team: two lawyers, a scientist and an environmental expert, while the United States also had four members on the team. I was the only one with military experience. At its inception, the Antarctic Treaty was, in part, an arms control treaty. In fact, it was the first multilateral arms control treaty that allowed unannounced on-site inspections. It has been a resounding success in that regard, so the main focus of the Treaty now relates to science. This was also an important milestone for us: it was the first inspection we have ever done jointly with another Antarctic Treaty party.
My colleague Susannah Cooper, who works in State's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, posted a DipNote blog entry on our trip shortly after our return. Our inspections, as described by Susannah, were focused mostly on science and the environmental protection, as well as station organization, logistics and other details of Treaty compliance. My areas, in addition to military areas, included transport and communications. While the work was interesting, I cannot deny that what really fascinated me was just being there. It was a rather balmy day when we arrived (just below freezing), but it turned into a snowstorm the next day, preventing us from flying in helicopters to the Italian station up the coast. Oddly enough, because of the extreme low humidity, supported by perpetual freezing temperatures, it doesn't snow much there, and when it does, the wind whips it so hard that it doesn't blanket anything -- it drifts. That's one reason why the stations are mostly built on pilings.
We didn't waste our snowy day, however. First, we had a delicious breakfast feast (all you can eat, just like on Navy ships!) at the well-stocked McMurdo Station chow hall. Everyone eating there MUST wash their hands before entering. Illnesses travel fast in isolated populations like the 1,110 or so summer residents of McMurdo. After some coordination by our inspection teammate and National Science Foundation representative George Blaisdell, we drove over the hill to the New Zealand station, Scott Base. To me, the most interesting thing about the Kiwi base was their passionate adherence to environmental preservation -- reduce, reuse and recycle was in obvious practice. It is a good model for the United States' own Greening Diplomacy Initiative here at State. The New Zealanders also had three giant wind turbines that provide enough power to supply their entire station and provide about 15% of the power required for McMurdo through a linked grid. Standing on the shore of McMurdo Sound in front of Scott Base was the coldest I felt on the trip -- or ever, for that matter. The wind was howling and the New Zealand flag was snapping, making it obvious why animals turn their backsides to the wind. Not that there were many animals to see on our trip -- there were seals on the ice near the holes they use to get into the water, and Skuas flying nearby, but I never did see any penguins. Their largest rookeries are further north, with better access to the water.
Since the sun was up all the time, it was hard to tell what time it was. (The next sunset is scheduled for February 21, and even then the night will be brief until the end of March.) If my stomach had not growled at meal times, I might have stayed up all night! Funny thing about McMurdo chow -- they have midrats (midnight rations), also just like the ship. I felt right at home. The blackout curtains were very necessary to get any sleep. Just hope you don't have to get up in the middle of the night and see the light -- near impossible to go back to sleep!
As far as the terrain went, our most interesting inspection was at Concordia Station at "Dome C" on the Antarctic Plateau at over 10,000 feet elevation. We flew up in a converted C-47 (military version of the DC-3) built in 1942. It was refurbished and given new engines about 10 years ago. It was a surprise inspection, although we provided some advance notice to avoid disrupting activities at the small stations we were going to inspect. It was extremely cold on the Plateau, -32 degrees F, without wind chill. Luckily it was not very windy, so it didn't feel that cold in Big Red -- our nickname for the excellent down coats we wore. Still, when I had to take off a glove to operate the small buttons on my camera, it only took about 30 seconds for the skin on my hand to feel downright painful from the exposure. Gloves back on! Oddly enough, the joint French-Italian station is so well insulated that because of the activities going on inside that generate heat (running the diesel generator, computers, cooking, body heat, etc.), and the constant sunshine, they had to open the windows to cool the place! I bet the 12 folks staying for the 9-month long winter won't have to do that. Since I was the arms control representative on the team, I got to ask the station staff whether they had any firearms. They pointed to the smoke detectors and sprinklers in the ceiling and said "of course!" I guess that was lost in translation, but I did eventually get the right answer in the negative.
Our last inspection, at the Italian Mario Zucchelli Station, was a two-hour helicopter flight north along the coast from McMurdo. We passed gorgeous mountains, enormous glaciers, and not a single bit of vegetation. The station is located on the shores of Terra Nova Bay, which was largely free of ice. This makes it easier for their resupply ship, Italica, to make one more trip to the station before winter. Back at McMurdo, the resupply ships were waiting for the contracted icebreaker to clear the sea ice that blocked the way to that station's ice pier.
There was a sense of urgency in the science activities going on at Zucchelli. It's a summer-only facility and there were numerous experiments and projects ongoing that needed to be setup to run automatically or concluded prior to the winter which would arrive in about a month. The Italians, while proud of their station and the ongoing science, were also proud of the espresso they served us. Yum! The inspection went very well, though here again, as part of my job on the team, I needed to ask the station staff if they had any weapons or explosives. After the Italians' somewhat surprised and emphatic "No!", I got a laugh when I lamented that "nobody EVER has anything for me to look at!" Actually, it quite clearly demonstrates the complete success of the arms control aspects of the Treaty.
As I look back, the trip could not have gone much more smoothly. NSF and the US Antarctic Program (USAP) were extremely helpful and well prepared. The verification regime for the Antarctic Treaty provided the United States and the Russian Federation the opportunity to collaborate on something a little different for a change. A safe, secure and peaceful Antarctica is in our mutual interest and all the team members, Russian and U.S., worked together in a great spirit of cooperation. For us, this was one small part of the "reset" with Russia, but hopefully, this is just the beginning of deeper cooperation in the future. Fingers crossed that next time we see some penguins!

subset: commoncrawl


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The New Economics of Advertising: It's All About the Journey
May 8, 2013
David Edelman, principal at McKinsey & Company, shared recent research about consumer behavior in the path to purchase.
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iHerb Commentaires des clients
Économie de: €1.46 (17 % de remise)
Note: Korean Customs will quarantine and inspect this item before final shipment to the customer. Please be advised that ordering this item could cause delivery delays
Delicious and nutricious
Publié par ShaktiSophia le Aug 01, 2012
I bought these as an ingredient for my smoothies, for the essential fatty acids and complete proteins, and they were barely noticeable in the smoothies. But then I started eating them alone and no longer put them in the blender, because I really love their nutty taste and their slightly crunchy consistency! Manitoba Harvest shelled hemp seeds taste fresh and the resealable bag is handy. They would be perfect if they were certified organic. Instead, they are described as "grown without pesticides" and "processed in a USDA organic certified facility".
Publié par Reviewer2081292 le Jan 01, 2009
this is the first hemp seed I have tried and I liked them. They taste a bit like toasted pumpkin seeds. I add them to yogurt.
Publié par Reviewer2188197 le Dec 03, 2013
Like it but price is too high
Muy suaves
Publié par ROSSITA le Dec 05, 2013
Las uso para hacer mis batidos, me parecen caras aún asi. Si esta opinión te ha ayudado marca el sí abajo, para más opiniones pincha en mi nombre.
Publié par Reviewer2608410 le Jan 10, 2014
Good seeds
Great Taste, Makes Salads Nutty!
Publié par Reviewer2793346 le Jan 21, 2014
Adds a little extra flavor to salads and great for you!
less aroma than I aspected
Publié par 4778975794814830379 le May 08, 2016
I have tried others with more pwerfull aroma -taste
Great taste!
Publié par 5362125169030423822 le Aug 01, 2016
First time snacking this hemp seeds and the taste is so great! nutty and taste uniquely and i enjoyed snacking
Publié par Reviewer2392378 le Jun 07, 2010
Great product! Comparable to more expensive hemp seeds, but tastes just as great.
good product
Publié par Reviewer2246756 le Aug 09, 2010
tastes good, but has a slight bitter note
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Topic: assert assigns() not working
This one really has me scratching my head. In a functional test, I'm trying to verify whether the variable @email_test_button_disabled was set to true or false. I put verbose puts statements in my controller, and I positively verified it's being set by printing the assigns via assigns.keys.sort.each {|key| puts key}. It's there! Yet, assert assigns(:email_test_button_disabled) nor assert assigns['email_test_button_disabled'] detect it. WTH!? Ideas anyone? It's annoying to run into some weird roadblock just about every day. Hopefully I'll get over the hump soon.


text: These fresh Canadian farmed salmon fillets originated in the pristine icy cold waters of the North Atlantic. High in omega 3 fatty acids, these nutritious salmon fillets lower cholesterol and are an important part of a heart-healthy diet. Baked, blackened, broiled, fried, poached or sautéed, our Canadian farmed salmon fillets are always delicious. Try fresh Canadian Farmed Salmon Fillet with All Fresh Seafood's famous gourmet crusts and make your entree extra special. 1 lb Fillet for only $19.99


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Religious Group News
Holy Trinity Seniors
Holy Trinity Seniors met in the Parish Center on Thursday, April 11. President Rita Lombardo gave the Invocation, then gave a reading entitled "To Make a Choice."
The members then enjoyed the lunches they provided. The table was set with a white table cloth, and centerpieces were colorful vases and flowers.
Lombardo called the meeting to order. Secretary Josie Wierczynski read the minutes of the previous meeting. They were accepted as read.
Lombardo gave the financial report. It was accepted as read by Doris La Spada and approved.
"Happy Birthday" was sung to Marian Genovese, who was wished many more.
The next meeting will be in the Parish Center on Thursday, May 9 at 12:30 p.m. Members should bring their own lunches.
New members are currently being sought and are always welcome. The group meets on the second Thursday of each month.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Kathy Damiano and seconded by Genovese. The group had a guest, Liv Visosky.
St. Dominic Parish Altar & Rosary Society meeting
St. Dominic Parish Altar & Rosary Society met April 12 at 9:30 a.m. in the church hall. President Anna Marie June called the meeting to order. Mary Ann Leonard gave the Treasurer's report. It was decided that the deadline for paying membership dues would be April 30. We will hold our annual salad luncheon on May 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Westfield site. Jean Tate will make the arrangements for our end of the year luncheon. It will be held on Friday, June 14 at the White Inn at 1 p.m.
The next meeting will be Friday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m. Jean Tate and Carol Reynolds will serve the refreshments. All women of the parish are invited to attend.


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Bonding with wild turkeys
This post contributed by Nadine Lymn, ESA Director of Public Affairs
Just in time for Thanksgiving, comes the true-life tale of a man who raised a rafter of sixteen wild turkeys, gaining a newfound understanding and deep appreciation for them in the process. My Life as a Turkey aired on PBS last week and shows how naturalist and wildlife artist Joe Hutto immersed himself in the lives of his young charges, becoming part of a strange "tribe" for 18 months.
Hutto has a strong interest in imprinting—most obvious in birds such as geese and turkeys, that imprint on their mother and follow them everywhere. Although farmers and others had taken advantage of this phenomenon for years, Austrian scientist Konrad Lorenz was the first to document the imprinting process.
The PBS film is a reenactment of the book Joe Hutto wrote about his experience, Illumination in the Flatwoods. In it, he incubates the eggs which a farmer has left at his house in the Florida Everglades and then raises the hatchlings to adulthood. The story chronicles Hutto's gradual understanding of turkey communication, behavior, as well as the threats facing "his" young brood.
After a rat snake manages to squeeze into the pen where Hutto houses the young turkeys, or poults, and kills one, Hutto realizes he must not only reinforce the structure, but also spend every waking minute with the poults, from dawn to dusk. Indeed, his entire life revolves around the young turkeys. He bonds with them to such a degree that when they reach the stage of their life where they launch into flight and settle into a tree to roost, he feels left out and clamors up the tree to join them.
With their comically gangly necks coupled with surprisingly graceful bodies, the young wild turkeys follow Hutto through the Florida Everglades. They recoil yet are fascinated when they encounter their first dead animal and seemingly are also bothered by a tree stump, which they inspect for a long while and about which they make many turkey "comments."
One of the most beautifully filmed and entertaining scenes shows Hutto strolling alongside the turkeys as they go on a "grasshopper hunt." With barely a pause in their stride, the turkeys expertly snatch the grasshoppers from their grassy perches, as seen in the clip below.
Imprinting on ones' parent early in life is a survival strategy. But when young animals imprint on humans, the result is often that when the animal reaches adulthood, it is unprepared to live on its own or it interacts inappropriately with its own species or with humans, often resulting in the animal's death. To avoid this outcome, handlers involved in captive breeding programs to restore birds such as the endangered Whooping Crane or California Condor are costumed or use hand puppets to mimic an adult bird.
In the case of Hutto's experience with the wild turkeys, this did not seem to be a problem; they left when they reached maturity, with the exception of one of the males, dubbed "Turkey Boy" by Hutto. He stayed with Hutto longer than all the other turkeys but one day suddenly attacked the naturalist, drawing blood. Hutto drives him off and after that Turkey Boy does not return.
I found myself drawn into this story, in large part because of the clear bond that develops between the man and the turkeys. A quick scan through the many comments on the online PBS site reveals that I'm not alone: nearly everyone who saw the piece seemed captivated by the story as seen from the sampling below:
"Watching now, utterly fascinating. Hutto is an affable, intelligent and engaged scientist and relator of these events….Beautiful! The most compelling thing I've seen on TV in years!….I was totally captivated by it all. Thanks to Joe for his dedication to these magnificent birds – and providing me a glimpse into their world…..What an awe inspiring story. Thanks Mr. Hutto for the moments you took me away from this crazy world ….into nature."
As highlighted by the blog Learning from Dogs, Sam Wollaston's article in The Guardian newspaper about the film, captures what sets it apart from other nature shows and why it so clearly resonates with viewers:
"My Life as a Turkey isn't simply a wildlife film though. It's not just about wild animals, it's about one man's relationship with wild animals, and that's what makes it so fabulous. Serious animal behaviourists may not agree, but if you throw a human being in there, it all suddenly becomes a lot more interesting. I'm thinking Ring of Bright Water, Gorillas in the Mist, I'm definitely thinking Werner Herzog's brilliant Grizzly Man about a man named Tim whose friendship with bears went wrong and he ended up inside one. My Life as a Turkey has something of Grizzly Man about it – a man obsessed, alone in a beautiful place, living with wild animals. But, although Joe was attacked, he didn't end up inside one of his turkeys thankfully. There would have been a certain irony to that, especially if it had happened at Thanksgiving."
Photo credit: BBC Joe Hutto film