Ecological Restoration
10/02/2020
ANSI Seeks Feedback on ISO Technical Committee Proposal
Submit Feedback by November 20, 2020
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) encourages relevant stakeholders to submit feedback by November 20, 2020, on a proposal for a new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) technical committee (TC) focused on ecological restoration—the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.
The Standardization Administration of China (SAC) submitted the proposal. The document explains that ecological restoration can contribute in substantial ways to protecting nature and improving human well-being all over the world. Per the proposal, while many well-intended projects and programs that were designated as "ecological restoration" have underperformed in recent years, standards established by the proposed ISO/TC will present a robust framework for future restoration projects to achieve intended goals.
The work of the TC would also help support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15, which serves to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and stop biodiversity loss. Furthermore, as the proposal explains, the TC would initiate work by preparing an overview that "characterizes the discipline of ecological restoration and defines relevant technical terminology." The characterization will contribute to build a common understanding of concepts to support standardization work, describing:
- what ecological restoration is,
- how ecological restoration is accomplished,
- why it is needed, and
- how it is distinguished from related disciplines.
Please review the proposal and submit comments to Steven Cornish, ANSI senior director of international policy, at [email protected], by close of business on November 20, 2020.
Based on input received from U.S. stakeholders, a recommended ANSI position and any comments will be developed and presented at the ANSI ISO Committee (AIC) for approval before ISO's voting deadline of December 24, 2020.
ANSI has published an explanatory information document outlining the process used to develop U.S. positions in issues and activities under consideration by ISO and IEC.
