Open exclusively to U.S.-based organizations and individuals, the paper competition should focus on the overall theme by specifically illustrating issues, concerns and applications of standards and conformity assessment programs as they pertain to business. Papers may explore how standards affect the production, distribution, marketing, and/or sales of goods and services on a national, regional or international level as well as how standards and conformity assessment programs help to foster a healthy economy.
The winners will receive their awards at a special ceremony during the World Standards Day Exhibits, Reception and Banquet on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 in Washington, DC. The first place winner will receive $2,500 and a commemorative plaque; second and third place winners will receive cash awards of $1000 and $500 respectively. In addition, winning papers will be published in the SES journal, Standards Engineering. The first place winning entry will also appear as a special feature article in the ANSI Reporter, the Institute's quarterly newsmagazine.
First place winners in the past have focused on timely issues within the standards and conformity assessment community as they pertain to the annual WSD theme. Last year, the first place winners, Richard Lampo, materials engineer at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, and Dr. Prabhat Krishnaswamy, vice-president of Engineering Mechanics Corporation, wrote a paper entitled, "Recycled-Plastic Lumber Standards: From Waste Plastics to Markets for Plastic Lumber Bridges." Their work presented a case study illustrating the integral link between standards development and benefits to the environment. In 2000, the winning paper, "Microsoft Anti-trust Litigation: The Case for Open Standards" by Ken Kretchmer and Elaine Baskin of the International Center for Standards Research at the University of Colorado at Boulder, discussed the Microsoft hearings with respect to standards.
A panel of independent judges chosen by SES and approved by the WSD Planning Committee will review the papers and select the winners. To participate, please visit the SES website for an entry form and rules; all submissions should be received no later than August 30, 2002. Please note that papers that do not follow the entry rules will not be considered.