INDUSTRY NEWS

International cleanroom standard reaches important stage in global approval process

Two benchmarks that are part of the world's first set of comprehensive cleanroom standards are one step from becoming accepted practices. Covering cleanrooms and controlled environments, the two protocols have been released for review at the draft international standard stage (DIS) by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

A key point in the approval process, the DIS stage means that more than 95% of a document's technical content is completed, according to IEST, which is acting as the secretariat for the standards-writing committee. The committee can accept only minor editorial changes to accommodate variations in language between the DIS stage and final publication as an approved ISO standard. In addition, DIS documents can be used as part of a business contract, says IEST.

The documents are ISO/DIS 14644-2, Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments Part 2: Testing and monitoring to prove continued compliance with ISO 14644-1; and ISO/DIS 14644-4, Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments Part 4: Design, construction, and start up. The first benchmark in the set, ISO 14644-1, Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments Part 1: Classification of airborne particulates has been submitted to ISO for final international approval. That is expected to come this month. Voting on additional benchmarks covering biocontamination control are pending.

IEST is serving as secretariat for ISO Technical Committee 209, which is writing the set of 11 protocols. More than 1000 participants from the 34 nations comprising ISO/TC 209 are collaborating on the effort to create the international cleanroom standards. The set of protocols will cover everything from cleanroom design to daily operation, IEST notes. Information: 847/255-1561.

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