For over a century the world has celebrated the achievements of women on 8 March, or International Women’s Day.
 
However, the World Economic Forum tells us that we are still 217 years away from gender parity^. That is why the theme for International Women’s Day this year is to #PressForProgress.
 
To support this theme and recognise the accomplishments of women in Australia and around the world, my team at Standards Australia shares their pledge with you in this video.

At Standards Australia we are fortunate to have many inspiring women already involved in our work, from our technical committees to our very own staff.

Last year our most prestigious award, the W.R. Hebblewhite Medal, went to Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde for her contributions to forensic science. We have seen a great increase in female participation in our Young Leaders Program. Roughly half of our senior leaders and board are women.
 
I encourage more women to get involved. By contributing to standards you are contributing to the safety and sustainability of Australian life.
 
To echo the words of ISO*, “women not only make a valuable contribution to the products, services and systems that drive our society, they also deserve to have an equal voice in their development.”

---

<sup>^ The Global Gender Gap Report 2017
* Advancing women in standardization on International Women’s Day</sup>

Have you checked out our new website? With a modern content management system in place, we hope you find it simpler, faster and better to navigate across all of your devices.
 
What’s changed?

• New modern look and feel
• Enhanced content based on user needs
• Compatible on multiple devices
• More accessible in alignment with WCAG specifications
• Improved search functionality

 
What do you think?
We welcome your feedback. Simply use the blue feedback button on the right-hand side of each page on the site.

The new International Standard ISO 45001 was recently published by ISO. ISO 45001 provides a framework for workplace safety, allowing organisations to manage this key risk as part of their business processes.   
 
The Australian committee is considering the compatibility of the standard within the Australian regulatory framework. Standards Australia will consult widely before undertaking any process to adopt ISO 45001 as an Australian Standard.
 
Learn more about ISO 45001 and what it means for Australia.

Tracey Gramlick has a background in engineering and over thirty years of expertise in various design, technical, production, education, materials and marketing roles prior to her current position as Executive Director and CEO of the Australian Window Association. She represents the industry through political advocacy for manufacturing, energy efficiency and compliance and sits on three industry aligned boards. She also participates in numerous National Construction Code and Standards Australia committees, and she joined the Standards Australia Board in November 2017.
 
Standards Australia: What has your involvement been in standards development?
Tracey Gramlick: I first became aware of standards whilst a manufacturing cadet working in the metals industry. I knew basically what they were but they really didn’t affect me in any way until I took up a role as technical manager. This included architectural systems and the NATA test rigs that validated our performance claims. I started attending standards technical committee meetings at that stage and underwent a steep learning curve that included all sectors of Australian technical infrastructure. This put me in good stead as I moved into industrial products such as ship building, road transport and aircrafts. Over the years this evolved into my current involvement as a member and counsellor, running a nominating organisation, chairing a technical committee, representing at ISO, contributing to the Young Leaders program and recently joining the Board of Directors.
 
SA: How can Standards Australia better #PressForProgress?
TG: This year’s International Women’s Day theme is quite thought-provoking and it’s something you have to sit back and think about. I think Standards Australia does fairly well in this space, but for me personally there are a few things that stand out:

• Have faith in yourself as an individual without allowing gender bias to creep into your thoughts and dreams. You don't have to be the smartest or the strongest to be a winner or be happy.
• Set a plan, but remember a plan can be changed. Having an open mind and being adaptable to change when new opportunities or left field offers come your way allows you to evolve, grow and thrive.
• The other side of the coin is ensuring enablers are in place; workplaces that actually practise their gender equality principles and access to finance and markets are important as well.

 
SA: As the newest member to the Board, what are the opportunities and challenges you see for Standards Australia in the next five years?
TG: I believe the development of robust Australian and International Standards is an imperative. They underpin product conformity and compliance. It is an interesting and challenging time for all industries with globalisation and the ACCC consideration of International Standards and multiple inquiries into nonconforming products—all areas that affect an association like Standards Australia directly and indirectly. An opportunity exists not just to ensure the standards we use as Australians are fit for their purpose but to deliver them in new, adaptable and cost-effective platforms in this current and emerging digital age.

At the conclusion of the Technical Governance Review sessions, Standards Australia’s Innovation Incubator will be conducting a ‘Hack the Process’ workshop, looking at ways we can be innovative in standards development.
 
To register, or find out more, see the links below. 
Sydney, 17 April: Incubator Workshop
Canberra, 18 April: Incubator Workshop
Melbourne, 19 April: Incubator Workshop