National Volunteer Week: Recognising the experts shaping Australia’s standards

This National Volunteer Week (18-24 May), Standards Australia is recognising the contribution of more than 5,000 volunteers who support the development of Australian and international standards.

Under this year’s theme, Your Year to Volunteer, people are encouraged to make 2026 a year of meaningful involvement – fostering connection, purpose and lasting positive change.

Standards Australia volunteers play a critical role in shaping the standards that underpin safety, quality and innovation, delivering lasting benefits for industries and communities.

As part of the celebrations, we are highlighting Rianna Goodwin, newly appointed Chair of CS-065 Menstrual Products, who has volunteered with Standards Australia for the past five years.

Rianna has a strong background in forensic and analytical chemistry, with experience in quality control, pharmaceutical and water testing, and more than a decade in formulation chemistry designing cleaning and personal care products. She is currently Regulatory & Technical Manager at Accord, representing the hygiene, cosmetic and specialty products industry.

Below, she shares her experience in standards development and what volunteering means to her:

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‍When did you first become involved in standards development, and what motivated you to contribute to this space?

I first worked with standards during my formulation career, making sure products were safe, effective, and used and stored correctly. I became directly involved in standards development when I joined Accord. After years of applying standards, it was rewarding to help shape them, combining my hands-on experience with insights from across the industry.

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You bring significant experience in the personal care products sector. How do you plan to leverage this expertise to drive standards development for menstrual products?

My experience in the personal care and hygiene products industry is highly transferable, and I believe will offer a practical lens to the standards development process. I’m across product safety, labelling, packaging, manufacturing, quality systems, and supply chains. I also understand how standards affect product design and supply and these are all areas that should be considered when developing standards to make them fit for purpose. I can also draw on deep technical expertise from our member companies to inform and strengthen standards development.

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You are also an active member of other committees. How will that broader committee experience support you in your role as Chair of CS‑065?

Each committee has its own dynamics, which shapes how discussions and decisions unfold. Experience across a range of standards committees has given me practical tools to help streamline processes and keep discussions productive. My Standards Australia training has also strengthened my understanding of the framework.

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Looking ahead, what are your key priorities for the committee over the next 6-12 months? Are there any specific initiatives or projects currently in the pipeline that you’re particularly excited about?

A key priority is contributing to the development of the new international Menstrual Products standard currently being drafted. The Australian committee is highly engaged and keen to help shape a standard that is practical, effective, and supportive of future innovation. This work is critical to ensuring women worldwide have access to safe, reliable menstrual products.

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What would you say to professionals considering volunteering in standards development?

Volunteering in standards development is a great way to collaborate with experts and contribute to meaningful outcomes. It offers the chance to share your knowledge, learn from different perspectives, and help shape practical standards that support safety, quality and innovation across industries and the wider community.

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Interested in joining our community of volunteers? Learn more about becoming a committee member: How to Participate