ISN Insider

Before 1990, organic food production practices were not federally regulated in the United States, with standards varying from state to state. During this time, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) appointed private agencies to conduct initial inspections to certify production facilities as organic producers. Once granted certification, facilities were left unchecked as they continued to produce organic goods. The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990 authorized the USDA’s National Organic Program to establish nationwide standards for the production, handling and distribution of organically grown agricultural products. The certification process standards set forth in the Act include the regulation of allowable pesticides and chemicals, labeling standards, harvesting procedures as well as the transportation and trade of organic products. Since the implementation of the OFPA, the Organic Trade Association has shown a spike in U.S. sales of organic food and beverages from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.7 billion in 2010. As the demand for organic products grows, the USDA’s role in upholding the integrity of organic practices further develops. As of January 1, 2013, the USDA mandates that accredited agents annually perform residue tests on at least five percent of the facilities they have certified to ensure prohibited substances and methods are not used during the production of organic foods. If a farmer or business sells or labels a product as organic when it does not meet USDA standards, they can be fined up to $11,000 per violation. These additional checks and balances will help the USDA reduce the misrepresentation of organic goods and hold organic producers accountable for the products they distribute. Resources: http://webarchives.cdlib.org/sw1s17tt5t/http://ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB86/ http://npic.orst.edu/reg/organic.html http://www.ota.com/organic/mt/business.html http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5101208 http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?&template=TemplateA&leftNav=NationalOrganicProgram&page=NOPOrganicSeal&description=The%20Organic%20Seal http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/ofp/ofp.shtml http://www.ota.com/index.html  

It’s estimated that 113 million residences in the United States use about 22% of the nation’s energy. On average, a household spends at least $2,000/year on home utility bills. To decrease energy usage and increase utility cost savings, follow these simple tips: 1. Turn Off Lights Anytime a room is not in use, turning off the lights will save you money. At the start of 2012, standard light bulbs were required to be 25% more efficient than in past years. Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs use less energy and last up to about 25 times longer than standard bulbs. The compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs save even more energy than the LED bulbs, but will only last 10 times longer than the standard bulb. 2. Seal Air Leaks If window, door, attic hatch, plumbing or ceiling fixtures are not sealed tightly, they can leak hot or cold air. When air leaks occur, it can add an additional cost of 10-25% to your heating bill. If a thermostat is regulating room temperatures, leaks can cause your heater or air conditioner to work even harder to maintain the set temperature. Covering windows with drapes or curtains will also help stabilize the temperature of the room. Controlling room temperatures can be a challenge, especially as the seasons change. To lower your bill, keep your thermostat at the lowest temperature that is comfortable in cooler climates and the highest comfortable temperature in warmer weather. 3. Use ENERGY STAR Products ENERGY STAR is a government backed program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Together, the EPA and DOE regulate which products are considered to be ENERGY STAR qualified. To qualify, products are required to use less energy, protect the environment and reduce utility costs. The ENERGY STAR symbol placed on these products to assist consumers with easily recognizing energy efficient products, ranging from major appliances, electronics and lighting to new homes and commercial buildings. Through the use of ENERGY STAR products in 2010 alone, consumers saved the environment greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 33 million cars while saving $18 billion in utility costs. For more tips on how to save energy, click here. Resources: http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/energy_savers.pdf http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_how_earn http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=partners.mou http://energy.gov/ http://www.epa.gov/

“Since Apache employs hundreds of service providers across the region, the development of a robust assurance system is extremely important to us. We have implemented the ISN system to verify the adequacy of our contractors’ own safety programs and to ensure that our contractors are meeting performance expectations.” -Alistair McGregor, Regional Supply Chain Manager, Apache Energy Limited Apache Energy Limited and Apache Corporation (Apache) have selected ISN to assist with contractor performance management across its Australia and United States onshore operations. Both regions will utilize ISNetworld to manage contractor health, safety and environmental information to enrich their safety operations.

ISNetworld recently began verifying Companies House registration and account standing for contractors and suppliers located in the United Kingdom. Companies House serves as an online registry of business information delivered under the Companies Act. Companies House verification within ISNetworld will affect contractors and suppliers with a physical presence in the United Kingdom, whose clients require proof of registration and favourable standing with Companies House. For those contractors and suppliers required to submit valid documentation, ISNetworld will verify their account standing through the Companies House online system using their company’s unique registration number. Contractors and suppliers may be exempt from this requirement if they have no physical presence in the United Kingdom or if their business is classified as a Sole Trader. For further information regarding Companies House registration, please click here. Resources: http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/