The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA®) and six other non-profit organizations, including the convening organization, Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for indoor air and environmental quality. Donald Weekes, CIH, AIHA Fellow, and member of AIHA's Technical Committee on indoor environmental quality, signed the agreement on behalf of AIHA.

The purpose of this MoU, known as the Allied Industry Partners, is to identify and recognize current standards and credentials developed and administered by the partner organizations and related industry organizations. Some of the current standards and credentials include AIHA's Indoor Air Quality Body of Knowledge and the Indoor Air Quality/Indoor Environmental Quality Framework for practitioners.

"AIHA is proud to be a partner with the six other non-profit organizations in this MoU. The MoU will enable all of the organizations to further their commitment to creating safer and healthier environments for people potentially exposed to adverse health conditions," said Weekes. "The cooperation between AIHA and our allied industry partners will help establish common standards and credentials for better indoor air quality."

Organizations comprising the Allied Industry Partners include: AIHA, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), the American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA), Environmental Information Association (EIA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and the Basement Health Association (BHA).

As part of the MoU, the involved parties have agreed to cooperate and coordinate at a level that ensures maximum efficiency in exchanging information, utilizes all available resources to provide better health for workers, and is consistent with the principles of all the Allied Industry Partners. The Allied Industry Partners will maintain a close liaison at the senior level by the most effective means available to ensure that each organization is aware of the applicable functions and activities of the other partners. They will encourage their members to work cooperatively on the mutual review and revision of industry standards. In addition, authorized representatives from each organization will annually meet in-person to evaluate progress on the implementation of the MoU and revise and develop new plans as needed. The partners will also serve as a unified voice on regulation and legislative issues, when appropriate.

"The strategic partnership with these six organizations is a clear example of AIHA's strategic approach to improving worker health and safety through strengthening our cooperation and partnerships with like-minded organizations," said Kathy Murphy, AIHA President.