About this standard: Covers the sanitary aspects of silo-type storage tanks for milk and milk products used at dairy processing plants. Does not apply to silo-type tanks on dairy farms.

Current status: A previous working group (WG 1 for Vessels) produced a near-complete draft and a set of ballot comments. The new working group picks up from that foundation — the primary task is reviewing and resolving existing comments and advancing the document to ballot.

What you'll do: Review and resolve ballot comments from the previous working group. Confirm which Guidance Document sections require equipment-specific permissions under the GR framework. Finalize the draft and advance to WG and SC ballot. Resolve comments received during the ballot period.

Estimated time commitment: Approximately 30–40 hours over 5 months. Expect 5–6 monthly 90-minute virtual meetings plus document review between sessions.

Who we're looking for:

Fabricators — Engineers and technical teams at companies that manufacture, fabricate, or supply silo-type storage tanks, pressure vessels, or related dairy processing equipment.

Users/Processors — Operations, QA, and engineering staff at dairy or food processing facilities that use silo-type storage tanks.

Regulatory Sanitarians — State dairy regulators, USDA or FDA inspectors, or academic researchers with expertise in storage tank sanitation and dairy hygiene.

Project timeline: 

About this standard: Covers sanitary aspects of non-coil type batch processors used to heat, cool, or process milk, fluid milk products, or other fluid comestibles. Includes both atmospheric and closed types.

Current status: A previous working group (WG 1 for Vessels) developed substantial draft content. The new working group benefits from a strong starting point and is expected to move quickly to a finalized draft and ballot.

What you'll do: Review the previous working group's draft and identify sections requiring equipment-specific permissions. Resolve outstanding comments and advance the draft. Confirm that all applicable 'when permitted' allowances are properly addressed. Finalize and advance to WG and SC ballot.

Estimated time commitment: Approximately 30–40 hours over 5 months. Expect 5–6 monthly 90-minute virtual meetings plus document review between sessions.

Who we're looking for:

Fabricators — Engineers and technical teams at companies that manufacture, fabricate, or supply batch processors, heat exchangers, or thermal processing equipment for dairy or food applications.

Users/Processors — Operations, QA, and engineering staff at dairy, beverage, or food processing facilities that use batch processors.

Regulatory Sanitarians — State or federal regulatory officials or academic researchers with expertise in pasteurization, thermal processing, or batch processing equipment hygiene.

Project timeline: 

About this standard: Covers sanitary aspects of disc-type valves with one- or two-piece bodies, as used on product tanks or in product and solution pipelines. The stem does not penetrate the seal face. Excludes butterfly-type valves.

Current status: A previous working group (WG 3 for Valves and Fittings) developed substantial draft content and generated ballot comments. The new working group will review and resolve those comments across several working sessions and advance the document to ballot.

What you'll do: Review the Guidance Document revisions developed by the previous working group. Resolve outstanding ballot comments, with specific attention to 'when permitted' allowances for valve construction. Confirm that the General Requirements normative reference is properly integrated. Advance the final draft to WG and SC ballot.

Estimated time commitment: Approximately 35–45 hours over 5 months. Expect 5–6 monthly 90-minute virtual meetings plus document review between sessions.

Who we're looking for:

Fabricators — Engineers and technical teams at companies that manufacture, fabricate, or supply disc-type valves, valve bodies, seals, or fittings for sanitary fluid handling.

Users/Processors — Operations and engineering staff at food, dairy, or beverage processing facilities that use disc-type valves in product pipelines.

Regulatory Sanitarians — Federal or state regulatory officials or researchers with expertise in fluid handling equipment, valve sanitation, or pipeline hygiene.

Project timeline: 

About this standard: Covers sanitary aspects of equipment and filters used in supplying compressed air for contact with food, food products, or other comestibles and their contact surfaces. Scope begins at the air intake filter and ends at the point of application.

Current status: This is the most advanced project in the 2026 portfolio. A previous working group (WG 12, Plant Support Systems) has completed a final draft reflecting current test methods and efficiency standards. The Steering Committee ballot is the next step — the new working group's role is primarily SC comment resolution.

What you'll do: Review the final draft document. Participate in the SC ballot comment resolution process. Support the Technical Lead in responding to SC ballot comments. Prepare for SC final approval and publication.

Estimated time commitment: Approximately 15–20 hours over 4 months. The lightest commitment in the 2026 portfolio — the draft is complete and your work is focused on comment resolution.

Who we're looking for:

Fabricators — Engineers and technical teams at companies that manufacture, fabricate, or supply compressed air systems, air filters, pneumatic components, or plant utility systems for food and dairy applications.

Users/Processors — Operations and engineering staff at dairy, food, or beverage processing facilities that use compressed air systems.

Regulatory Sanitarians — Regulatory officials, auditors, or academic researchers with expertise in plant support systems, compressed air quality, or food processing environment controls.

Project timeline: 

About this standard: Covers sanitary aspects of mechanical equipment used for conveying dry milk and dry milk products, excluding bucket types and conveyors integral to the dryer. Scope runs from product entry to product discharge.

Current status: A previous working group (WG 6 for Conveyors and Feeders) completed the draft work and launched a ballot — but did not reach the required quorum of votes. The revised 3-A procedures allow for a smaller, focused group. The primary task is a rapid review of the prior work and a return to ballot.

What you'll do: Orient to the previously balloted document. Confirm resolution of prior ballot comments and scope alignment. Return the document to ballot with a focused, quorum-capable group. Resolve any new comments from the WG and SC ballot.

Estimated time commitment: Approximately 25–35 hours over 4 months. This project is the closest to the finish line in the pilot track — expect 3–4 meetings before ballot.

Who we're looking for:

Fabricators — Engineers and technical teams at companies that manufacture, fabricate, or supply mechanical conveyors, dry powder handling equipment, or dry product processing systems.

Users/Processors — Operations and engineering staff at facilities with dry processing lines, powder handling, or dry milk / dairy powder operations.

Regulatory Sanitarians — Regulatory officials or academic researchers with expertise in dry product sanitation, powder handling, or dry dairy processing.

Project timeline: