I know that it has been reported the folks at FM Approvals are now willing to delay implementation of the effective date of the new intrinsically safe (IS) standard, but why do I sense that all they have really provided is the proverbial sleeves off their vest? Ok, so existing equipment may be sold for years. Big deal. Current IS equipment would be “frozen” so that no changes could be made in equipment or accessories without triggering the need to comply with the new harmonized global standard which FM Approvals still plans to put in place on January 1, 2012. Meantime, the industry, e.g., NPSTC, EWA, API and others, would supposedly work with FM Approvals, ISA, ANSI and perhaps others to develop a new alternative North America Standard. Fundamental questions still remain however, specifically, what the heck is the driver behind this urgent need to harmonize global standards when what is in place now is working fine? And when will the FM Approvals representatives understand the reality that system performance is as important as intrinsic safety?