Tekst
overgenomen met toestemming van:
ISO-BULLETIN, januari 2001 (COMMENT)
Geschreven door:
Dr. Mario Gilberto Cortopassi,
ISO President
Standardization as a
strategic necessity to penetrate markets
LARGE segments of the international economy have "gone global", following the rapid development of world trade, and c-commerce has spread as quickly as the evolution of information technology Since these trends are affecting the balance of trade, standard of living and well-being of people in more and more countries, technical standards are needed more than ever before, to facilitate exchange for all of those who choose to take up tile opportunities and challenges of tile global marketplace. With the convergence of commercial, cultural and technical interchange any country that is riot able to use tile universal language of international standards will find it difficult to position itself for success in the future.
The global village will not accept that tariff and quota trade barriers are replaced by technical barriers. It is therefore the duty of those involved in standardisation, everywhere in the world, to use standards for their real purpose: to facilitate the international exchange of goods and services; to pro mote quality productivity, efficiency and reliability at all levels of industry and trade for the ultimate benefit of consumers and to help protect health, safety and the environment for people in all societies.
Recognised quality at a competitive price has become the target in today's economy. To enter new markets to attract and keep their customers, the providers of goods and services have to consider quality and productivity as strategic necessities. Standardisation, metrology, testing, conformity assessment and certification are among the key instruments they can use to reach their objectives. Not knowing the importance of these skills, and not applying their principles, may bring about significant setbacks arid losses in countries that remain unaware. In this area, as well, truly international standards can provide the basis for conformity assessment and certifications recognised throughout the world. The ultimate goal is surely to arrive at one standard, one conformity assessment procedure and one certification, recognised by all.
With the acceleration of technological and economic change, productivity has become a concern not only for trade and industry but also for ISO itself. We have had to respond to market-driven requirements, update our means of production, and use computer applications and IT systems to speed up standards development. The means are now available for the thousands of people involved in ISO's technical activities to work in "virtual mode" and exchange documents electronically. Fully implementing these changes will not only reduce costs, increase efficiency and speed up the work, but also bring greater transparency and interactive participation.
These changes cannot be fully implemented, however, unless we all agree. The ISO Council, the ISO Officers and the Central Secretariat need strong support from all the ISO members, so that the technical commit tees, subcommittees and working groups can meet international expectations and further strengthen the Organisation's position in the world today. Working in synergy with other international organisations, including those involved in the Forum on Standards Actions in the Global Market (SGM Forum), ISO can play its role in the global marketplace and help to extend prosperity to all nations. I have made a commitment to serve this purpose, and I hope that each one of you will join the effort, together and in harmony to reach our goals.
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