On-line tutorial on consumer participation

Consumers and standards: partnership for a better world

The ISO Committee on consumer policy (ISO/COPOLCO) has developed a convenient reference tool on consumers and standardization, describing the advantages of consumers' engagement with standards.

• To access the training module

Consumers and standards: partnership for a better world is a convenient, stand-alone distance learning tutorial which will be useful for any person who is relatively new to the world of standardization and consumer policy. This module will also be helpful to seasoned professionals from consumer organizations and standards bodies, as a review of concepts and a repository of ideas and background sources.

The aim of Consumers and standards is to provide the user with a basic understanding of what standards are and what they do, and explain how consumers can participate in standards development and why they should do so. It also demonstrates how adequate standards can improve goods and services for consumers, using specific examples.

This module was produced as part of an ongoing joint programme of COPOLCO and the ISO Committee on developing countries (ISO/DEVCO) to promote consumer participation in standardization, with support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Consumers and standards is designed to be used by representatives from consumer organizations, standards bodies or other types of organizations, equally from developing or developed countries.  The module contains a glossary of terms and definitions, selected useful reference materials, and a short description of these materials. Furthermore, the module is easy to navigate, and text can be magnified for easy access by the visually impaired. An interactive review quiz at the end of each section will help the user review concepts. An embedded feedback form is also available for comments and suggestions.

The module will take about a half-day to complete; its four-section format gives the user flexibility to complete the module in several sessions, if desired.

The four sections address the following themes:

• Standards in our world
• How standards benefit consumers
• Ensuring that consumers have their say in standards-writing
• What are consumers’ interests and how does ISO address them?

To find out more, or if you have any comments or problems, contact us at copolco@iso.org.