Standards are developed in an open process, reflecting the views of many stakeholders. Integrating the view of the consumer into standard development is important as he or she can lend a unique perspective to the process.

For example, consumers can

• Give examples of how products and services are actually used (or misused)
• Check that the performance requirements reflect the way products are actually used
• Provide data on safety aspects and ensure that safety is properly addressed

Getting involved in standards development can help make sure that products and services perform as expected. It can help improve:

• quality and reliability
• protection of safety and health
• compatibility between products
• consistency in the delivery of services
• choice of goods and services
• transparency in product information
• fair competition, and therefore lower prices
• suitability of products for vulnerable populations (such as children and the elderly)
• environmental protection

What difference can you make?

As a consumer representative you can participate in technical committee meetings where standards are developed. No particular background is required just a willingness to read and understand the issues, and get your voice heard by participating.

To get involved you can:

• Contact your national consumers’ association as they often cooperate with national standards bodies. If yours doesn't, encourage it to do so.
• Contact the ISO member body in your country. This body is the representative national standards body of your country.
• Contact international and regional consumer associations.
  Consumers International is the worldwide organization for consumer associations.
  The European Association for the Coordination of Consumer Representation in Standardization (ANEC) is a regional association representing consumers in standardization in Europe.
• Contact the ISO Committee on Consumer policy (COPOLCO).