ISO Focus September 2006

Standards: big benefits for small business

ISO Focus, September 2006

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Today small and medium-sized enterprises are by far the most numerous in most economies. They generate the majority of jobs, promote diversification of economic activities, support sustainable development, and make a significant contribution to exports and trade.

The September issue looks at how implementing standards such as, for environmental management systems, can increase the value of small businesses and cut costs.

The issue brings together a portfolio of case studies from several countries and other articles cover the application of software engineering standards in smaller settings, or how UNIDO (the United Nations Industrial Development Organization) and the role of standards contribute to the operation of SMEs.

Additionally, in an interview, Bengt Rasin, CEO of Norwegian Alloc Group, which manufactures laminate floors and wall panels, emphasizes how implementing International Standards enables businesses to remain competitive in the global markets, by offering customers innovative products and services of high quality.

Comment

Mario Wittner, Chair of the ISO Committee for conformity assessment
Conformity assessment and access to markets for SMEs

Guest View

Bengt Rasin
CEO of Alloc Group (Norwegian manufacturer of high quality laminate floors and wall panels)

“We have actively engaged ourselves in standardization.”

Main Focus  

Standards: big benefits for small business

• World Standards Day – Standards : big benefits for small business
• Examples of how small and medium enterprises and associations from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Singapore, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA and Zimbabwe can benefit from using International Standards in their daily operations
• How to make ISO 14001 implementation easier for small businesses
• A holistic approach to improving the status of SMEs
• Applying software engineering standards in very small enterprises
• The position of SMEs in international standardization

Developments and initiatives

• Conference of African Ministers of Industry places standards and conformity assessment high on agenda
• ISO standards help make “ the sustainable choice, the easy choice ” – highlights from a consumer workshop
• Saffron: the spice of life
• Getting it right: plastics terminology

New on the shelf

• The ISO Survey sheds light on roles of management system standards in globalization
• ISO standards for life cycle assessment to promote sustainable development
• New ISO/IEC standard to help detect IT intruders

World Scene

• Highlights of events from around the world

ISO Scene

• Highlights of news from ISO