ISO Focus - May 2008

A new universe of services

ISO Focus, May 2008

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Services of one form or another permeate every part of our lives. From traditional sales-related services to intangibles such as banking, tourism, education and public services, the field is already extremely vast. But with the rapid development of communication technology and transport the face of services is changing at an astonishing pace.

As the sector develops, so does the demand for standards to ensure quality and good practice in the supply of services. This issue of ISO Focus looks at how ISO is engaging in new standardization paths to address pressing needs in this area.

The issue provides an overview of the latest developments on standardization for personal services (e.g. financial planning), public services (e.g. supply of drinking water), and marketing services (e.g. market, opinion and social research).

It also looks at consumer requirements, and at service standards for the business community, particularly in relation to information security management and service management.

Learn about the exciting work of new committees working on hot topics such as brand valuation and rating services, and see where the future of standardization might lead.

The issue features an interview with Antoine Frérot, CEO of Veolia Water, a leader in water and waste water services. Find out about the environmental management measures taken by Veolia Water, and the role of international standards in their operations in our next issue of ISO Focus.

Comment

Jacob Holmblad
ISO Vice-President (technical management)
Standards support quality and global trade in services

Guest view

Antoine Frérot
Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Water, the Water Division of Veolia Environment (VE) and Executive Vice President of VE

“The international nature of ISO standards can reassure clients travelling all over the world and, vice versa, can facilitate the work of service suppliers operating in many countries, like Veolia Water.”

Main Focus

A new universe of services

Ensuring customer satisfaction with consumer-oriented service standards
Service management with a smile of confidence
Improving water and wastewater services
Managing water crises and ensuring water security with new ISO International Workshop Agreement
Quality requirements for learning
Planning the ideal holiday – The new face of tourism
Access panels – An innovative solution for market, opinion and social research
Transparent and reliable financial ratings
ISO 22222 on personal financial planning – The Austrian experience
Know what you mean with exhibition terminology
Brands – Their weight in gold
Patents – Determining value