ISO Focus - July-August 2009

Renewing confidence

ISO Focus, July-August 2009

• Online version

 

As the world takes its first sluggish steps out of an economic recession, it becomes clear that what the world needs now is confidence, the bedrock of business.

And ISO standards are all about promoting and renewing confidence. Because of their international multi-stakeholder recognition and their voluntary nature, they are powerful tools for organizations to become proactively accountable.

The July/August 2009 issue of ISO Focus, looks at the wide portfolio of tools that ISO has to offer to address the current financial crisis and to prevent new ones.

The issue features standards that will become key in the future of finance including, risk and quality management, financial ratings, requirements for financial planners, IT security, financial transactions, etc. It also looks at new projects addressing related global challenges such as counterfeiting and fraud.

All of these tools will help financial institutions and other organizations to restore credibility, integrity and efficiency, and thus ensure the world’s financial sustainability.

The issue also features an exclusive interview with World Bank’s Lead Economist, John Wilson, who gives us his views on the current crisis and the role of standards for recovery.

Comment

Julien Pitton, ISO Treasurer
How to win back business confidence and credibility in turbulent times

Guest View

John Wilson
Lead Economist, Development Research Group, World Bank

"There is an urgent need for leadership to showcase the importance of International Standards... A new global standards initiative can help achieve that goal."

Main Focus

Renewing confidence

• Talking “risk”
• The benefits of personal financial planning
• Rating services – Bringing stability to global financial markets
• ISO tackles consumer credit scoring
• Reducing security risks in financial services
• Fraud – ISO joins the fight
• Anti-counterfeiting solutions to gain back profits
• Turning financial crises into opportunities – Customer satisfaction standards
• Quality and competitiveness as strategic allies
• If only we could go back in time
• Conformity important to maximizing benefits
• Social responsibility in time of crisis – ISO 26000 and beyond
• ISO highlights standards as generators of confidence during global financial crisis

Developments and Initiatives

• Does it fit, will it work and can standards help ?
• Extensive debate improves consensus on future ISO 26000
• ISO President highlights role of standards for economic recovery
• ISO begins work on standard for utility bills

New on the shelf

• New edition of ISO/TS 16949 quality specification for automotive industry supply chain
• ISO standard to save sailing enthusiasts from danger and drowning

World Scene

Highlights of events from around the world

ISO Scene

Highlights of news and developments from ISO members