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ISO launches eNewsletter on conformity assessment

2009-07-13

ISO today launched a new electronic newsletter on "conformity assessment" – the name given to the processes used to demonstrate that a product or service, a management system or an organization meets specified requirements, such as those of an ISO International Standard.

Purchasers, users, customers and consumers, as well as regulators, can have more confidence in products, services, systems and organizations when they conform to ISO standards – but the conformity assessment processes and the people and organizations that carry them out must also be worthy of confidence. So, in addition to standards for products, services and so on, ISO also develops standards for conformity assessment through ISO/CASCO, Committee on conformity assessment.

ISO Secretary-General Rob Steele comments: "It has been estimated that standards and related conformity assessment activities have an impact on 80 % of world commodity trade – so an understanding of international standardization and conformity assessment is useful for managers, as well as regulators. The new eNewsletter will help to share such understanding."

The newly launched ISO/CASCO eNewsletter – initially scheduled for publication three times a year – will provide regular updates on standards, developments and activities related to conformity assessment. ISO/CASCO Chair, Olivier Peyrat, writes in the launch issue: “Although initially the newsletter is intended for ISO/CASCO members, the aim is to make it a valuable information source for all interested in conformity assessment."

The first issue contains concise reports on recent and upcoming ISO/CASCO meetings, plus updates on new standards under development, including for the certification of products, services and processes, of persons, and for inspection. Links guide the reader to more information on the ISO Website which includes a dedicated section entitled "Conformity assessment".

Subscribing to the newsletter is free of charge and can be done quickly and easily on ISO's Website at this page.