Key or emerging priorities
Child related products
Children are a vulnerable population with special needs, who not only are consumers of products specifically designed for them, but also products that are not necessarily intended for their use. Children sometimes use products that are designed for them in an unintended way. COPOLCO coordinates work on standards to cater for children's special requirements.
Product safety
Standards in this sector vary considerably across the world leading to confusion and unnecessary cost. COPOLCO is helping to resolve consumer product safety problems related to standards.
Societal issues
Following a COPOLCO workshop entitled Corporate social responsibility - concepts and solutions (2002), COPOLCO was successful in initiating a proposal for an international standard on social responsibility.
Services
COPOLCO has developed a guide to assist standards developers to take account of consumer requirements when developing standards for services. It offers a checklist suitable for any service and takes account of the needs of children, older persons, persons with disabilities and those from different ethnic and cultural heritages.
Global market
Three International Standards, originally proposed by COPOLCO and developed in ISO/TC 176, Quality management and quality assurance, have been completed:
Vulnerable populations
COPOLCO has contributed to a guide (ISO/IEC Guide 71:2001) for standards developers on how to deal with issues relating to older persons and persons with disabilities in consumer related standards.
Personal health
The rapid spread of AIDS underlines the importance of high standards for mechanical contraceptives. Work continues apace on contraceptives for both men and women.
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