ISO - International Organization for Standardization

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Review questions – Section 1

Results

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All your correct answers are in blue. Any wrong answer is in red.

1a) Which of the following aspects of goods and services can be addressed by a standard?
All of the following
	Quality
	Ecology or environmental aspects
	Safety
	Reliability
	Compatibility
	Interoperability
	Efficiency
1b) Are there any aspects of goods and services that cannot be addressed by a standard?
Yes and No	For example, price cannot be directly addressed in a standard. However, the price may be affected by costs associated with meeting the requirements of the relevant standard.

2) Indicate whether each of the following nine statements about standards are true (checked) or false
True
	a. Standards avoid having to reinvent the wheel as they distil the latest knowledge and make it available to all.
	c. Standards can ensure vital features of goods and services are consistent (features such as, quality, ecology, safety, reliability, interoperability and so on).
	d. International standards can help to make the development, manufacturing and supply of goods and services more efficient, safer and cleaner.
	g. International standards can make trade between countries easier and fairer.
	h. Standards are effective and commonly used to support technical regulations.
	i. International standards can be adopted as national standards by members of ISO and IEC
False
	b. Standards restrict and stultify innovation and technical development.
	e. Standards are a waste of time and effort.
	f. Standards for consumer products serve the purposes of manufacturers, and consumers are irrelevant.

3) Which of the following is the ‘formal’ definition of a standard laid down in ISO/IEC Directives and also used by NSBs: A or B?
B : Formal	A standard is a document established by a consensus and approved by a recognized body, that provides for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimal degree of order in a given context.
A	A standard is a document established by a consensus of subject matter experts and approved by a recognized body that provides guidance on the design, use or performance of products, processes, services, systems or persons.
Explanations:
	B is the formal definition but A is a useful working description in easier language!

4) Which words in the drop down box below fit the gaps in these sentences?
Besides being international, ISO and IEC Standards are referred to as ‘voluntary Standards’
A Standard (either national or international) becomes mandatory when it is used as a basis for legislation.
A standard is mandatory only in the jurisdiction covered by the legislation

5) Which of the following in this list are objectives of ISO/COPOLCO? (choose one or more)
True
	a. Promote the positive role of standards in consumer protection
	c. Support the development of consumer participation in standards development.
	e. Make ISO/COPOLCO services available to ISO members worldwide
False
	b. Encourage consumer organizations in the world to join ISO/COPOLCO
	d. Develop standards which have a role in consumer protection
Explanations:
	b: ISO/ COPOLCO’s membership is drawn from those National Standards Bodies (157 at end December 2007) that are members of ISO. Consumer organizations can participate in COPOLCO activities through their NSB.
	d: ISO/COPOLCO is a policy Committee of ISO and does not itself develop standards. It can recommend to ISO that particular standards are developed and can encourage consumer representatives to participate.

Issues for Consideration
	How are national standards produced in your country? To what extent does your country rely on international standards, perhaps with modifications, for national use?
Your answer:
	How are standards implemented in your country?
Your answer:

2. How standards benefit consumers