3.4 Where to go next to get involved
At some stage, you or your association will hopefully want to participate directly in a technical committee to advocate on behalf of consumers and contribute to a standards body’s work programme. Alternatively, you may want to indirectly influence standards-setting by helping to focus a government agency’s activities in standardization.
How can this be done practically, with the greatest impact?
Actions need to be taken individually and collectively to maximize the return on investment of time, money and energy by a consumer representative, committee or association.
The first thing to do is to assess the situation. Start by asking some questions:
About the standards framework:
- How is standardization organized in your country, and how effective is it?
- Where do consumer issues fit in, how are they considered?
- What standards are needed by consumers in your country?
About consumer associations or groups:
- Are consumer groups organized and, if so, how?
- How do local laws, culture, and standards organizations affect consumer representation?
- What are the consumer priorities?
- What is the consumer impact?