3.5 Key opportunities for consumer input

Section 1.4 provides an introduction to how standards are developed.

ISO and IEC have issued a policy statement that describes steps that NSBs can take to promote consumer participation in the standardization process. Consumer participation is also emphasized in ISO’s Code of Ethics.

Consumer representatives can positively impact standards work in several ways:

  • Generally: by participating in policy or technical groups that decide national priorities for standardization, and that set overall work programmes, and related policy;
  • Specifically: by appointment to a technical committee, subcommittee or working group developing a standard or standards in a particular field;
  • A third way: through Consumers International which, as a liaison organization to ISO, participates in a few international technical committees. Contact a representative organization of Consumers International in your country to find out more.

At the national level: the best source of information on how standards are developed in any particular country is the standardization body in that country (contact details for the ISO network of NSBs are available on ISO’s Web site, ISO Online (www.iso.org).

At the international level, there are seven stages to developing an International Standard. Other types of documents require fewer stages, but reflect a lower degree of consensus.

To ensure that International Standards are kept up to date, they are reviewed periodically, and may be maintained, revised or withdrawn, depending on the results of consultation amongst technical committee members and relevant stakeholders.

One essential feature of the process is that it is formally laid down in the ISO/IEC Directives (the rules that govern the standards development procedure). All International Standards development work must follow this process, which has been established to ensure transparency and fairness. These are two important principles which underpin the credibility of ISO and IEC.

Experience shows that to make a maximum impact, consumer representatives should participate as early in the process as possible.

More information about the seven stages for developing an International Standard and key moments for consumer involvement can be found in the ISO/IEC policy statement on consumer participation.

Two resources exist to help technical experts and stakeholders better understand the process:

My ISO job - Guidance for delegates and experts (International Organization for Standardization)

(This brochure offers delegates and experts a quick reference to the ISO system and its processes.)

 

Joining in – Participating in International Standardization (ISO), 2007. Joining in expands on the information given in My ISO Job.

For more information about International Standards development procedures, see the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1, and the ISO Supplement to the ISO/IEC Directives.

More about specific methods and tactics is suggested in the two resources mentioned in Section 3.4.