Public policy, regulation and standardization:
Quarterly Newsletter - August 2018
Monideep Dey, PhD
This newsletter by Monideep Deyis published every quarter to inform subscribers of developments in the field of public policy, regulation and standardization in developing economies. The principal of Deytec, Inc. USA, Monideep Dey, PhD, is an expert on public policy, regulation and standardization matters (including conformity assessment) for developing countries pursuing economic development through increased trade and competitiveness.
Deytec, Inc. is a company member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and a voting member of the International Conformity Assessment Committee which is the U.S. interface to the ISO Council Committee on Conformity Assessment (ISO CASCO). ISO CASCO writes standards and guides for the effective operation of conformity assessment bodies and activities which are important for international trade.
Importance of National Quality Infrastructure Identified
The World Bank Group, UNIDO, ISO and other international development organizations have determined that a National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) is required for the effective operation of domestic markets, and international recognition to foreign markets. It is a critical element in sustaining economic development and environmental and social well being. It is defined as the organizations public and private that establishes and implement standardization, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment and market surveillance. This topic was discussed at the 51st DEVCO meeting in Berlin, Germany.
Deytec, Inc. Workshops on the National Quality Infrastructure
Workshop in ZAMBIA on Trade and Investment
Deytec, Inc., in partnership with ANSI and USAID (Standards Alliance), conducted workshops on NQI in 2018 at:
ZAMBIA;
GHANA;
COTE D'IVOIRE; and
SENEGAL
Information on the importance and initiatives for developing a national quality infrastructure was presented by Monideep Dey, including the availability of ISO CASCO conformity assessment standards which serve as a critical element in a NQI and international trade. Attendees brought forward significant challenges they face in exporting their products, and also on many issues concerning consumer protection.
International and national development organizations are presently providing grants for technical assistance for improvements of the NQI in developing economies.
51st Meeting of the ISO Committee on Developing Country Matters, September 2017, Berlin, GERMANY
2017 DEVCO Meeting and ISO General Assembly, Berlin, Germany
Deytec, Inc. attended the 51st DEVCO meeting and the 40th ISO General Assembly in Berlin, GERMANY hosted by DIN in September, 2017. The theme of the conference was "Open-minded. Open for change. The path to standardization contains lots of new challenges. The world around us is changing at an enormous pace. New technologies and innovations call for new ideas and more flexible standardization processes.... " ISO issued a declaration at the assembly to guide its path forward to a changing world. The emergence of developing economies and their desire for economic growth is part of this changing world.
One of the key results of the DEVCO meeting was the creation of two DEVCO working groups, including one for the identification of standardization areas of primary interest to developing countries. A survey is planned to solicit suggestions on the matter. This is a key initiative since technical and conformity assessment standards (international quality infrastructure) aimed at the needs of developing economies for economic growth is necessary, in addition to improvements of the national quality infrastructure in those economies.
