UNECE Initiatives on Education on Standardization

Abstract

This paper makes an illustrative review of programmes underway in the field of education related to standards and standards related issues. It introduces in detail the work carried out by the UNECE “Working Party on “Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies”—an intergovernmental body that works to promote the use of standards by policy-makers and business especially as regards the implementation of UN-wide goals and agendas.

Appendices

Annex I

UNECE Recommendation I

Education on standards-related issues ⁴⁵

• The Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies,

Recognizing the role and place of standards and of quality infrastructure in accompanying or controlling products during their life cycle,

Underlining the important contribution of standards and regulatory framework (technical regulations , metrology , conformity assessment, accreditation, market surveillance) in the attainment of national and international development goals (including the United Nations Millennium Development Goals) and in promoting sustainable development ,

Recommends that—in collaboration with appropriate intergovernmental and other organizations and academia, and taking into account the activities of global, regional and national standards bodies —Governments should encourage, wherever feasible and where the national legal framework permits:

• (a) the introduction by educational establishments of the subject of standardization into the curricula of educational establishments and particularly of universities for students majoring in technical and scientific subjects, as well as in legal, economic and management studies;

• (b) the vocational education and training of specialists in standardization;

• (c) the enhancement of awareness -raising activities targeted to the business community and regulatory authorities (in particular, trade and customs officials);

• (d) the further study of standardization issues in order to identify best practices in ensuring that standardization and regulatory regimes contribute to meeting the legitimate concerns of society (e.g. human safety, environment) without creating unnecessary technical barriers to trade .

Annex II

The UNECE Proposed model programme on standardization includes the following modules⁴⁶:

• 1. Standardization basics

• 2. Benefits of standardization for society

• 3. Standardization and companies

• 4. National legal and institutional framework

• 5. Regulatory policies and related institutional mechanisms

• 6. Managing risks through standards, regulations and regulatory impact assessments (RIAs)

• 7. Metrology

• 8. Conformity assessment

• 9. Market surveillance

• 10. Management system standards

• 11. International standardization

• 12. International trade , standards and regulations

• 13. Standardization of information requirements and supply chains

• 14. A practical exercise: Standardization within a company

• 15. Policy issues and challenges in standardization.