The Role of Standards in Providing Consumer Protection Norma McCormick Chair, ISO COPOLCO
A world without standards ….??
7 Consumer education: Booklet on ISO graphical symbols
Product Safety + Service Provision + Complaints Handling
12 Current ISO project committees originating with COPOLCO Network services billing, ISO/PC 239 Product recall, ISO/PC 240 Consumer product safety, ISO/PC 243 Cross-border trade of second-hand goods, ISO/PC 245
13 Social responsibility (ISO 26000) Consumers expect organizations to respect the social, economic and natural environment in which they operate Resulted from a COPOLCO proposal on CSR in 2002 Published in November 2010
14 Other priority areas for standardization Sustainability Energy Climate change Services Societal security
Page 15 Standardization is increasingly seen as a complement or even an alternative to regulations.
Technical regulation: benefits of using standards Standards are voluntary Regulations are mandatory Standards referenced in regulations become mandatory Advantages: use of available technical expertise, harmonization across jurisdictions, enhanced trade e.g.: EU legislation refers to European standards e.g.: Malaysia’s laws refer to toy safety standards (ISO 8146) Standards can be incorporated into law through: Direct reference: Number and title of standard, in text of law Indirect reference: Standard registered on a public, official list
ISO COPOLCO’S role and influence on consumer protection COPOLCO was established in 1978 to give consumers a voice within ISO. It reports to the ISO Council. COPOLCO’s role: Help standards to benefit consumers Provide consumers’ network to exchange information Make recommendations on current and potential ISO standardization work Advise ISO on policies and actions to respond to consumers’ needs
Information publications
– Consumers and standards: partnership for a better world CD-ROM and tutorial
20 Consumer network to exchange information ISO Consumer update - eNewsletter
21 ISO Directory of consumer interest participation
THANK YOU 28/11/201522