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