The Role of Standards in
Providing Consumer Protection
Norma McCormick
Chair, ISO COPOLCO
2011-05-03
A world without standards ….??
Consumer education: Booklet on ISO graphical symbols
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Product Safety + Service Provision + Complaints Handling
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
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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
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Other priority areas for standardization

Sustainability

Energy

Climate change

Services

Societal security
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Standardization is
increasingly seen as a
complement or even an
alternative to regulations.
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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
http://www.iso.org/sites/consumersStandards/index.htm
–
Consumer network to exchange information
ISO Consumer update - eNewsletter
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ISO Directory of consumer interest participation
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THANK YOU
COPOLCO@ISO.ORG
07/04/2015
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