4th SG13 Regional Workshop for Africa on
“Future Networks for a better Africa: IMT-2020,
Trust, Cloud Computing and Big Data”
(Accra, Ghana, 14-15 March 2016)
Importance of Standardization
James Hammond,
Standards Division
Ghana Standards Authority
jhammond@gsa.gov.gh
STANDARDIZATION
 Standardization
consist of the process of formulating, issuing and
implementing standards.
What are standards?
⁻ A technical document established by consensus
⁻ and approved by a recognized body
⁻ that provides for common and repeated use, rules,
guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results,
aimed at achievement of the optimum degree of order in a
given context.
(ISO/IEC Guide 2:2004, Standardization and related activities -- General vocabulary.)
WHAT ARE STANDARDS CONT’D
A recognized document that defines good practice
Defines the characteristics of products, processes and services
Help us to judge if a product, process or service is :
- good or bad
- right or wrong
- safe or unsafe
- acceptable or unacceptable
It ensures goods and services meet requirements of target
markets
Standards should be based on the consolidated results of science,
technology and experience, and aimed at the promotion of
optimum community benefits
PRINCIPLES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF STANDARDS
Based on consensus
The views of all interests are taken into account. there must
be a general agreement
Industry wide solutions
Global solutions to satisfy the needs of industries and
consumers
PRINCIPLES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF STANDARDS
Voluntary
standardization is market driven and therefore based on
voluntary involvement of all interests in the market-place.
Stakeholder involvement
Standards are developed through Technical Committees (TC)
made up of Experts from : Academia, manufacturers, traders,
users, consumer groups, testing laboratories, government
agencies, research institutions etc.
LEVELS & TYPES
INDUSTRY
COMPANY
REGIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
PRIVATE
NATIONAL
IMPORTANCE OF STANDARDS
Increased market share – ensures business operations are as
efficient as possible thus increase productivity and market
share
Cost savings - help optimize operations and therefore reduce
production cost
Enhanced customer satisfaction - helps improve quality,
enhance customer satisfaction and increase sales
IMPORTANCE OF STANDARDS
Access to new markets - helps prevent trade barriers and
open up global markets
Consumer Safety – consumers can have confidence that the
product is safe, reliable and of good quality.
Environmental benefits - helps reduce negative impacts on
the environment
IMPORTANCE OF STANDARDS
Support to Public policy - By integrating a standard into
national regulation, governments can benefit from the
opinion of experts without having to call on their services
directly
THANK YOU
QUESTIONS ??
COMMENTS