International Organization
for Standardization
www.iso.org
February 2009
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Using valuable resources
Networks and accessing knowledge
DEVCO/COPOLCO Workshop
Train the trainers
Paris, France
20-25 February 2009
Acknowledgements to: Association française de normalisation (AFNOR), ISO/DEVCO and
COPOLCO Secretariats, Consumers International
February 2009
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Using valuable resources –
Committees and organizations which help
This input gives information on networks and accessing
knowledge, which can offer you the practical support to
build on previous inputs.
It will cover the objectives and activities of :
COPOLCO (ISO’s consumer policy advisory
committee)
DEVCO (ISO’s developing country policy advisory
committee)
CI (Consumers International)
Others
February 2009
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Using valuable resources – ISO structure
February 2009
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Using valuable resources –
Networks and accessing knowledge
The members of COPOLCO and DEVCO are NSBs
The members of CI are consumer organizations
NSB delegations attending COPOLCO may include
representatives from NSBs, national consumer
organizations and government departments.
CI has liaison with COPOLCO
February 2009
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Using valuable resources – COPOLCO
Membership
Over 100 members – about 2/3 of ISO’s
membership
Worldwide membership from Europe, Asia, Africa,
Americas, Middle East
Over half of the membership comes from
developing and transitional economies
Active liaison with CI and OECD
February 2009
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Using valuable resources – COPOLCO
objectives and role in ISO
Reports to ISO Council
Helps consumers benefit from standardization
Forum for exchange of information
Advises on current and potential ISO work
Advises ISO on policies and actions to respond to
consumers’ needs
February 2009
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Using valuable resources –
COPOLCO activities
Provides information and Web site about consumers and
standards. www.iso.org - consumer issues
Alerts members to ISO standards work
Responds to members’ requests for information about
standardization and policy matters
Holds an annual plenary with an open Workshop on subject
relevant to standards and consumers
Provides training and networking possibilities (conferences,
contact lists, and training – with DEVT)
Especially: input consumer views at the international level for
policy and standards matters.
February 2009
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Using valuable resources – COPOLCO
Participation
ISO member bodies or correspondent members can
become members of COPOLCO: send a written
request to the ISO Central Secretariat.
National organizations interested in participating in the
work of COPOLCO can do this: coordinate with the
ISO NSB.
CI members can also work through Consumers
International.
February 2009
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Using valuable resources:COPOLCO
communication
COPOLCO
Members
(100+ NSBs)
COPOLCO
Secretariat
National
Consumer
Bodies
Membership
CI
in 115+
countries
COPOLCO
Working Groups
(Consumer
Experts)
February 2009
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Using valuable resources –
COPOLCO opportunities for networking
COPOLCO annual Plenary and Chair’s Group
Annual “open” workshop addressing a topical
consumer issue
Working groups including:

Consumer Priorities

Training

Global market place issues

Product safety
February 2009
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Using valuable resources – COPOLCO
publications
COPOLCO produces information material and policy statements.
These include:
Distance learning module - Consumers and standards:
partnership for a better world
ISO and the consumer
Your voice matters
The Consumer and standards - Guidance and principles for
consumer participation in standards development
ISO/IEC Statement on consumer participation in standardization
work
ISO/IEC Statement on the needs of elderly and persons with
disabilities
February 2009
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Using valuable resources – Information
publications
February 2009
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Using valuable resources – ISO Committee on
developing country matters (DEVCO)
ISO/DEVCO reports to the ISO Council
Established in 1961
Forum for the identification of needs, exchange of
experience and best practices in standardization and
related matters in developing countries
Monitors the implementation of the ISO Action Plan for
Developing Countries 2005-2010
ISO/DEVT = Development and Training Services unit at
the ISO Central Secretariat
February 2009
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Using valuable resources –
Key DEVCO objectives 2005 - 2010
Improve awareness
Develop capacity
Increase national and regional
cooperation
Develop electronic communication
and expertise in IT tools
Increase participation in governance
and technical work of ISO
February 2009
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Using valuable resources –
DEVCO’s current priorities
Providing training in standards
development and promoting
international standards
Capacity building for effective
participation of developing countries in
the SR process
Strengthening regional activities and
building strategic partnerships
During the past 12 months, 2 644 participants from 96
countries have benefited from technical assistance and
training under the ISO Action Plan for developing countries
February 2009
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Using valuable resources – Consumers
International (CI)
The only independent global campaigning
voice for consumers
Over 220 member organizations in 115
countries
Building a powerful international
consumer movement to help protect and
empower consumers everywhere
CI and its members work with relevant
organizations at the national and
international level to ensure standards
contribute to meeting consumer needs
February 2009
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Using valuable resources –
CI membership criteria
Not for profit
No grants/donations from business
No political party affiliations
National agenda covering range of consumer
issues
Substantial track record
February 2009
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Using valuable resources –
CI’s objectives
For all consumers to have access to safe and
sustainable goods and services
For standards to effectively contribute to this needs
recognition by government NSBs and COs, of the:
 Necessity
 Value
of consumer representation
of consumer representation
 Role
of standards in consumer protection and
legislation
...and the resources that are needed
to make this happen
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Why CI is involved in standards?
Standards contribute to accessing safe and sustainable
goods and services
International standards should reflect the needs of all
economies, regions and stakeholders
Consumer issues such as environment, sustainability,
CSR, and services are now being addressed by
standards
Recognition of standards as a tool to provide consumer
protection
February 2009
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Using valuable resources –
CI role in standards
CI has liaison status with ISO, ISO /COPOLCO and
IEC
CI’s members can participate fully in their country’s
NSBs
CI coordinates the work of its members to promote
sharing of expertise and to target priority issues
CI’s representatives can bring the global consumer
voice direct to international standards meetings
February 2009
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Using valuable resources – CI
Communication/Networking
CI website with members’ intranet
Regional membership services officers
CI member standards list serve
Membership Campaign Working Groups
COPOLCO
February 2009
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Using valuable resources – CI
Information/policy papers
First steps in standards representation: a guide for
consumer organizations
 Basic
and clear guidance on how to participate in
standards
 Free
to download on-line from the CI website
CI also develops policy papers and positions on standards
within their strategic priorities.
Publicly available documents can be found on the website;
others are for member access only.
Consumer organizations are also important in ensuring the
adoption, implementation, and market surveillance of
standards, e.g. product testing. Many consumer organizations
have their own national publications and websites.
February 2009
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Using valuable resources:
COPOLCO/DEVCO Training – Toronto 2005
CI works with ISO/COPOLCO and ISO/DEVT
on training activities like this!
February 2009
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Using valuable resources – other
opportunities
Don’t forget to be vigilant and explore other resource and
network opportunities such as:
Activities related to World Standards Day
National priorities
The work of International agencies e.g. UNIDO,
UN/ECE, WHO
National/regional development agencies e.g. SIDA,
EU
NSB technical development programmes
February 2009
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