ISO Action Plan for
developing countries
2011-2015
ISO
the International
Organization for
Standardization
ISO has a membership of 163*
ISO only develops standards for
national standards bodies from
which there is a clear market
countries large and small, in­
requirement. The work is carried
dustrialized, developing and
out by experts in the subject
in transition, in all regions of
drawn directly from the indus­
the world. ISO’s portfolio of
trial, technical and business
over 18 500* standards pro­
sectors that have identified
vides busi­n ess, government and
the need for the standard, and
­s ociety with practical tools for
which subsequently put the
all three dimensions of sustain­
standard to use. These experts
able development: economic,
may be joined by others with
environmental and social.
relevant knowledge, such as
representatives of government
ISO standards make a positive
agencies, testing laboratories,
contribution to the world we live
consumer associations and
in. They facilitate trade, spread
academia, and by international
knowledge, disseminate inno­
governmental and nongovern­
vative advances in technol­o gy,
mental organizations.
and share good management
and conformity assessment
An ISO International Standard
practices.
represents a global consensus
on the state of the art in the
ISO standards provide solutions
subject of that standard.
and achieve benefits for almost
all sectors of activity, including
agriculture, construction, me­
chanical engineering, manufac­
turing, distribution, transport,
medical devices, information
and communication technol­
ogies, the environment, energy,
quality management, conformity
assessment and services.
ISO Ac tion Plan for Developing Countries 2011-2015
* At the end of October 2010.
2011-2015
ISO AC TION PLAN FOR
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GLOBAL VISION FOR
ISO IN 2015
To be the world’s leading
provider of high quality,
globally relevant International
Standards through its members
and stakeholders
ISO ’S KE Y OBJEC TIVE
FOR DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES
The capacity and participation
of developing countries in
international standardization is
significantly enhanced
While ISO, with support from
Foreword
donors, can assist developing
country members to make the
Developing country members
play a major role in directing the
whole process of ISO technical
assistance. The tools used to
best use of being a member of
ISO, the objectives of this
Action Plan can only be
achieved if members take full
implement the current Action
Plan 2005-2010 will continue to
be used and refined, as necessary, to help developing country
members identify their needs
ownership in the implementation
of the activities identified under
each output. In particular, ISO
members should make every
effort to promote standardi-
and measure the effectiveness
zation in their countries in order
of actions undertaken.
to secure funds from stakeholders and relevant organiza-
Developing country members
tions to implement the activities
have a responsibility to
of the Plan.
monitor the implementation of
the Action Plan through the
The ISO Action Plan for
annual meeting of the ISO
developing countries 2011-2015
Committee on developing
will be administered by the
country matters (DEVCO).
Development and Training
They also have a duty to
Services (DEVT) unit at the ISO
ensure that the technical
assistance they receive benefits
Central Secretariat (ISO/CS).
all stakeholders at the national
level and they are expected
to assist ISO in measuring the
impacts of such assistance.
ISO Ac tion Plan for Developing Countries 2011-2015
Goal
(overall objec tive)
Purpose
(shor t-term objec tive)
O utputs
(results)
To contribute to improving
To strengthen the national
Expected outputs from the
developing countries’ economic
standardization infrastructure in
implementation of the activities
growth and access to world
developing countries in order to
under the Action Plan 2011-2015
markets, enhancement of the lives
increase their involvement in the
aim at increasing participation of
of citizens, fostering innovation and
development, adoption and
developing countries in ISO
technical progress and achieving
implementation of International
technical work, enhancing
sustainable development when
Standards in sectors and subjects
capacity-building efforts, raising
considered from each of the
of interest to them
awareness of the benefits of
economic, environmental and
standardization and the need for
societal perspectives
involvement in standardization
activities, strengthening ISO
members in developing countries
at the institutional level,
encouraging better regional
cooperation, and better integrating
the subject of standardization in
educational curricula.
ISO Ac tion Plan for Developing Countries 2011-2015
1
O utput 1:
Increased
par ticipation in ISO
technical work
developing country representa-
Ac tivities
●
tives to carry out roles related
to leadership positions in ISO
Developing countries identify
committees (chair, secretary,
relevant subject areas so that
convener) or to enter into twin-
activities to assist involvement
leadership provides information
The involvement of developing
on the role and activities of TCs
countries in the technical work
●
●
Organise regional/national
to facilitate this
training for ISO members in
Encourage the establishment of
use of ISO e-tools to participate
developing countries on the
performed by ISO technical
committees (TCs), subcommit-
ning/partnership arrangements
are focused. ISO/CS and TC/SC
tees (SCs) and working groups
twinning/partnership arrange-
(WGs) is essential in order to
ments between ISO members in
ensure that their interests are
developing and developed coun-
taken into account, and this
tries. Measure the effectiveness
contributes to strengthen the
of such arrangements by the
in standards development work.
Ensure ISO e-tools evolve to
meet developing country needs.
Target group
increase in leadership positions
global relevance of ISO and of
its deliverables.
held by developing countries
ISO members in developing
over the period of this Action
countries and their key stake-
Plan
holders including industry; national,
state/provincial and local
●
Provide resources for developing
government; consumers and
country participants to attend
consumer groups; professional
and effectively contribute to
bodies/associations; the quality/
meetings of TCs, SCs and WGs
conformity assessment institutions;
that are of relevance to them
organized labour; educational and
research establishments; non-
●
Clearly identify what skills and
governmental organizations (NGOs);
experience are needed to
all ISO members on issues such as
increase participation in ISO
twinning/partnership.
technical work and provide
regional training and/or distancelearning courses to help ISO
members build these skills and
experience directly and amongst
their stakeholders. Specifically
provide training that will equip
ISO Ac tion Plan for Developing Countries 2011-2015
2
O utput 2 :
Capacity built in
standardization and
related matters for ISO
members and their
stakeholders
Ac tivities
●
munication technology (ICT)
●
Developing countries identify
equipment and train NSB staff
relevant subject areas so that
in its use in selected countries to
activities to build capacity are
enable ISO members to partici-
focused. ISO/CS and members
pate more effectively in ISO
provide assistance and
technical work
mentoring to facilitate this
●
Capacity-building activities for
Provide information and com-
●
the staff of national standards
bodies (NSBs), their key stake-
Provide and encourage the use
Identify needs and develop and
of distance learning courses in
conduct regional/national
key aspects of international
workshops and courses on
standardization
selected standardization
holders and national experts aim
subjects, in particular those
●
Establish modules and training
at providing guidance on good
where International Standards of
courses that show the value of
practices in standardization that
relevance to the developing
participation in standardization
the NSB applies in the national
country are under development
activity by stakeholder groups
standardization infrastructure.
or review
of the ISO member in developing
countries. Target initiatives to
Activities are also carried out to
develop the skills and knowledge
●
of experts to participate in international standardization work.
Identify needs and conduct
areas where the NSB is carrying
regional/national training-of-
out standardization activity or
trainers programmes, including
sees potential in carrying out
subsequent mentoring of train-
standardization activity.
ees, aimed at creating a pool of
resources at the disposal of
Target group
users of International Standards
in order to guide them in
ISO members in developing
applying these standards
countries and their key stakeholders including industry; national,
●
ISO Ac tion Plan for Developing Countries 2011-2015
Identify needs and develop and
state/provincial and local govern-
disseminate training manuals
ment; consumers and consumer
and packages (e.g. presenter’s
groups; professional bodies/asso-
pack, participant’s pack, videos
ciations; organized labour; educa-
and background documents) on
tional and research establishments;
selected standardization subjects
NGOs; organizations from the na-
that are of relevance to ISO
tional quality infrastructure; organi-
members in developing countries
zations with limited resources, e.g.
and their stakeholders
small and medium enterprises.
3
O utput 3 :
Awareness improved on
the role and benefits of
International
Standards and their
use. International
Standards are therefore
increasingly used
Ac tivities
Where a standard is published
that is of particular interest and
●
Developing countries identify
value to a stakeholder or stake-
relevant subject areas so that
holders, publicise this to them,
activities to raise awareness are
showing clearly how this will
focused. ISO/CS and members
assist them in meeting their
provide assistance and mentoring
objectives and goals.
to facilitate this
●
Building awareness on the
importance of using standards
in all spheres of economic
activity to achieve sustainable
development goals is a key
element of national quality
policies. It is also useful in
●
Target group
Identify those key stakeholders
where activity should be
ISO members in developing
concentrated and develop a
countries and their key stake-
programme that will result in a
holders; government policy makers,
consistent and coherent message,
e.g. in the area of environment,
of relevance to the stakeholder,
industry, economic planning, health
and show the benefit of Inter-
and safety, international trade,
national Standards and their use
consumer protection; regulatory
to that stakeholder
authorities; the general public;
export industry sectors; trade
Conduct global/regional/national
promotion organizations; World
engaging stakeholders and the
awareness raising events
Trade Organization (WTO) and
ultimate users of International
(conferences, seminars,
Codex Alimentarius Commission
Standards in national and inter-
workshops)
focal points.
●
national standardization work.
●
Organize contests at the global
level to sensitize specific target
groups on key standardization
issues
●
Develop and disseminate ISO
publications related to standardization (in printed and in
electronic forms, including use
of Web-based services, new
media and communication
platforms such as social
networks)
ISO Ac tion Plan for Developing Countries 2011-2015
4
O utput 4 :
ISO members in
developing countries
strengthened at
institutional level
Ac tivities
●
Provide guidance and advice to
senior management of NSBs
●
Developing countries identify
through short-term consultancy
impediments so that activities
missions to meet a clearly
to strengthen their roles at the
identified need(s)
institutional level are focused.
This includes ensuring processes
●
Encourage partnerships between
and systems used in standardi-
the beneficiary ISO members
National standards bodies
zation assist in strengthening
and other ISO members, both
operate in various types of legal
the role of the NSB. ISO/CS and
from developing as well as
and institutional frameworks,
members provide assistance and
developed countries (attachment
mentoring to facilitate this
training and fellowships,
as well as in different business
mentoring, exchange of good
environments not sufficiently
aware of the benefits of
●
standards, which sometimes
makes it difficult for them to
operate at optimum level. A
strong, competent and credible
Organize global/regional/national
practice manuals and pro-
workshops and courses for
cedures). Measure effectiveness
senior and middle management
of such partnerships and use
NSB staff based on ISO publi-
this to further improve all such
cations on institutional strength-
partnerships.
ening matters; topics that may
Target group
NSB is key for ensuring
be covered include formulation
adequate participation in inter-
of a national standardization
national standardization work
strategy; marketing and com-
Selected ISO members in
and for the implementation of
munication; management
developing countries and their
standards.
support; diversifying sources of
related bodies (Council/Board
revenue; ICT infrastructure;
members, committee members,
enhancing NSB role in national
organizations providing direct
quality infrastructure-building
financial resources, etc.).
with partner international and
regional organizations; stakeholder involvement; support for
good governance in NSBs and
in ISO’s governance bodies; etc.
Measure effectiveness of such
events and use this to further
improve such events
ISO Ac tion Plan for Developing Countries 2011-2015
5
O utput 5 :
Regional cooperation
strengthened
Ac tivities
exchange of experience among
ISO members and other partners
Developing countries identify
standardization and related
areas for regional cooperation
matters. Measure effectiveness
so that activities to strengthen
of such resources and use this
this cooperation are focused.
to further improve the skills and
ISO/CS and members provide
experience available in such
assistance and mentoring to
resources
facilitate this
at the regional and sub-regional
harmonization of national and
Create and share a pool of
training resources/expertise on
●
Regional cooperation to foster
levels, including in the field of
●
●
●
regional standards to International Standards, is an essen-
Cooperate with regional and
Organise fora and meetings
sub-regional organizations,
involving the CEOs of ISO
involved in standardization or
members to exchange
standard-related activities, in the
experience, inter alia, on good
field of technical assistance
tial step to enable developing
practices in standardization;
(training, awareness-raising,
countries to address the chal-
NSB governance and stake-
capacity building) and for
lenges of globalization and
holder involvement; raising
translation of ISO publications in
integrate more effectively in
awareness of policy makers;
the language most used within
the multilateral trading system.
financial sustainability; linkages
the respective regions. Measure
Issues such as regional econo-
between the NSB and regulatory
effectiveness of such cooperation
mic, environmental and societal
authorities; and meeting
and use this to evaluate the
customer needs for achieving
benefit of such cooperation to all
long-term sustainability. Measure
parties and further improve all
effectiveness of such events and
such cooperation.
sustainability are identified and
appropriate responses from
ISO members in the region are
use this to further improve future
formulated
●
events
Target group
Encourage the development of
ISO members in developing
cooperation/collaboration
countries and their key stake-
agreements among ISO
holders; regional and sub-regional
members, potential ISO members
organizations involved in
and other partners at regional
standardization or standard-related
and sub-regional levels. Measure
activities.
effectiveness of such agreements
and use this to further improve
future agreements
ISO Ac tion Plan for Developing Countries 2011-2015
6
O utput 6 :
Introduc tion of
the subjec t of
standardization as par t
of educational
curricula initiated
It is widely recognized that
knowledge of standardization
Ac tivities
●
Developing countries identify
ISO members in developing
areas for discussion / working
countries; institutions of higher
with academia so that activities
education (universities, colleges,
to strengthen this cooperation
business schools, institutes of
are focused. ISO/CS and
technology, etc.); primary and
members provide assistance and
secondary schools.
mentoring to facilitate this
●
Encourage the strengthening of
relations between ISO members
and its benefits for business,
and academic institutions at the
government and society is
national level. Measure effective-
increasingly considered an
ness of such encouragement
essential “toolbox” for future
and use this in training or other
professionals and managers in
fora
both public and private sectors.
While the need for integrating
●
Develop and disseminate
the subject of standardization in
educational material (information
higher education is clear, there
booklets, publications, distance
learning tools) in cooperation
is also scope for educating the
with ISO members and academic
younger generations at the level
institutions
of primary and secondary levels
on specific topics.
●
Organize conferences and
seminars on standardization
in collaboration with institutes
of higher education and relevant
international organizations
involved in this area
●
Promote the ISO Award for
Higher Education in Standardization. Measure effectiveness of
the Award and use this to ensure
the objectives of the Award are
being met.
ISO Ac tion Plan for Developing Countries 2011-2015
Target group
ISO ’s added value
is based on :
●
Recognized experience
in international consensus
building
●
Wide recognition of brand and name on the world scene
●
Robust, well-proven processes that are transparent, inclusive
and open to ensure that ISO standards are the result of strong
●
consensus among a wide range of relevant stakeholders
A broad range of deliverables
covering most sectors of the
economy, and core issues
affecting the environment and society
●
Strong national membership base which ensures broad
consensus, wide dissemination
of ISO deliverables and market
feedback for their maintenance
and development
●
●
Extensive networking, at both
international and regional levels
Ability to provide International Standards to assist in the
implementation of regulations
●
Leadership in the production of standards and guides for conformity assessment
●
Leadership in the use of IT
tools for the production and
dissemination of standards.
ISO Ac tion Plan for Developing Countries 2011-2015
ISO Central Secretariat
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Case postale 56
CH-1211 Genève 20
Switzerland
Tel.: +41 22 749 0111
Fax : +41 22 733 34 30
E-mail : central@iso.org
Web : www.iso.org
© ISO, 2010-11/3 000
All rights reser ved.
ISBN 978-92-67-10541-3