WSD Message of the Presidents 2014
2014-10-06
World Standards Day 14 October 2014 - Standards level the playing field
Geneva, Switzerland 2014-10-06 – World Standards Day is celebrated each year on 14 October to pay tribute to the thousands of experts who share their know-how and expertise in voluntary International Standards setting. International Standards enable the broad sharing of knowledge and the dissemination of technological advances in developed and developing countries alike.
World Standards Day 2014 celebrates the ways in which Standards level the playing field for all market participants.
We are living in a world that is undergoingprofound transformations at all levels. Economies have never been more interdependent.Today, products that are consumed in one market are no longer “made in one country”; they are “made in the world”. Before they get to the end-consumer, they transit through many countries where manpower or parts add value to the final product.
Small and medium enterprises(SMEs) that useInternational Standards will findit easier to get their products certified and are better able to compete and sell anywhere in the world. With International Standards SMEs are able to take part in global value chains and benefit from technology transfer.
Countries that have mainstreamedInternational Standards in their policies and regulations are able to better protect their populations and give them a bigger choice of quality products.
In a multi-polar world, where the influence and economic weight of emerging economies is shifting the balance of power, International Standards stimulate trade, overcome artificial trade barriers and help level the playing field. This makes companies, industries and economies more competitive, making it easier for them to export, and stimulates diversification nationally and internationally.
The IEC family comprises 166 countries, 98% of the world population and 96% of world energy generation. Many Members celebrate World Standards Day with national activities.
The leaders of the IEC, Dr Junji Nomura, of ISO, Terry Hill and of ITU, Dr Hamadoun I. Touréconclude: International Standards not only make good business sense, they also allow more countries and companies to participate in global trade, stimulating exchange and promoting economic development.
The World Standards Cooperation (WSC) was established in 2001 by the IEC, ISO and the ITU in order to strengthen and advance their voluntary consensus-based International Standards systems. It also promotes the adoption and implementation of international consensus-based standards worldwide; and resolves any outstanding issues regarding cooperation in the technical work of the three organizations.
Further Information
Gabriela Ehrlich
Mob: +41 79 600 56 72 | Skype: gabriela.ehrlich | Email:
About the IEC
The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) brings together 166 countries,
representing 98% of the world population and 96% of world energy generation, and close to 15 000 experts who cooperate on the global, neutral and independent IEC platform to ensure that products work everywhere safely with each other. The IEC is the world's leading organization that prepares and publishes globally relevant International Standards for the whole energy chain, including all electrical, electronic and related technologies, devices and systems. The IEC also supports all forms of conformity assessment and administers four Conformity Assessment Systems that certify that components, equipment and systems used in homes, offices, healthcare facilities, public spaces, transportation, manufacturing, explosive environments and energy generation conform to them.
IEC work covers a vast range of technologies: power generation (including all renewable energy sources), transmission, distribution, Smart Grid & Smart Cities, batteries, home appliances, office and medical equipment, all public and private transportation, semiconductors, fibre optics, nanotechnology, multimedia, information technology, and more. It also addresses safety, EMC, performance and the environment.