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Implementing the ISO/IEC Statement on Consumer Participation in Standardization Work

Implementing the ISO/IEC Statement on Consumer Participation in Standardization Work. John Drengenberg Consumer Affairs Manager Underwriters Laboratories Inc. USNC Technical Management Committee January 17, 2003. November 2001 ISO/IEC Consumer Participation Statement.

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Implementing the ISO/IEC Statement on Consumer Participation in Standardization Work

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  1. Implementing the ISO/IEC Statement on Consumer Participation in Standardization Work John Drengenberg Consumer Affairs Manager Underwriters Laboratories Inc. USNC Technical Management Committee January 17, 2003

  2. November 2001 ISO/IEC Consumer Participation Statement • Standards should be based on consensus of all interested parties, including consumers • “Consumer" is understood to mean an individual member of the general public, purchasing or using goods, property or services, for private purposes • Taking consumer views into account helps to ensure market relevance of standards work programmes • Consumers face difficulties participating in standardization due to lack of financial resources and technical expertise • Standards bodies should encourage and support consumer participation in standardization work

  3. Thirteen ISO/IEC RecommendationsNational bodies should . . . • support ISO and IEC initiatives aimed at encouraging consumer representation in standardization • involve consumers in planning standards work programmes, both national and international, and in policy matters • invite consumers to participate in all technical committees having standards projects affecting consumer interests • “enable” consumers to participate in priority areas if consumers are not able to finance their participation • seek the active participation of consumers in national delegations • be assisted by TCs in identifying new work items of particular interest to consumers

  4. Thirteen ISO/IEC RecommendationsNational bodies should . . . • provide consumers with guidance and training on standards procedures, and briefings on technical issues • ensure effective communication with consumers and encourage feedback, e.g. via the Internet • sound out consumer opinion through consumer organizations • seek consumer input at all stages of the standardization process and, working with TCs, establish a process for identifying priority areas of consumer interest • learn from other national bodies • provide a mechanism to allow consumer representatives to request the initiation of standards projects • coordinate all activities arising from these recommendations within the same country

  5. COPOLCO Interest in IEC • COPOLCO notes that it is an appropriate time to re-evaluate the relationship between COPOLCO and IEC in the light of the retirement of the IEC representative . . . (COPOLCO Resolution 14/2002, June 2002) • Until recently, Maureen Hersee, of the U.K. National Committee, was the primary liaison between IEC and COPOLCO, reporting to COPOLCO annually on work in ACOS, IEC/TC 61, etc. She has now retired and a successor liaison has not been appointed.

  6. COPOLCO Interest in IEC • IEC/TC 23, Electrical accessories • IEC/TC 34, Lamps and related equipment • IEC/TC 35, Primary cells and batteries • IEC/TC 59, Performance of household electrical appliances • IEC/TC 61, Safety of household and similar electrical appliances • COPOLCO will maintain a “watching brief” on these activities • Little/no U.S. consumer representatives involved according to recent ANSI CIF survey of TAGs • Emerging issue raised by JISC: photo sensitive epilepsy / image safety. Work going on in ITU; COPOLCO inquiring whether some aspects may fall within IEC’s jurisdiction

  7. Promoting Use of ISO/IEC Guides is of concern to COPOLCO • Little is known regarding the use and effectiveness of ISO/IEC Guides • COPOLCO believes Guides should be readily accessible to TCs • COPOLCO exploring with ISO a possible survey of TCs regarding use of Guides

  8. ISO/IEC Guides of Interest to COPOLCO Guide 14 – Purchase information on goods and services intended for consumers (under revision) Guide 37 – Instructions for use of products of consumer interest Guide 41 – Packaging—Recommendations for addressing consumer needs (under revision) Guide 46 – Comparative testing of consumer products and related services—General principles Guide 50 – Child safety and standards – General guidelines Guide 51 – Safety aspects – Guidelines for their inclusion in standards Guide 71 – Guidelines for standards developers to address the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities Guide 74 – Consumer requirements concerning graphic symbols (draft)

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