The National Standards and Quality System

1. The National Standards and Quality System Jean-Louis Racine The World Bank Cambridge, England April 19, 2007 Knowledge Economy Forum VI Technology Acquisition and Knowledge Networks

2. A Snapshot of the National Standards and Quality System National metrology institute National standards body National accreditation body Conformity assessment bodies Firms and other organizations National and international consumers, public health and safety, natural environment

3. Outline • An Introduction to Standards • The Standards Development Process • The Conformity Assessment System • Standards and International Integration

4. An Introduction to Standards

5. An Introduction to Standards Types of Technical Standards: by Function M10 x 1.5-6g-S

6. An Introduction to Standards Types of Technical Standards: by Author Formal standards: standards bodies Market standards: industry Sponsored standards (e.g. Adobe ‘pdf’ file format) Unsponsored standards (e.g. computer keyboard layout)

7. An Introduction to Standards Types of Technical Standards: by Enforceability Global supply chains (e.g. ISO/TS 16949 for auto parts manufacturers)

8. An Introduction to Standards Benefits of standards • Diffuse technology • Diffuse market information • Diffuse information on safety, health and environmental regulations • Allow for specialization and economies of scale • Facilitate trade (especially shared standards) • Reduce transaction and search costs • Allow to harness network externalities • Increase competition by promoting interchangeability

9. The Standards Development Process

10. The Standards Development Process • At the national level: Primary national standards body In decentralized systems only -Accredits -Supervises Develops technical content Technical committees National standards body/ies Coordinates standards program Submits drafts for public review -Votes on standards -Approves standards -Publishes standards Comments on drafts Propose new standards Public (consumers, industry, government, non-profits)

11. The Standards Development Process • At the international and regional level: • International standards organizations: • ISO, IEC, ITU • Regional standards organizations: • CEN, CENELEC for EU/EFTA • EuroAsian Interstate Council for CIS • National participation in standards development is open and voluntary

12. The Conformity Assessment Framework

13. The Conformity Assessment Framework • Certification • Provision of assurance that a product, service, system, process or material conforms to one or more standards or specifications • Often conducted by an independent third-party • Typically involves a number of competing private certification bodies

14. The Conformity Assessment Framework Worldwide total of ISO 9000 certificates (ISO 9001 after 2004) Source: ISO (2006)

15. The Conformity Assessment Framework • Testing, Calibration and Inspection • Testing determines the characteristics or performance of a product or process according to a specific procedure • Inspection relies on less sophisticated instruments than testing • Calibration involves the determination of a measurement’s input and the magnitude or response of its output (accuracy & precision) • Can be done internally or by an independent private body • May be required to implement a quality control system

16. The Conformity Assessment Framework • Accreditation • Formal recognition that an organization or person is competent to carry out specific tasks • E.g. Certification bodies, inspection bodies, testing laboratories and calibration laboratories • Accreditation is done against a specific standard • Typically sought on a voluntary basis • Most countries have a single national accreditation body

17. The Conformity Assessment Framework • Metrology • The study of a system of measures • A National Metrology Institute • Establishes the national measurement system • Develops and diffuses measurement standards for basic units • Diffuses metrological expertise in the economy Measuring length with an interferometer at the UK National Physical Laboratory Source: UK NPL website

18. The Conformity Assessment Framework • The diffusion of measurement units, precision and accuracy in the economy National metrology institute Calibration laboratories Manufacturers, repairers, installers, researchers, universities Retailers, traders, students National and international consumers, public health and safety, natural environment

19. The Conformity Assessment Framework National metrology institute National standards body Definition of units National accreditation body Calibration certificates • Enhanced quality, interoperability and compatibility • New technologies • Enhanced safety and health • Decreased environmental impact • Reduced search costs Accreditation body standards Accreditation Conformity assessment bodies: certification bodies, inspection bodies, calibration laboratories, testing laboratories Certification, inspection, testing and calibration certificates Conformity assessment body standards Firms and other organizations Product, process, material and system standards National and international consumers, public health and safety, natural environment

20. Standards and International Integration

21. Standards and International Integration Standards National standards body Calibrations Regional and international standards & mutual recognition agreements National metrology institute Accreditation National accreditation body • Testing labs • Calibration labs • Inspection bodies • Certification bodies Conformity assessment Firms Exports compliant with regional and global standards Standards Quality, compatibility, safety, health Consumers & the general public

22. Standards and International Integration Standards National standards body Calibrations National metrology institute Accreditation National accreditation body • Testing labs • Calibration labs • Inspection bodies • Certification bodies Conformity assessment Firms Exports compliant with regional and global standards Standards Quality, compatibility, safety, health Consumers & the general public

23. Standards and International Integration National standards body Regional and international standards & mutual recognition agreements National metrology institute National accreditation body • Testing labs • Calibration labs • Inspection bodies • Certification bodies Conformity assessment Firms Exports compliant with regional and global standards Quality, compatibility, safety, health Consumers & the general public

24. Standards and International Integration Standards National standards body Calibrations Regional and international standards & mutual recognition agreements National metrology institute Accreditation National accreditation body • Testing labs • Calibration labs • Inspection bodies • Certification bodies Firms Exports compliant with regional and global standards Quality, compatibility, safety, health Consumers & the general public

25. Standards and International Integration Standards National standards body Calibrations Regional and international standards & mutual recognition agreements National metrology institute Accreditation National accreditation body • Testing labs • Calibration labs • Inspection bodies • Certification bodies Conformity assessment Firms Exports compliant with regional and global standards Standards Quality, compatibility, safety, health Consumers & the general public