Marking World Standards Day on 14 October, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) issued a joint message on this year's theme: "International standards ensure positive change".
According to the heads of these organizations, international standards lead to technical specifications for the voluntary sharing of knowledge and consensus-building. The standardization construction process makes it possible to achieve innovation standards that reduce investment risk. Standards reflect best practice and represent cumulative knowledge.
Positive change through standards is reflected in the definition of specifications for global markets in industry sectors ranging from energy utilities and energy efficiency to transportation, management systems, climate change, healthcare, safety and information and communication technology.
Harmonizing best practices eliminates technical barriers to trade and promotes shared socio-economic progress. These benefits are passed on to the consumer in the form of greater choice of products and services, increased quality and lower prices.
Further information:
- World Standards Day 14 October 2013 http://www.iso.org/iso/world-standards-day2013
- World Standards Day 2013 Message http://www.worldstandardscooperation.org/wsd2013.html#message
