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INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZATION

International standardization includes many fields of technology and goods exchange – e.g. mechanical engineering, heavy metals, textile, packaging, environmental protection, transport of goods, power production and distribution, banking and financial services, as well as electrical engineering, information technology and telecommunications – to mention only a few.

Why is international standardization necessary?

The existence of non-harmonized standards for related technologies in various countries or regions could lead to what is generally called "barriers to trade". Export-oriented manufacturers have for a long time now been aware that international standards - whose contents are accepted with consensus by all interested countries - are necessary, as they make international trading easier for them. The greatest advantages of international standardization reflect in:

Global progress and liberalization of trade: Modern ways of trading with the focus on "free market" require free access to the market and equal competition based on impartial criteria for all. International standards provide such clearly defined, general guidance and criteria, which are equally recognized by trading partners worldwide.

Presentation and linking of individual areas: Today, no branch of industry can remain completely independent and autonomous.  Individual components, products, ways of use and maintenance, and finally, also their disposal after their term expires, belong to different areas and should be treated in an inter-disciplinary way, and this is why their standards have to be harmonized, too.

Compatibility of communication systems: Computer industry is a good example of technology that needs rapid and state-of-the-art standardization on an international scale.  Complete compatibility between open systems will enable sound competition between the manufacturers, and offer to the users the possibility of free choice. Open exchange of information encourages innovation, improves productivity and reduces cost.

Development of standards for new technologies: Starting at a very early stage, standardization programs involve the work in new fields (e.g. new materials, environmental concern, space and building urbanization) by first defining the terminology and creating databases for comprehensive information, so that everybody can speak the same language.

Care for the developing countries: Counties which have only just begun building their industry and setting up their standardization infrastructure, are beginning to realize that the use of international standards is a prerequisite for increasing their productivity, raising their competitiveness on the market, and for their export orientation.

Trust of the users: Products and services that are able to prove their conformity with international standards rate higher on the market. The trust in quality and safety can often be attained through a simple statement by the supplier, or even greater, through a certificate issued by an independent certification body.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANIZATIONS

The international standards organizations are: the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST) is a full member of ISO and IEC. The Ministry of Information Society and Telecommunications, Broadcasting and Post Agency is a member of ITU.

IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission

IEC, the International Electrotechnical Commission (www.iec.ch), which prepares standards in the electrical, electronics and related technologies, was established in 1906.

The IEC rules allow for two regular forms of membership (active or full membership and associate membership), and the Affiliate Countries Program.  The National Electrotechnical Committees are full members with equal voting rights. Associate membership allows for limited participation of countries with limited resources. Associate members have observer status and can participate attend all IEC meetings, but have no voting rights. At the moment, IEC has 52 full and 11 associate members. The Affiliate Countries Program, which was adopted in 2001, has so far attracted 51 affiliates, thus extending the membership to a total of 114 countries. The organization is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

ISO – International Organization for Standardization

The ISO is a non-governmental international organization for standardization covering all fields except the electrotechnical (which is covered by IEC). It was set up in 1947. The results of work of this organization include international agreements, which are published in the form of international standards under the designation "ISO" (www.iso.org).

In Greek,  "isos" means "equal", and this is also the origin of the prefix "iso-", which appears in many words providing the basis of the ISO's international standardization philosophy, e.g. isometry (equal measures), isonomy (equality of Ions, or people before Law).

ITU – International Telecommunication Union

The ITU is an international organization within the United Nations System (www.unsystem.org) where governments and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services. The ITU (www.itu.int) is the leading publisher of ITU-T telecommunication technology, regulatory and standards information.

Updated: 04. jan. 2005