1The way forward: Developing consumer participation February 2009 International Organization for...

1 The way forward: Developing consumer participationFebruary 2009

www.iso.orgwww.iso.org

International Organization International Organization for Standardizationfor Standardization


The Way forward:The Way forward:

Developing consumer Developing consumer participationparticipation

DEVCO/COPOLCO WorkshopDEVCO/COPOLCO WorkshopTrain the trainersTrain the trainers

Paris, FranceParis, France 20-25 February 200920-25 February 2009

Acknowledgements to: Association française de normalisation (AFNOR), the Malaysian Association of Standards Users, and the Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación (IRAM)


The way forward: developing consumer The way forward: developing consumer participationparticipation

This input will present two recent experiences.

These show that consumers and national standards bodies can take steps to enable consumer participation!

It also introduces some resources that have been useful in supporting this.


The way forward The way forward – – Argentina’s experience:Argentina’s experience:The extremes!The extremes!

National Standards Body:

We invite consumers but they don´t come

Consumers are not interested

Consumer Organizations:

We don´t have enough resources

We don´t have expertise

We don´t have enough time


The way forward The way forward – – Argentina’s experienceArgentina’s experienceIssues we consideredIssues we considered

Is there a model?

Do we need some specific conditions for that?

When can we consider that we are effective?

What is our goal?

How much time do we have available?


The way forward The way forward – – Argentina’s experience: Argentina’s experience: Consumer perspectives Consumer perspectives

Positive

DEVCO/COPOLCO training activities

Recommendations from ISO to its members about consumer participation

In general….the door is open!

Negative

An NSB is a “strange house”; something unfamiliar happens inside

Many standards are complicated, but of consumer interest(a heavy responsibility)

A consumer organization lacks resources (economic and human)


The way forward The way forward –– Argentina’s experience Argentina’s experience What did we do?What did we do?

Started a contact with the NSB directors

Asked for the NSB standards procedures and the different standards that were currently in discussion

Started a good relationship with the NSB coordinators

Consumer organizations need the NSB, and the NSB needs consumers in the discussion


The way forward The way forward –– Argentina’s experience Argentina’s experienceWhat resources did the consumers have?What resources did the consumers have?

Only two people: One engineer and one technical advisor

A magazine

Comparative testing facilities

Our expertise in consumer issues: information, safety issues, advertising, knowledge of several products, comparative testing

and…ccommon sense to apply this


The way forward The way forward –– Argentina’s experience Argentina’s experience What did we think?What did we think?

Participation in standards will be important for two reasons:

We can give the consumer’s point of view at the discussion … but perhaps only for some items

We can learn a great deal


The way forward The way forward –– Argentina’s experience Argentina’s experienceWhat we found within the committeesWhat we found within the committees

Negative

A lot of unknown people (most from industry, some from the NSB, a few from NGOs or academia).

In some cases our knowledge of the standard was weak

High-level degree of knowledge is required in some standards

Positive

In general: slow process gave time to learn and influence

It is possible to look for alliances or people with an open spirit (if from laboratories, it is better)

It is possible to have a “new” meeting to discuss difficult or ambiguous points

International network for support (CI, regionals)


The way forward The way forward ––Argentina’s experience Argentina’s experience What is effective? What is effective?

Asking questions about consumer concerns, e.g. safety issues, information, warnings (even if specific information is lacking)

Supporting our opinion with comparative testing(ours or from other independent organizations).

Networking and working with independent, specialist human resources at universities

Being present to express our point of view, even if the outcome is not always successful(this adds value to the participation).

Maybe the next time will be our turn…!


The way forward The way forward –– Argentina’s experience Argentina’s experienceEven if the door is open…is it enough?Even if the door is open…is it enough?

National Standards Body

Make a bridge: encourage consumer representatives to cross.

Find one person inside the NSB to work on consumer issues

Action plan, standards, meetings, etc.

Consumer Organizations

Study and participate – you will learn and will be effective

Knock on the door – frequently

This was a good start for us !


The way forward The way forward –– Argentina’s experience Argentina’s experienceWhat has IRAM done?What has IRAM done?

Created a coordinating role inside the Argentine Standards Body, IRAM, to handle consumer issues and start a consumer forum

Appointed a coordinator from the consumer movement

The coordinator’s role - to develop consumer awareness and participation by:

Getting standards on the agenda of the COs through meetings or an electronic bulletin

Supporting the forum by identifying standards of consumer interest, and advising the forum about standards

Looking for ways to improve consumer input.


The way forward The way forward –– Malaysia’s experience Malaysia’s experience Reaching out to consumersReaching out to consumers

The Malaysian Association of Standards Users The Malaysian Association of Standards Users

Non-governmental organization established in 2004Non-governmental organization established in 2004

Responding to a need for an organization dedicated Responding to a need for an organization dedicated to representing consumers in standards and to representing consumers in standards and standardization-related activitiesstandardization-related activities Initiative of FOMCA (CI member) Initiative of FOMCA (CI member)

Support and assistance from:Support and assistance from:

Department of Standards Malaysia (NSB)Department of Standards Malaysia (NSB)

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA).(FOMCA).



Key attributes of promotional activitiesKey attributes of promotional activities Malaysian Association of Standards UsersMalaysian Association of Standards Users initiated these activities for the NSB:initiated these activities for the NSB:

Developing fun and exciting learning Developing fun and exciting learning material for:material for: Students (school consumer clubs)Students (school consumer clubs) AdultsAdults Teachers (building capacity – Teachers (building capacity –

enhanced outreach)enhanced outreach)Training courses aimed at teachers Training courses aimed at teachers and institutes of higher learning.and institutes of higher learning.



Other activities

Annual essay writing and photography Annual essay writing and photography competition in conjunction with World competition in conjunction with World Standards DayStandards Day

Acts as the national mirror committee Acts as the national mirror committee secretariat for ISO/COPOLCOsecretariat for ISO/COPOLCO(appointed by the NSB)(appointed by the NSB)

Now aggressively pursuing toy safety Now aggressively pursuing toy safety regulations based on theregulations based on theISO 8124 series on toy safetyISO 8124 series on toy safety


The way forward The way forward –– Supporting resources availableSupporting resources available

ISO Committee on consumer policy(ISO/COPOLCO)

ISO Committee on developing country matters(ISO/DEVCO)

ISO Development and training services unit(ISO/DEVT, the capacity-building arm of ISO)

Consumers International

National, regional and international partners (national standards bodies, government and international agencies)


The Way forward: ResourcesThe Way forward: Resources

The next input describes ISO/COPOLCO, ISO/DEVCO and The next input describes ISO/COPOLCO, ISO/DEVCO and Consumers International in more detail. Consumers International in more detail.

It will show how consumer representatives and It will show how consumer representatives and standardizers can work more effectively together, by standardizers can work more effectively together, by drawing on their help and experience.drawing on their help and experience.

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