International standards ensure that industrial products are safe and reliable, and that agricultural produce is healthy and fresh. Less known but no less relevant are norms on how to format and exchange the data that supports international trade flows, like for example customs declaration forms and invoices.
Under the umbrella of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), different groups of experts from the private sector and governments develop standards, recommendations and best practice in a number of areas. The Secretariat also organizes capacity-building activities to assist countries and regional groupings in the implementation of the international norms it contributes to develop.
At this UNECE workshop, experts will discuss pressing issues such as:
- how do different kinds of standards affect trade flows? And consumer’s welfare?
- what is the role of governments and the civil society in implementing international standards?
- how can developing countries’ participation in standards development be enhanced?
| Chairperson: Mr. Marek Belka, Executive Secretary, UNECE |
| 15:00hrs. - 15:30hrs. |
FIRST PANEL |
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- Ms. Marion Jansen, Counsellor, WTO Secretariat [ppt]
- Per Döfnäs, Director, Technical Regulations, Government Affairs & Regulations, Ericsson [ppt]
- Ms. Olga Razbash, Legal expert, Russian Regional Ecological Centre, Moscow, Russia [ppt]
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| This first group of panellists will address the effects of different kinds of standards on trade and economic welfare and the role of governments, business and the civil society in the implementation of standards and technical regulations. |
| 15:30hrs. - 16:00hrs |
SECOND PANEL |
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- Ms. Ulrike Bickelmann, Head of Inspection Service, Federal Bureau for Food and Agriculture,
Germany & Vice-Chairperson, Specialized Section on Standardization of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, UNECE [ppt]
- Mr. Tadatsugu Toni Matsudaira, Technical Officer, The World Customs Organization [ppt]
- Mr. Roger Pocthier, Standards & Regulations Manager, Caterpillar S.A.R.L. [ppt]
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| The second group of panellists will discuss harmonization and how international standards can be enshrined in national legislation. In order to increase compliance with international standards, it is crucial that there be more participation by developing countries in the development of international standards. How can participation be strengthened? |
| 16:00hrs. - 16:10hrs. |
The ISO perspective |
| 16:10hrs. - 16:30hrs. |
Floor discussion |
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