World Standards Day, celebrated on October 14 every year, raises awareness about the need for the global standardization of products and its importance to the world economy. On this day, members of the International Electrotechnical Commission (I.E.C.), the International Telecommunication Union (I.T.U.), and the International Standards Organization (I.S.O.) pay tribute to the concerted efforts of thousands of experts around the globe who formulate the voluntary technical agreement (an agreement among countries, institutes, and people as to what a product or process is, what it should look like, and what it should do or accomplish) published as the International Standards.
HISTORY OF WORLD STANDARDS DAY
The history of World Standards Day goes back to a 1946 meeting in London, which birthed the creation of the International Organization for Standardization in the following years. On October 14 each year, the members of the I.E.C., I.S.O., I.T.U., other international standardization organizations, and people all around the world celebrate the collaborative efforts of experts, volunteers, and indeed all who engage in standardization activities worldwide, drawing people’s attention to the importance of written standards on the global economy.
As the world continues to experience rapid globalization, where markets in different corners are increasingly becoming open, national boundaries are disappearing, and new challenges are emerging, a technical standard applicable to all nations and people has become pertinent. In the U.S., World Standards Day is celebrated by the standardization community in Washington, D.C., where an exhibition event is held, with a reception and a dinner gala.
In other parts of the world, events are also held in respect of World Standards Day, including educational seminars and conferences and the usual World Standard Cooperation contest held each year to celebrate the day.
According to I.S.O., which merely acts as a conductor in an orchestra consisting of delegates from its member states, the process of adopting a proposal as part of the International standard begins from the development of a draft that meets a certain market need in a specific area. Once developed, members deliberate and then cast votes on the proposal. This process could take up to about three years.
Credit: National Today
