1. Global Relevance Stephen Russell BSI member of the ISO Technical Management Board Vice-Chairman of the CEN Technical Board

2. What is Global Relevance? ISO/TMB definition: ‘The desired characteristic of an International Standard that it can be used/implemented as broadly as possible by affected industries and other stakeholders in countries around the world’ ‘The desired characteristic of an International Standard that it can be used/implemented as broadly as possible by affected industries and other stakeholders in countries around the world’

3. What is Global Relevance? Kevin Ennis says: ‘A globally relevant standard is a standard which is used’ Mario Wittner thinks: ‘One-One-One’ But is it the impossible dream?

4. Why is Global Relevance important? Growth in international tradeGrowth in international trade –$2,000 billion (1980) to $6,500 billion (2000) Regional initiativesRegional initiatives –European Union, APEC… ISO standards ISO standards –13,500 adopted over 50 years –20 countries vote Developing countriesDeveloping countries

5. How do we achieve Global Relevance? Be flexible in approachBe flexible in approach –One size does not fit all Take into account regulationsTake into account regulations –EU and FDA Gain the commitment of all interested partiesGain the commitment of all interested parties –Manufacturers –Users –Test houses and conformity assessment operators –Regulators –Socio-economic partners –Developed and developing countries And their participationAnd their participation

6. How do we achieve Global Relevance? Go the performance routeGo the performance route –Horizontal approach –Fewer commercial conflicts –Facilitates innovation –Standards require less frequent revision Alternative deliverables (e.g. ISO/TS)Alternative deliverables (e.g. ISO/TS) –As ‘stepping stones’ to an ISO standard

7. Issues 1.Participation of developing countries 2.Available and competent experts 3.The cost to TCs and SCs of liaison memberships 4.The visibility of ISO 5.Lack of data for TCs and SCs …and two others

8. Issues 6.Obligatory national adoption of ISO standards –May help market relevance In some sectorsIn some sectors –Others say use is more important Adoption does not guarantee useAdoption does not guarantee use EN 13445 ‘Unfired pressure vessels’EN 13445 ‘Unfired pressure vessels’ PD 5500 ‘Specification for unfired fusion welded pressure vessels’PD 5500 ‘Specification for unfired fusion welded pressure vessels’ Other codes exist: ASME, CODAP, AD-MerkblattOther codes exist: ASME, CODAP, AD-Merkblatt –Industry decides!

9. Issues 7.CEN and Europe –Bloc voting (ISO Council study) 117/3563 (3.1%) failed DIS117/3563 (3.1%) failed DIS 7/2883 (0.24%) failed FDIS7/2883 (0.24%) failed FDIS CEN members voted with other ISO membersCEN members voted with other ISO members Or were split when voting against an ISO draftOr were split when voting against an ISO draft –Common view in TCs Similar (but not identical) national practicesSimilar (but not identical) national practices Understandable and not wrongUnderstandable and not wrong –European legal requirements Distorts global relevanceDistorts global relevance Is WRONG!Is WRONG! BUT only 30% of CEN programme is mandated!BUT only 30% of CEN programme is mandated! –CEN/BT WG 152 ‘Global Relevance’