1. Implementing the ISO/IEC Statement on Consumer Participation in Standardization Work
John Drengenberg
Consumer Affairs Manager
Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
USNC Technical Management Committee
January 17, 2003

2. November 2001 ISO/IEC Consumer Participation Statement
Standards should be based on consensus of all interested parties, including consumers
“Consumer" is understood to mean an individual member of the general public, purchasing or using goods, property or services, for private purposes
Taking consumer views into account helps to ensure market relevance of standards work programmes
Consumers face difficulties participating in standardization due to lack of financial resources and technical expertise
Standards bodies should encourage and support consumer participation in standardization work

3. Thirteen ISO/IEC Recommendations National bodies should . . .
support ISO and IEC initiatives aimed at encouraging consumer representation in standardization
involve consumers in planning standards work programmes, both national and international, and in policy matters
invite consumers to participate in all technical committees having standards projects affecting consumer interests
“enable” consumers to participate in priority areas if consumers are not able to finance their participation
seek the active participation of consumers in national delegations
be assisted by TCs in identifying new work items of particular interest to consumers

4. Thirteen ISO/IEC Recommendations National bodies should . . .
provide consumers with guidance and training on standards procedures, and briefings on technical issues
ensure effective communication with consumers and encourage feedback, e.g. via the Internet
sound out consumer opinion through consumer organizations
seek consumer input at all stages of the standardization process and, working with TCs, establish a process for identifying priority areas of consumer interest
learn from other national bodies
provide a mechanism to allow consumer representatives to request the initiation of standards projects
coordinate all activities arising from these recommendations within the same country

5. COPOLCO Interest in IEC
COPOLCO notes that it is an appropriate time to re-evaluate the relationship between COPOLCO and IEC in the light of the retirement of the IEC representative (COPOLCO Resolution 14/2002, June 2002)
Until recently, Maureen Hersee, of the U.K. National Committee, was the primary liaison between IEC and COPOLCO, reporting to COPOLCO annually on work in ACOS, IEC/TC 61, etc. She has now retired and a successor liaison has not been appointed.

6. COPOLCO Interest in IEC
IEC/TC 23, Electrical accessories
IEC/TC 34, Lamps and related equipment
IEC/TC 35, Primary cells and batteries
IEC/TC 59, Performance of household electrical appliances
IEC/TC 61, Safety of household and similar electrical appliances
COPOLCO will maintain a “watching brief” on these activities
Little/no U.S. consumer representatives involved according to recent ANSI CIF survey of TAGs
Emerging issue raised by JISC: photo sensitive epilepsy / image safety. Work going on in ITU; COPOLCO inquiring whether some aspects may fall within IEC’s jurisdiction

7. Promoting Use of ISO/IEC Guides is of concern to COPOLCO
Little is known regarding the use and effectiveness of ISO/IEC Guides
COPOLCO believes Guides should be readily accessible to TCs
COPOLCO exploring with ISO a possible survey of TCs regarding use of Guides

8. ISO/IEC Guides of Interest to COPOLCO
Guide 14 – Purchase information on goods and services intended for consumers (under revision)
Guide 37 – Instructions for use of products of consumer interest
Guide 41 – Packaging—Recommendations for addressing consumer needs (under revision)
Guide 46 – Comparative testing of consumer products and related services—General principles
Guide 50 – Child safety and standards – General guidelines
Guide 51 – Safety aspects – Guidelines for their inclusion in standards
Guide 71 – Guidelines for standards developers to address the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities
Guide 74 – Consumer requirements concerning graphic symbols (draft)