ISO has just released its September/October 2019 issue of ISOfocus. Aptly entitled “Trade, today and tomorrow”, it provides a blend of in-depth commentary and analysis of the key issues shaping the trade arena. In addition, it affords valuable insights into the role of standards for fostering productivity and competitiveness, and thus their relevance in international trade.
ISO Secretary-General Sergio Mujica writes in his introductory remark: “It is clear that there has never been a greater or more pressing need for international standards. Transparency, accountability, harmonization and trust are just some of the benefits – for society and business alike,” he says.
This edition offers coverage of key issues ranging from harmonization of technical regulations to the alleviation of poverty and inclusive development. It also provides an overview of the most interesting, important and complete conformity assessment issues, particularly useful in today’s trade matters.
What we unpack in this issue is the contribution of ISO standards to solving many of today’s trade-related challenges, including greater access to higher-quality goods. Santiago Fernández de Córdoba, Senior Economist at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Coordinator of the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards (UNFSS), explains in his ISOfocus interview: “International trade is usually recognized as a powerful instrument to stimulate economic progress and alleviate poverty. Standards are an important component of international trade. Within global value chains, standards provide assurances to consumers that traded products are safe as well as socially and environmentally sustainable.”
Need to keep pace with the trends in trade? The latest ISOfocus is a must-read to stay abreast of critical standards issues and trade trends, today and tomorrow.
