India asks ISO to frame standards in simple language

India today asked international standard-setting body ISO to set standards in simple language for the benefit of small and medium industries, and also consider consumers' views while drafting the same. The testing equipment should be made available at reasonable prices and the voice of the developing world needs to be strengthened in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the government said. Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan discussed the matter in a meeting with Geneva-based ISO Secretary General Sergio Mujica here. ISO has a membership of 161 national standards bodies including India. In the meeting, Paswan said, "The language used in the standards should be simple and test may be based on testing equipment which are easily available." The testing equipment mentioned in the standards should be available at reasonable prices so that the small scale industry may not have any problem in procuring the same, he said in a statement. Stating that the language used in ISO standards is often highly technical, Paswan said, "The methods of test are specified in such a way that often it becomes difficult for the small and medium industries to fully comprehend it due to their limited knowledge and expertise in the domain." ISO develops standards that are intended to be used by the whole world.

The ISO standards should therefore endeavour to address the development needs and expectations of the world in particular that of the developing countries, he said. A good standard can only be formulated with inputs and contribution and support from all stakeholders. This would ensure that the making of standards is not biased towards any particulars stakeholder and it takes into account the common interest of the sector, he said. Since standards are generally drafted by technical experts at the global level, Paswan said the voice of consumers goes unnoticed and the ISO should address their issues to ensure that consumers voice is given adequate importance.

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