Quality and consistency are key elements for any successful business or product, and the application of standards makes it possible for entities to meet consumer needs without sacrificing safety or value for money.??With World Standards Day to be celebrated on October 14, greater attention will be paid to what has become a crucial cog of modern day life.

Speaking ahead of the occasion, International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) President, Dr. Boris Aleshin, highlighted the fact that current consumer needs and the pace of commercial industries had rendered standards invaluable.

"We expect that when we pick up the phone we will be able to instantly connect to any other phone on the planet. We expect to be able to connect to the Internet and be provided with news and information… instantly.

When we fall ill, we rely on the health care equipment used to treat us. ??When we drive our cars, we have confidence that the engine management, steering and braking, and child safety systems are reliable…

"International standards give us this confidence globally. Indeed, one of the key objectives of standardisation is to provide this confidence. Systems, products and services perform as we expect them to because of the essential features specified in international standards," the President stressed.

Dr. Aleshin also noted that the effective use of standards presented opportunities for developing nations.

"International standards for products and services underpin quality, ecology, safety, reliability, interoperability, efficiency and effectiveness…Interoperability creates economies of scale and ensures users can obtain equal service wherever they travel. So international standards benefit consumers, manufacturers and service providers alike. Importantly, in developing countries this accelerates the deployment of new products and services and encourages economic development," the ISO President observed.

The importance of standards in developing economies continues to be embraced by the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI), which has formulated a wide range of standards this year, including those for exhaust emissions, quality management (customer satisfaction) and specifications for consumables such as fruit and vegetable juices.

Additional information on national standards and standards certification, may be obtained by calling the BNSI at 426-3870 or visit the website at http://www.bnsi.bb/.

nekaelia.hutchinson@barbados.gov.bb

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