Concepts & Terminologies

• Trade Facilitation
• Standardization Policies
• A Standard
• Technical Regulations
• Conformity Assessment
• Accreditation
• Metrology
• Sources

Trade Facilitation

For UNECE and its UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), trade facilitation is “the simplification, standardization and harmonization of procedures and associated information flows required to move goods from seller to buyer and to make payment”. Such a definition implies that not only the physical movement of goods is important in a supply chain, but also the associated information flows. It also encompasses all governmental agencies that intervene in the transit of goods, and the various commercial entities that conduct business and move the goods. This is in line with discussions on trade facilitation currently ongoing at the WTO.

Why Does it Matter?

Public entities will reap immediate gains  in the form  of enhanced trade tax collection, better use of resources and increased trader compliance. A more efficient and transparent delivery of public services will enable the Governments to maintain high security levels and effective control, while diminishing opportunities for corruption.

Traders will benefit from increased predictability and speed of operation and reduced transaction costs.  These benefits carry positive impact on investment and, thereof,  structural transformation and job creation

What does it involve ?

1. Transparency within government promotes openness and accountability of a government’s and administration’s actions. It entails disclosure of information in a way that the public can readily access and use it.
 
2. Simplification is the process of eliminating all unnecessary elements and duplications in trade formalities, processes and procedures. It should be based on an analysis of the current, “As-Is”, situation.
 
3. Harmonization is the alignment of national procedures, operations and documents with international conventions, standards and practices. It can come from adopting and implementing the same standards as partner countries, either as part of a regional integration process or as a result of business decisions.
 
4. Standardizationi s the process of developing formats for practices and procedures, documents and information internationally agreed by various parties.
Standardization Policies

Standardization policy promotes standards as a means for better regulation of production activities. Standardisation policies involve the entire gamut of policy documents and legislation concerned with the formulation, publication, and implementation of guidelines, rules, and specifications associated with the characteristics of products, such as its size, shape, design, functions and performance, or the way they are labelled or packaged before being placed on the market.

Why does it matter ?

International standardisation and their application in technical regulations on products, production processes are critical for trade facilitation on account of their support for safety, quality and compatibility.

Standards allow domestic markets to operate effectively, garner increased competition and facilitate technology transfer. They also play a vital role in the protection of consumers, workers and the environment.

A Standard

A Standard sets out  technical specifications defining requirements for products, production processes, services or test-methods as approved by a recognized national, regional or international standardization body and made available to the public for repeated or continuous application. They are developed by industry and market entities, according to some basic principles such as: consensus, openness, transparency and non-discrimination. Standards ensure interoperability and safety, reduce costs and facilitate business’  integration in the value chain and marketplace. Conformity with standards, which are developed by public or private entities, is voluntary. When a standard is referenced in legislation (as a basis for technical regulation), it becomes mandatory.

Standards support market-based competition and help ensure the interoperability of complementary products and services. They provide the roadmap for enterprises to ensure  compliance with regulatory requirements for protecting animal, human and plant health and the environment.

What are the economic benefits of standards?

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) defines three main types of benefits from using standards as:

• Streamlining internal operations: Standards help to reduce the time needed to perform specific activities in the various business functions, reducing waste and generating efficiencies.
• Innovation and scaling-up of operations: Standards support companies to expand their suppliers’ network and manage new product lines effectively.
• Creating or entering new markets: Standards can be the basis for innovating new products, delving into new markets, facilitating the uptake of new products and even creating markets.

Technical Regulations

Technical regulations are to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) as a document which lays down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions, with which compliance is mandatory. These may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method. Compliance with technical regulations is mandatory.

Why do technical regulations matter ?

Technical regulations provide the means for protecting human, animal and plant health and the environment as a whole, so that they have a direct bearing on all the sectors.

Conformity Assessment

Conformity assessment is to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on TBT, as involving procedures used, directly or indirectly, to determine that relevant requirements under technical regulations are fulfilled. Conformity assessment can be set up as voluntary “self-regulation” or mandatory schemes.

Why does conformity assessment matter ?

Conformity assessment provides a means for ensuring the compliance of products, processes, services, management systems, persons, and organisations with regulatory requirements.

Accreditation

Related to conformity assessment is accreditation, which refers to independent evaluation of testing and calibration laboratories, management systems, inspection bodies and so on, to confirm compliance with internationally recognized standards and requirements for risk reduction purposes.

Why does accreditation matter ?

A precondition for trade on equal terms is the guarantee that any product or service, accepted in one economy, is able flow freely in other economies without the burden of extensive re-testing, re-inspection and re-certification.

The accreditation of conformity assessment bodies supports international trade through the promotion of global acceptance of conformity assessment results – as communicated by accredited CABS. This is further strengthened through peer evaluation and mutual recognition agreements amongst accreditation entities.

Accreditation ensures entities (testing labs, certification bodies, inspection bodies) provide their clients with additional confidence in their competence. Accredited conformity assessment bodies gain a comparative advantage and the recognition of their conformity assessment results improves internationally.

Metrology

Traditionally known as “weights and measures”, is the science of measurement. Together with standardisation, accreditation and conformity assessment, it is one of the essential pillars of national quality infrastructure. Scientific and industrial metrology is crucial for establishing and disseminating measurement units and providing the necessary tools to support the measurements needed by industry. Legal metrology ensures the credibility of measurements and measuring instruments in regulated areas of trade, health, safety and environment. It is vital, not only for consumer protection, but also for protecting export revenues and official measurements.

Why does metrology matter ?

As the science and practice of measurement, metrology has the objective of developing measurements which are (i) stable, (ii) comparable and (iii) coherent. These objective are realised through chains of traceability, based on the work of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs).

Metrology is classified in three main fields:

• Scientific Metrology: Covers general theoretical and practical problems concerning units of measurement
• Industrial Metrology: Measurements in production and quality control (e.g. calibration, management of measurement instruments and control of processes)
• Legal Metrology: Legal & regulatory control. Relating to activities which with result from statutory requirements and concern measurement, units of measurement, measuring instruments and methods of measurement.
Sources

Trade and transport facilitation:

• UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) recommendations
• Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide
• Electronic Invoice
• Sustainable Procurement
• UNECE Transport Protocols and conventions
• IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)
• National Policy Measures to Promote Intermodal Transport
• Making THE (Transport, Health and Environment) Link: The Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP)
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Roads
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Railways

Standards and regulatory cooperation:

• Framework guidelines for energy efficiency standards in buildings
• Promoting sustainable building materials and the implications on the use of wood in buildings: A review of leading public policies in Europe and North America
• UNECE agricultural quality standards
• UNECE recommendations on regulatory cooperation and standardization
• Mapping of Existing Energy Efficiency Standards and Technologies in Buildings in the UNECE Region
• Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Trade Facilitation
• Standardization Policies
• A Standard
• Technical Regulations
• Conformity Assessment
• Accreditation
• Metrology
• Sources

Trade Facilitation

For UNECE and its UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), trade facilitation is “the simplification, standardization and harmonization of procedures and associated information flows required to move goods from seller to buyer and to make payment”. Such a definition implies that not only the physical movement of goods is important in a supply chain, but also the associated information flows. It also encompasses all governmental agencies that intervene in the transit of goods, and the various commercial entities that conduct business and move the goods. This is in line with discussions on trade facilitation currently ongoing at the WTO.

Why Does it Matter?

Public entities will reap immediate gains  in the form  of enhanced trade tax collection, better use of resources and increased trader compliance. A more efficient and transparent delivery of public services will enable the Governments to maintain high security levels and effective control, while diminishing opportunities for corruption.

Traders will benefit from increased predictability and speed of operation and reduced transaction costs.  These benefits carry positive impact on investment and, thereof,  structural transformation and job creation

What does it involve ?

1. Transparency within government promotes openness and accountability of a government’s and administration’s actions. It entails disclosure of information in a way that the public can readily access and use it.
 
2. Simplification is the process of eliminating all unnecessary elements and duplications in trade formalities, processes and procedures. It should be based on an analysis of the current, “As-Is”, situation.
 
3. Harmonization is the alignment of national procedures, operations and documents with international conventions, standards and practices. It can come from adopting and implementing the same standards as partner countries, either as part of a regional integration process or as a result of business decisions.
 
4. Standardizationi s the process of developing formats for practices and procedures, documents and information internationally agreed by various parties.
Standardization Policies

Standardization policy promotes standards as a means for better regulation of production activities. Standardisation policies involve the entire gamut of policy documents and legislation concerned with the formulation, publication, and implementation of guidelines, rules, and specifications associated with the characteristics of products, such as its size, shape, design, functions and performance, or the way they are labelled or packaged before being placed on the market.

Why does it matter ?

International standardisation and their application in technical regulations on products, production processes are critical for trade facilitation on account of their support for safety, quality and compatibility.

Standards allow domestic markets to operate effectively, garner increased competition and facilitate technology transfer. They also play a vital role in the protection of consumers, workers and the environment.

A Standard

A Standard sets out  technical specifications defining requirements for products, production processes, services or test-methods as approved by a recognized national, regional or international standardization body and made available to the public for repeated or continuous application. They are developed by industry and market entities, according to some basic principles such as: consensus, openness, transparency and non-discrimination. Standards ensure interoperability and safety, reduce costs and facilitate business’  integration in the value chain and marketplace. Conformity with standards, which are developed by public or private entities, is voluntary. When a standard is referenced in legislation (as a basis for technical regulation), it becomes mandatory.

Standards support market-based competition and help ensure the interoperability of complementary products and services. They provide the roadmap for enterprises to ensure  compliance with regulatory requirements for protecting animal, human and plant health and the environment.

What are the economic benefits of standards?

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) defines three main types of benefits from using standards as:

• Streamlining internal operations: Standards help to reduce the time needed to perform specific activities in the various business functions, reducing waste and generating efficiencies.
• Innovation and scaling-up of operations: Standards support companies to expand their suppliers’ network and manage new product lines effectively.
• Creating or entering new markets: Standards can be the basis for innovating new products, delving into new markets, facilitating the uptake of new products and even creating markets.

Technical Regulations

Technical regulations are to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) as a document which lays down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions, with which compliance is mandatory. These may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method. Compliance with technical regulations is mandatory.

Why do technical regulations matter ?

Technical regulations provide the means for protecting human, animal and plant health and the environment as a whole, so that they have a direct bearing on all the sectors.

Conformity Assessment

Conformity assessment is to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on TBT, as involving procedures used, directly or indirectly, to determine that relevant requirements under technical regulations are fulfilled. Conformity assessment can be set up as voluntary “self-regulation” or mandatory schemes.

Why does conformity assessment matter ?

Conformity assessment provides a means for ensuring the compliance of products, processes, services, management systems, persons, and organisations with regulatory requirements.

Accreditation

Related to conformity assessment is accreditation, which refers to independent evaluation of testing and calibration laboratories, management systems, inspection bodies and so on, to confirm compliance with internationally recognized standards and requirements for risk reduction purposes.

Why does accreditation matter ?

A precondition for trade on equal terms is the guarantee that any product or service, accepted in one economy, is able flow freely in other economies without the burden of extensive re-testing, re-inspection and re-certification.

The accreditation of conformity assessment bodies supports international trade through the promotion of global acceptance of conformity assessment results – as communicated by accredited CABS. This is further strengthened through peer evaluation and mutual recognition agreements amongst accreditation entities.

Accreditation ensures entities (testing labs, certification bodies, inspection bodies) provide their clients with additional confidence in their competence. Accredited conformity assessment bodies gain a comparative advantage and the recognition of their conformity assessment results improves internationally.

Metrology

Traditionally known as “weights and measures”, is the science of measurement. Together with standardisation, accreditation and conformity assessment, it is one of the essential pillars of national quality infrastructure. Scientific and industrial metrology is crucial for establishing and disseminating measurement units and providing the necessary tools to support the measurements needed by industry. Legal metrology ensures the credibility of measurements and measuring instruments in regulated areas of trade, health, safety and environment. It is vital, not only for consumer protection, but also for protecting export revenues and official measurements.

Why does metrology matter ?

As the science and practice of measurement, metrology has the objective of developing measurements which are (i) stable, (ii) comparable and (iii) coherent. These objective are realised through chains of traceability, based on the work of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs).

Metrology is classified in three main fields:

• Scientific Metrology: Covers general theoretical and practical problems concerning units of measurement
• Industrial Metrology: Measurements in production and quality control (e.g. calibration, management of measurement instruments and control of processes)
• Legal Metrology: Legal & regulatory control. Relating to activities which with result from statutory requirements and concern measurement, units of measurement, measuring instruments and methods of measurement.
Sources

Trade and transport facilitation:

• UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) recommendations
• Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide
• Electronic Invoice
• Sustainable Procurement
• UNECE Transport Protocols and conventions
• IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)
• National Policy Measures to Promote Intermodal Transport
• Making THE (Transport, Health and Environment) Link: The Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP)
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Roads
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Railways

Standards and regulatory cooperation:

• Framework guidelines for energy efficiency standards in buildings
• Promoting sustainable building materials and the implications on the use of wood in buildings: A review of leading public policies in Europe and North America
• UNECE agricultural quality standards
• UNECE recommendations on regulatory cooperation and standardization
• Mapping of Existing Energy Efficiency Standards and Technologies in Buildings in the UNECE Region
• Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Trade Facilitation
• Standardization Policies
• A Standard
• Technical Regulations
• Conformity Assessment
• Accreditation
• Metrology
• Sources

Trade Facilitation

For UNECE and its UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), trade facilitation is “the simplification, standardization and harmonization of procedures and associated information flows required to move goods from seller to buyer and to make payment”. Such a definition implies that not only the physical movement of goods is important in a supply chain, but also the associated information flows. It also encompasses all governmental agencies that intervene in the transit of goods, and the various commercial entities that conduct business and move the goods. This is in line with discussions on trade facilitation currently ongoing at the WTO.

Why Does it Matter?

Public entities will reap immediate gains  in the form  of enhanced trade tax collection, better use of resources and increased trader compliance. A more efficient and transparent delivery of public services will enable the Governments to maintain high security levels and effective control, while diminishing opportunities for corruption.

Traders will benefit from increased predictability and speed of operation and reduced transaction costs.  These benefits carry positive impact on investment and, thereof,  structural transformation and job creation

What does it involve ?

1. Transparency within government promotes openness and accountability of a government’s and administration’s actions. It entails disclosure of information in a way that the public can readily access and use it.
 
2. Simplification is the process of eliminating all unnecessary elements and duplications in trade formalities, processes and procedures. It should be based on an analysis of the current, “As-Is”, situation.
 
3. Harmonization is the alignment of national procedures, operations and documents with international conventions, standards and practices. It can come from adopting and implementing the same standards as partner countries, either as part of a regional integration process or as a result of business decisions.
 
4. Standardizationi s the process of developing formats for practices and procedures, documents and information internationally agreed by various parties.
Standardization Policies

Standardization policy promotes standards as a means for better regulation of production activities. Standardisation policies involve the entire gamut of policy documents and legislation concerned with the formulation, publication, and implementation of guidelines, rules, and specifications associated with the characteristics of products, such as its size, shape, design, functions and performance, or the way they are labelled or packaged before being placed on the market.

Why does it matter ?

International standardisation and their application in technical regulations on products, production processes are critical for trade facilitation on account of their support for safety, quality and compatibility.

Standards allow domestic markets to operate effectively, garner increased competition and facilitate technology transfer. They also play a vital role in the protection of consumers, workers and the environment.

A Standard

A Standard sets out  technical specifications defining requirements for products, production processes, services or test-methods as approved by a recognized national, regional or international standardization body and made available to the public for repeated or continuous application. They are developed by industry and market entities, according to some basic principles such as: consensus, openness, transparency and non-discrimination. Standards ensure interoperability and safety, reduce costs and facilitate business’  integration in the value chain and marketplace. Conformity with standards, which are developed by public or private entities, is voluntary. When a standard is referenced in legislation (as a basis for technical regulation), it becomes mandatory.

Standards support market-based competition and help ensure the interoperability of complementary products and services. They provide the roadmap for enterprises to ensure  compliance with regulatory requirements for protecting animal, human and plant health and the environment.

What are the economic benefits of standards?

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) defines three main types of benefits from using standards as:

• Streamlining internal operations: Standards help to reduce the time needed to perform specific activities in the various business functions, reducing waste and generating efficiencies.
• Innovation and scaling-up of operations: Standards support companies to expand their suppliers’ network and manage new product lines effectively.
• Creating or entering new markets: Standards can be the basis for innovating new products, delving into new markets, facilitating the uptake of new products and even creating markets.

Technical Regulations

Technical regulations are to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) as a document which lays down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions, with which compliance is mandatory. These may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method. Compliance with technical regulations is mandatory.

Why do technical regulations matter ?

Technical regulations provide the means for protecting human, animal and plant health and the environment as a whole, so that they have a direct bearing on all the sectors.

Conformity Assessment

Conformity assessment is to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on TBT, as involving procedures used, directly or indirectly, to determine that relevant requirements under technical regulations are fulfilled. Conformity assessment can be set up as voluntary “self-regulation” or mandatory schemes.

Why does conformity assessment matter ?

Conformity assessment provides a means for ensuring the compliance of products, processes, services, management systems, persons, and organisations with regulatory requirements.

Accreditation

Related to conformity assessment is accreditation, which refers to independent evaluation of testing and calibration laboratories, management systems, inspection bodies and so on, to confirm compliance with internationally recognized standards and requirements for risk reduction purposes.

Why does accreditation matter ?

A precondition for trade on equal terms is the guarantee that any product or service, accepted in one economy, is able flow freely in other economies without the burden of extensive re-testing, re-inspection and re-certification.

The accreditation of conformity assessment bodies supports international trade through the promotion of global acceptance of conformity assessment results – as communicated by accredited CABS. This is further strengthened through peer evaluation and mutual recognition agreements amongst accreditation entities.

Accreditation ensures entities (testing labs, certification bodies, inspection bodies) provide their clients with additional confidence in their competence. Accredited conformity assessment bodies gain a comparative advantage and the recognition of their conformity assessment results improves internationally.

Metrology

Traditionally known as “weights and measures”, is the science of measurement. Together with standardisation, accreditation and conformity assessment, it is one of the essential pillars of national quality infrastructure. Scientific and industrial metrology is crucial for establishing and disseminating measurement units and providing the necessary tools to support the measurements needed by industry. Legal metrology ensures the credibility of measurements and measuring instruments in regulated areas of trade, health, safety and environment. It is vital, not only for consumer protection, but also for protecting export revenues and official measurements.

Why does metrology matter ?

As the science and practice of measurement, metrology has the objective of developing measurements which are (i) stable, (ii) comparable and (iii) coherent. These objective are realised through chains of traceability, based on the work of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs).

Metrology is classified in three main fields:

• Scientific Metrology: Covers general theoretical and practical problems concerning units of measurement
• Industrial Metrology: Measurements in production and quality control (e.g. calibration, management of measurement instruments and control of processes)
• Legal Metrology: Legal & regulatory control. Relating to activities which with result from statutory requirements and concern measurement, units of measurement, measuring instruments and methods of measurement.
Sources

Trade and transport facilitation:

• UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) recommendations
• Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide
• Electronic Invoice
• Sustainable Procurement
• UNECE Transport Protocols and conventions
• IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)
• National Policy Measures to Promote Intermodal Transport
• Making THE (Transport, Health and Environment) Link: The Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP)
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Roads
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Railways

Standards and regulatory cooperation:

• Framework guidelines for energy efficiency standards in buildings
• Promoting sustainable building materials and the implications on the use of wood in buildings: A review of leading public policies in Europe and North America
• UNECE agricultural quality standards
• UNECE recommendations on regulatory cooperation and standardization
• Mapping of Existing Energy Efficiency Standards and Technologies in Buildings in the UNECE Region
• Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Trade Facilitation
• Standardization Policies
• A Standard
• Technical Regulations
• Conformity Assessment
• Accreditation
• Metrology
• Sources

Trade Facilitation

For UNECE and its UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), trade facilitation is “the simplification, standardization and harmonization of procedures and associated information flows required to move goods from seller to buyer and to make payment”. Such a definition implies that not only the physical movement of goods is important in a supply chain, but also the associated information flows. It also encompasses all governmental agencies that intervene in the transit of goods, and the various commercial entities that conduct business and move the goods. This is in line with discussions on trade facilitation currently ongoing at the WTO.

Why Does it Matter?

Public entities will reap immediate gains  in the form  of enhanced trade tax collection, better use of resources and increased trader compliance. A more efficient and transparent delivery of public services will enable the Governments to maintain high security levels and effective control, while diminishing opportunities for corruption.

Traders will benefit from increased predictability and speed of operation and reduced transaction costs.  These benefits carry positive impact on investment and, thereof,  structural transformation and job creation

What does it involve ?

1. Transparency within government promotes openness and accountability of a government’s and administration’s actions. It entails disclosure of information in a way that the public can readily access and use it.
 
2. Simplification is the process of eliminating all unnecessary elements and duplications in trade formalities, processes and procedures. It should be based on an analysis of the current, “As-Is”, situation.
 
3. Harmonization is the alignment of national procedures, operations and documents with international conventions, standards and practices. It can come from adopting and implementing the same standards as partner countries, either as part of a regional integration process or as a result of business decisions.
 
4. Standardizationi s the process of developing formats for practices and procedures, documents and information internationally agreed by various parties.
Standardization Policies

Standardization policy promotes standards as a means for better regulation of production activities. Standardisation policies involve the entire gamut of policy documents and legislation concerned with the formulation, publication, and implementation of guidelines, rules, and specifications associated with the characteristics of products, such as its size, shape, design, functions and performance, or the way they are labelled or packaged before being placed on the market.

Why does it matter ?

International standardisation and their application in technical regulations on products, production processes are critical for trade facilitation on account of their support for safety, quality and compatibility.

Standards allow domestic markets to operate effectively, garner increased competition and facilitate technology transfer. They also play a vital role in the protection of consumers, workers and the environment.

A Standard

A Standard sets out  technical specifications defining requirements for products, production processes, services or test-methods as approved by a recognized national, regional or international standardization body and made available to the public for repeated or continuous application. They are developed by industry and market entities, according to some basic principles such as: consensus, openness, transparency and non-discrimination. Standards ensure interoperability and safety, reduce costs and facilitate business’  integration in the value chain and marketplace. Conformity with standards, which are developed by public or private entities, is voluntary. When a standard is referenced in legislation (as a basis for technical regulation), it becomes mandatory.

Standards support market-based competition and help ensure the interoperability of complementary products and services. They provide the roadmap for enterprises to ensure  compliance with regulatory requirements for protecting animal, human and plant health and the environment.

What are the economic benefits of standards?

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) defines three main types of benefits from using standards as:

• Streamlining internal operations: Standards help to reduce the time needed to perform specific activities in the various business functions, reducing waste and generating efficiencies.
• Innovation and scaling-up of operations: Standards support companies to expand their suppliers’ network and manage new product lines effectively.
• Creating or entering new markets: Standards can be the basis for innovating new products, delving into new markets, facilitating the uptake of new products and even creating markets.

Technical Regulations

Technical regulations are to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) as a document which lays down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions, with which compliance is mandatory. These may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method. Compliance with technical regulations is mandatory.

Why do technical regulations matter ?

Technical regulations provide the means for protecting human, animal and plant health and the environment as a whole, so that they have a direct bearing on all the sectors.

Conformity Assessment

Conformity assessment is to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on TBT, as involving procedures used, directly or indirectly, to determine that relevant requirements under technical regulations are fulfilled. Conformity assessment can be set up as voluntary “self-regulation” or mandatory schemes.

Why does conformity assessment matter ?

Conformity assessment provides a means for ensuring the compliance of products, processes, services, management systems, persons, and organisations with regulatory requirements.

Accreditation

Related to conformity assessment is accreditation, which refers to independent evaluation of testing and calibration laboratories, management systems, inspection bodies and so on, to confirm compliance with internationally recognized standards and requirements for risk reduction purposes.

Why does accreditation matter ?

A precondition for trade on equal terms is the guarantee that any product or service, accepted in one economy, is able flow freely in other economies without the burden of extensive re-testing, re-inspection and re-certification.

The accreditation of conformity assessment bodies supports international trade through the promotion of global acceptance of conformity assessment results – as communicated by accredited CABS. This is further strengthened through peer evaluation and mutual recognition agreements amongst accreditation entities.

Accreditation ensures entities (testing labs, certification bodies, inspection bodies) provide their clients with additional confidence in their competence. Accredited conformity assessment bodies gain a comparative advantage and the recognition of their conformity assessment results improves internationally.

Metrology

Traditionally known as “weights and measures”, is the science of measurement. Together with standardisation, accreditation and conformity assessment, it is one of the essential pillars of national quality infrastructure. Scientific and industrial metrology is crucial for establishing and disseminating measurement units and providing the necessary tools to support the measurements needed by industry. Legal metrology ensures the credibility of measurements and measuring instruments in regulated areas of trade, health, safety and environment. It is vital, not only for consumer protection, but also for protecting export revenues and official measurements.

Why does metrology matter ?

As the science and practice of measurement, metrology has the objective of developing measurements which are (i) stable, (ii) comparable and (iii) coherent. These objective are realised through chains of traceability, based on the work of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs).

Metrology is classified in three main fields:

• Scientific Metrology: Covers general theoretical and practical problems concerning units of measurement
• Industrial Metrology: Measurements in production and quality control (e.g. calibration, management of measurement instruments and control of processes)
• Legal Metrology: Legal & regulatory control. Relating to activities which with result from statutory requirements and concern measurement, units of measurement, measuring instruments and methods of measurement.
Sources

Trade and transport facilitation:

• UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) recommendations
• Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide
• Electronic Invoice
• Sustainable Procurement
• UNECE Transport Protocols and conventions
• IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)
• National Policy Measures to Promote Intermodal Transport
• Making THE (Transport, Health and Environment) Link: The Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP)
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Roads
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Railways

Standards and regulatory cooperation:

• Framework guidelines for energy efficiency standards in buildings
• Promoting sustainable building materials and the implications on the use of wood in buildings: A review of leading public policies in Europe and North America
• UNECE agricultural quality standards
• UNECE recommendations on regulatory cooperation and standardization
• Mapping of Existing Energy Efficiency Standards and Technologies in Buildings in the UNECE Region
• Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Trade Facilitation
• Standardization Policies
• A Standard
• Technical Regulations
• Conformity Assessment
• Accreditation
• Metrology
• Sources

Trade Facilitation

For UNECE and its UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), trade facilitation is “the simplification, standardization and harmonization of procedures and associated information flows required to move goods from seller to buyer and to make payment”. Such a definition implies that not only the physical movement of goods is important in a supply chain, but also the associated information flows. It also encompasses all governmental agencies that intervene in the transit of goods, and the various commercial entities that conduct business and move the goods. This is in line with discussions on trade facilitation currently ongoing at the WTO.

Why Does it Matter?

Public entities will reap immediate gains  in the form  of enhanced trade tax collection, better use of resources and increased trader compliance. A more efficient and transparent delivery of public services will enable the Governments to maintain high security levels and effective control, while diminishing opportunities for corruption.

Traders will benefit from increased predictability and speed of operation and reduced transaction costs.  These benefits carry positive impact on investment and, thereof,  structural transformation and job creation

What does it involve ?

1. Transparency within government promotes openness and accountability of a government’s and administration’s actions. It entails disclosure of information in a way that the public can readily access and use it.
 
2. Simplification is the process of eliminating all unnecessary elements and duplications in trade formalities, processes and procedures. It should be based on an analysis of the current, “As-Is”, situation.
 
3. Harmonization is the alignment of national procedures, operations and documents with international conventions, standards and practices. It can come from adopting and implementing the same standards as partner countries, either as part of a regional integration process or as a result of business decisions.
 
4. Standardizationi s the process of developing formats for practices and procedures, documents and information internationally agreed by various parties.
Standardization Policies

Standardization policy promotes standards as a means for better regulation of production activities. Standardisation policies involve the entire gamut of policy documents and legislation concerned with the formulation, publication, and implementation of guidelines, rules, and specifications associated with the characteristics of products, such as its size, shape, design, functions and performance, or the way they are labelled or packaged before being placed on the market.

Why does it matter ?

International standardisation and their application in technical regulations on products, production processes are critical for trade facilitation on account of their support for safety, quality and compatibility.

Standards allow domestic markets to operate effectively, garner increased competition and facilitate technology transfer. They also play a vital role in the protection of consumers, workers and the environment.

A Standard

A Standard sets out  technical specifications defining requirements for products, production processes, services or test-methods as approved by a recognized national, regional or international standardization body and made available to the public for repeated or continuous application. They are developed by industry and market entities, according to some basic principles such as: consensus, openness, transparency and non-discrimination. Standards ensure interoperability and safety, reduce costs and facilitate business’  integration in the value chain and marketplace. Conformity with standards, which are developed by public or private entities, is voluntary. When a standard is referenced in legislation (as a basis for technical regulation), it becomes mandatory.

Standards support market-based competition and help ensure the interoperability of complementary products and services. They provide the roadmap for enterprises to ensure  compliance with regulatory requirements for protecting animal, human and plant health and the environment.

What are the economic benefits of standards?

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) defines three main types of benefits from using standards as:

• Streamlining internal operations: Standards help to reduce the time needed to perform specific activities in the various business functions, reducing waste and generating efficiencies.
• Innovation and scaling-up of operations: Standards support companies to expand their suppliers’ network and manage new product lines effectively.
• Creating or entering new markets: Standards can be the basis for innovating new products, delving into new markets, facilitating the uptake of new products and even creating markets.

Technical Regulations

Technical regulations are to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) as a document which lays down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions, with which compliance is mandatory. These may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method. Compliance with technical regulations is mandatory.

Why do technical regulations matter ?

Technical regulations provide the means for protecting human, animal and plant health and the environment as a whole, so that they have a direct bearing on all the sectors.

Conformity Assessment

Conformity assessment is to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on TBT, as involving procedures used, directly or indirectly, to determine that relevant requirements under technical regulations are fulfilled. Conformity assessment can be set up as voluntary “self-regulation” or mandatory schemes.

Why does conformity assessment matter ?

Conformity assessment provides a means for ensuring the compliance of products, processes, services, management systems, persons, and organisations with regulatory requirements.

Accreditation

Related to conformity assessment is accreditation, which refers to independent evaluation of testing and calibration laboratories, management systems, inspection bodies and so on, to confirm compliance with internationally recognized standards and requirements for risk reduction purposes.

Why does accreditation matter ?

A precondition for trade on equal terms is the guarantee that any product or service, accepted in one economy, is able flow freely in other economies without the burden of extensive re-testing, re-inspection and re-certification.

The accreditation of conformity assessment bodies supports international trade through the promotion of global acceptance of conformity assessment results – as communicated by accredited CABS. This is further strengthened through peer evaluation and mutual recognition agreements amongst accreditation entities.

Accreditation ensures entities (testing labs, certification bodies, inspection bodies) provide their clients with additional confidence in their competence. Accredited conformity assessment bodies gain a comparative advantage and the recognition of their conformity assessment results improves internationally.

Metrology

Traditionally known as “weights and measures”, is the science of measurement. Together with standardisation, accreditation and conformity assessment, it is one of the essential pillars of national quality infrastructure. Scientific and industrial metrology is crucial for establishing and disseminating measurement units and providing the necessary tools to support the measurements needed by industry. Legal metrology ensures the credibility of measurements and measuring instruments in regulated areas of trade, health, safety and environment. It is vital, not only for consumer protection, but also for protecting export revenues and official measurements.

Why does metrology matter ?

As the science and practice of measurement, metrology has the objective of developing measurements which are (i) stable, (ii) comparable and (iii) coherent. These objective are realised through chains of traceability, based on the work of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs).

Metrology is classified in three main fields:

• Scientific Metrology: Covers general theoretical and practical problems concerning units of measurement
• Industrial Metrology: Measurements in production and quality control (e.g. calibration, management of measurement instruments and control of processes)
• Legal Metrology: Legal & regulatory control. Relating to activities which with result from statutory requirements and concern measurement, units of measurement, measuring instruments and methods of measurement.
Sources

Trade and transport facilitation:

• UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) recommendations
• Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide
• Electronic Invoice
• Sustainable Procurement
• UNECE Transport Protocols and conventions
• IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)
• National Policy Measures to Promote Intermodal Transport
• Making THE (Transport, Health and Environment) Link: The Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP)
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Roads
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Railways

Standards and regulatory cooperation:

• Framework guidelines for energy efficiency standards in buildings
• Promoting sustainable building materials and the implications on the use of wood in buildings: A review of leading public policies in Europe and North America
• UNECE agricultural quality standards
• UNECE recommendations on regulatory cooperation and standardization
• Mapping of Existing Energy Efficiency Standards and Technologies in Buildings in the UNECE Region
• Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Trade Facilitation
• Standardization Policies
• A Standard
• Technical Regulations
• Conformity Assessment
• Accreditation
• Metrology
• Sources

Trade Facilitation

For UNECE and its UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), trade facilitation is “the simplification, standardization and harmonization of procedures and associated information flows required to move goods from seller to buyer and to make payment”. Such a definition implies that not only the physical movement of goods is important in a supply chain, but also the associated information flows. It also encompasses all governmental agencies that intervene in the transit of goods, and the various commercial entities that conduct business and move the goods. This is in line with discussions on trade facilitation currently ongoing at the WTO.

Why Does it Matter?

Public entities will reap immediate gains  in the form  of enhanced trade tax collection, better use of resources and increased trader compliance. A more efficient and transparent delivery of public services will enable the Governments to maintain high security levels and effective control, while diminishing opportunities for corruption.

Traders will benefit from increased predictability and speed of operation and reduced transaction costs.  These benefits carry positive impact on investment and, thereof,  structural transformation and job creation

What does it involve ?

1. Transparency within government promotes openness and accountability of a government’s and administration’s actions. It entails disclosure of information in a way that the public can readily access and use it.
 
2. Simplification is the process of eliminating all unnecessary elements and duplications in trade formalities, processes and procedures. It should be based on an analysis of the current, “As-Is”, situation.
 
3. Harmonization is the alignment of national procedures, operations and documents with international conventions, standards and practices. It can come from adopting and implementing the same standards as partner countries, either as part of a regional integration process or as a result of business decisions.
 
4. Standardizationi s the process of developing formats for practices and procedures, documents and information internationally agreed by various parties.
Standardization Policies

Standardization policy promotes standards as a means for better regulation of production activities. Standardisation policies involve the entire gamut of policy documents and legislation concerned with the formulation, publication, and implementation of guidelines, rules, and specifications associated with the characteristics of products, such as its size, shape, design, functions and performance, or the way they are labelled or packaged before being placed on the market.

Why does it matter ?

International standardisation and their application in technical regulations on products, production processes are critical for trade facilitation on account of their support for safety, quality and compatibility.

Standards allow domestic markets to operate effectively, garner increased competition and facilitate technology transfer. They also play a vital role in the protection of consumers, workers and the environment.

A Standard

A Standard sets out  technical specifications defining requirements for products, production processes, services or test-methods as approved by a recognized national, regional or international standardization body and made available to the public for repeated or continuous application. They are developed by industry and market entities, according to some basic principles such as: consensus, openness, transparency and non-discrimination. Standards ensure interoperability and safety, reduce costs and facilitate business’  integration in the value chain and marketplace. Conformity with standards, which are developed by public or private entities, is voluntary. When a standard is referenced in legislation (as a basis for technical regulation), it becomes mandatory.

Standards support market-based competition and help ensure the interoperability of complementary products and services. They provide the roadmap for enterprises to ensure  compliance with regulatory requirements for protecting animal, human and plant health and the environment.

What are the economic benefits of standards?

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) defines three main types of benefits from using standards as:

• Streamlining internal operations: Standards help to reduce the time needed to perform specific activities in the various business functions, reducing waste and generating efficiencies.
• Innovation and scaling-up of operations: Standards support companies to expand their suppliers’ network and manage new product lines effectively.
• Creating or entering new markets: Standards can be the basis for innovating new products, delving into new markets, facilitating the uptake of new products and even creating markets.

Technical Regulations

Technical regulations are to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) as a document which lays down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions, with which compliance is mandatory. These may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method. Compliance with technical regulations is mandatory.

Why do technical regulations matter ?

Technical regulations provide the means for protecting human, animal and plant health and the environment as a whole, so that they have a direct bearing on all the sectors.

Conformity Assessment

Conformity assessment is to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on TBT, as involving procedures used, directly or indirectly, to determine that relevant requirements under technical regulations are fulfilled. Conformity assessment can be set up as voluntary “self-regulation” or mandatory schemes.

Why does conformity assessment matter ?

Conformity assessment provides a means for ensuring the compliance of products, processes, services, management systems, persons, and organisations with regulatory requirements.

Accreditation

Related to conformity assessment is accreditation, which refers to independent evaluation of testing and calibration laboratories, management systems, inspection bodies and so on, to confirm compliance with internationally recognized standards and requirements for risk reduction purposes.

Why does accreditation matter ?

A precondition for trade on equal terms is the guarantee that any product or service, accepted in one economy, is able flow freely in other economies without the burden of extensive re-testing, re-inspection and re-certification.

The accreditation of conformity assessment bodies supports international trade through the promotion of global acceptance of conformity assessment results – as communicated by accredited CABS. This is further strengthened through peer evaluation and mutual recognition agreements amongst accreditation entities.

Accreditation ensures entities (testing labs, certification bodies, inspection bodies) provide their clients with additional confidence in their competence. Accredited conformity assessment bodies gain a comparative advantage and the recognition of their conformity assessment results improves internationally.

Metrology

Traditionally known as “weights and measures”, is the science of measurement. Together with standardisation, accreditation and conformity assessment, it is one of the essential pillars of national quality infrastructure. Scientific and industrial metrology is crucial for establishing and disseminating measurement units and providing the necessary tools to support the measurements needed by industry. Legal metrology ensures the credibility of measurements and measuring instruments in regulated areas of trade, health, safety and environment. It is vital, not only for consumer protection, but also for protecting export revenues and official measurements.

Why does metrology matter ?

As the science and practice of measurement, metrology has the objective of developing measurements which are (i) stable, (ii) comparable and (iii) coherent. These objective are realised through chains of traceability, based on the work of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs).

Metrology is classified in three main fields:

• Scientific Metrology: Covers general theoretical and practical problems concerning units of measurement
• Industrial Metrology: Measurements in production and quality control (e.g. calibration, management of measurement instruments and control of processes)
• Legal Metrology: Legal & regulatory control. Relating to activities which with result from statutory requirements and concern measurement, units of measurement, measuring instruments and methods of measurement.
Sources

Trade and transport facilitation:

• UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) recommendations
• Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide
• Electronic Invoice
• Sustainable Procurement
• UNECE Transport Protocols and conventions
• IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)
• National Policy Measures to Promote Intermodal Transport
• Making THE (Transport, Health and Environment) Link: The Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP)
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Roads
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Railways

Standards and regulatory cooperation:

• Framework guidelines for energy efficiency standards in buildings
• Promoting sustainable building materials and the implications on the use of wood in buildings: A review of leading public policies in Europe and North America
• UNECE agricultural quality standards
• UNECE recommendations on regulatory cooperation and standardization
• Mapping of Existing Energy Efficiency Standards and Technologies in Buildings in the UNECE Region
• Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Trade Facilitation
• Standardization Policies
• A Standard
• Technical Regulations
• Conformity Assessment
• Accreditation
• Metrology
• Sources

Trade Facilitation

For UNECE and its UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), trade facilitation is “the simplification, standardization and harmonization of procedures and associated information flows required to move goods from seller to buyer and to make payment”. Such a definition implies that not only the physical movement of goods is important in a supply chain, but also the associated information flows. It also encompasses all governmental agencies that intervene in the transit of goods, and the various commercial entities that conduct business and move the goods. This is in line with discussions on trade facilitation currently ongoing at the WTO.

Why Does it Matter?

Public entities will reap immediate gains  in the form  of enhanced trade tax collection, better use of resources and increased trader compliance. A more efficient and transparent delivery of public services will enable the Governments to maintain high security levels and effective control, while diminishing opportunities for corruption.

Traders will benefit from increased predictability and speed of operation and reduced transaction costs.  These benefits carry positive impact on investment and, thereof,  structural transformation and job creation

What does it involve ?

1. Transparency within government promotes openness and accountability of a government’s and administration’s actions. It entails disclosure of information in a way that the public can readily access and use it.
 
2. Simplification is the process of eliminating all unnecessary elements and duplications in trade formalities, processes and procedures. It should be based on an analysis of the current, “As-Is”, situation.
 
3. Harmonization is the alignment of national procedures, operations and documents with international conventions, standards and practices. It can come from adopting and implementing the same standards as partner countries, either as part of a regional integration process or as a result of business decisions.
 
4. Standardizationi s the process of developing formats for practices and procedures, documents and information internationally agreed by various parties.
Standardization Policies

Standardization policy promotes standards as a means for better regulation of production activities. Standardisation policies involve the entire gamut of policy documents and legislation concerned with the formulation, publication, and implementation of guidelines, rules, and specifications associated with the characteristics of products, such as its size, shape, design, functions and performance, or the way they are labelled or packaged before being placed on the market.

Why does it matter ?

International standardisation and their application in technical regulations on products, production processes are critical for trade facilitation on account of their support for safety, quality and compatibility.

Standards allow domestic markets to operate effectively, garner increased competition and facilitate technology transfer. They also play a vital role in the protection of consumers, workers and the environment.

A Standard

A Standard sets out  technical specifications defining requirements for products, production processes, services or test-methods as approved by a recognized national, regional or international standardization body and made available to the public for repeated or continuous application. They are developed by industry and market entities, according to some basic principles such as: consensus, openness, transparency and non-discrimination. Standards ensure interoperability and safety, reduce costs and facilitate business’  integration in the value chain and marketplace. Conformity with standards, which are developed by public or private entities, is voluntary. When a standard is referenced in legislation (as a basis for technical regulation), it becomes mandatory.

Standards support market-based competition and help ensure the interoperability of complementary products and services. They provide the roadmap for enterprises to ensure  compliance with regulatory requirements for protecting animal, human and plant health and the environment.

What are the economic benefits of standards?

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) defines three main types of benefits from using standards as:

• Streamlining internal operations: Standards help to reduce the time needed to perform specific activities in the various business functions, reducing waste and generating efficiencies.
• Innovation and scaling-up of operations: Standards support companies to expand their suppliers’ network and manage new product lines effectively.
• Creating or entering new markets: Standards can be the basis for innovating new products, delving into new markets, facilitating the uptake of new products and even creating markets.

Technical Regulations

Technical regulations are to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) as a document which lays down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions, with which compliance is mandatory. These may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method. Compliance with technical regulations is mandatory.

Why do technical regulations matter ?

Technical regulations provide the means for protecting human, animal and plant health and the environment as a whole, so that they have a direct bearing on all the sectors.

Conformity Assessment

Conformity assessment is to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on TBT, as involving procedures used, directly or indirectly, to determine that relevant requirements under technical regulations are fulfilled. Conformity assessment can be set up as voluntary “self-regulation” or mandatory schemes.

Why does conformity assessment matter ?

Conformity assessment provides a means for ensuring the compliance of products, processes, services, management systems, persons, and organisations with regulatory requirements.

Accreditation

Related to conformity assessment is accreditation, which refers to independent evaluation of testing and calibration laboratories, management systems, inspection bodies and so on, to confirm compliance with internationally recognized standards and requirements for risk reduction purposes.

Why does accreditation matter ?

A precondition for trade on equal terms is the guarantee that any product or service, accepted in one economy, is able flow freely in other economies without the burden of extensive re-testing, re-inspection and re-certification.

The accreditation of conformity assessment bodies supports international trade through the promotion of global acceptance of conformity assessment results – as communicated by accredited CABS. This is further strengthened through peer evaluation and mutual recognition agreements amongst accreditation entities.

Accreditation ensures entities (testing labs, certification bodies, inspection bodies) provide their clients with additional confidence in their competence. Accredited conformity assessment bodies gain a comparative advantage and the recognition of their conformity assessment results improves internationally.

Metrology

Traditionally known as “weights and measures”, is the science of measurement. Together with standardisation, accreditation and conformity assessment, it is one of the essential pillars of national quality infrastructure. Scientific and industrial metrology is crucial for establishing and disseminating measurement units and providing the necessary tools to support the measurements needed by industry. Legal metrology ensures the credibility of measurements and measuring instruments in regulated areas of trade, health, safety and environment. It is vital, not only for consumer protection, but also for protecting export revenues and official measurements.

Why does metrology matter ?

As the science and practice of measurement, metrology has the objective of developing measurements which are (i) stable, (ii) comparable and (iii) coherent. These objective are realised through chains of traceability, based on the work of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs).

Metrology is classified in three main fields:

• Scientific Metrology: Covers general theoretical and practical problems concerning units of measurement
• Industrial Metrology: Measurements in production and quality control (e.g. calibration, management of measurement instruments and control of processes)
• Legal Metrology: Legal & regulatory control. Relating to activities which with result from statutory requirements and concern measurement, units of measurement, measuring instruments and methods of measurement.
Sources

Trade and transport facilitation:

• UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) recommendations
• Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide
• Electronic Invoice
• Sustainable Procurement
• UNECE Transport Protocols and conventions
• IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)
• National Policy Measures to Promote Intermodal Transport
• Making THE (Transport, Health and Environment) Link: The Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP)
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Roads
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Railways

Standards and regulatory cooperation:

• Framework guidelines for energy efficiency standards in buildings
• Promoting sustainable building materials and the implications on the use of wood in buildings: A review of leading public policies in Europe and North America
• UNECE agricultural quality standards
• UNECE recommendations on regulatory cooperation and standardization
• Mapping of Existing Energy Efficiency Standards and Technologies in Buildings in the UNECE Region
• Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Trade Facilitation
• Standardization Policies
• A Standard
• Technical Regulations
• Conformity Assessment
• Accreditation
• Metrology
• Sources

Trade Facilitation

For UNECE and its UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), trade facilitation is “the simplification, standardization and harmonization of procedures and associated information flows required to move goods from seller to buyer and to make payment”. Such a definition implies that not only the physical movement of goods is important in a supply chain, but also the associated information flows. It also encompasses all governmental agencies that intervene in the transit of goods, and the various commercial entities that conduct business and move the goods. This is in line with discussions on trade facilitation currently ongoing at the WTO.

Why Does it Matter?

Public entities will reap immediate gains  in the form  of enhanced trade tax collection, better use of resources and increased trader compliance. A more efficient and transparent delivery of public services will enable the Governments to maintain high security levels and effective control, while diminishing opportunities for corruption.

Traders will benefit from increased predictability and speed of operation and reduced transaction costs.  These benefits carry positive impact on investment and, thereof,  structural transformation and job creation

What does it involve ?

1. Transparency within government promotes openness and accountability of a government’s and administration’s actions. It entails disclosure of information in a way that the public can readily access and use it.
 
2. Simplification is the process of eliminating all unnecessary elements and duplications in trade formalities, processes and procedures. It should be based on an analysis of the current, “As-Is”, situation.
 
3. Harmonization is the alignment of national procedures, operations and documents with international conventions, standards and practices. It can come from adopting and implementing the same standards as partner countries, either as part of a regional integration process or as a result of business decisions.
 
4. Standardizationi s the process of developing formats for practices and procedures, documents and information internationally agreed by various parties.
Standardization Policies

Standardization policy promotes standards as a means for better regulation of production activities. Standardisation policies involve the entire gamut of policy documents and legislation concerned with the formulation, publication, and implementation of guidelines, rules, and specifications associated with the characteristics of products, such as its size, shape, design, functions and performance, or the way they are labelled or packaged before being placed on the market.

Why does it matter ?

International standardisation and their application in technical regulations on products, production processes are critical for trade facilitation on account of their support for safety, quality and compatibility.

Standards allow domestic markets to operate effectively, garner increased competition and facilitate technology transfer. They also play a vital role in the protection of consumers, workers and the environment.

A Standard

A Standard sets out  technical specifications defining requirements for products, production processes, services or test-methods as approved by a recognized national, regional or international standardization body and made available to the public for repeated or continuous application. They are developed by industry and market entities, according to some basic principles such as: consensus, openness, transparency and non-discrimination. Standards ensure interoperability and safety, reduce costs and facilitate business’  integration in the value chain and marketplace. Conformity with standards, which are developed by public or private entities, is voluntary. When a standard is referenced in legislation (as a basis for technical regulation), it becomes mandatory.

Standards support market-based competition and help ensure the interoperability of complementary products and services. They provide the roadmap for enterprises to ensure  compliance with regulatory requirements for protecting animal, human and plant health and the environment.

What are the economic benefits of standards?

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) defines three main types of benefits from using standards as:

• Streamlining internal operations: Standards help to reduce the time needed to perform specific activities in the various business functions, reducing waste and generating efficiencies.
• Innovation and scaling-up of operations: Standards support companies to expand their suppliers’ network and manage new product lines effectively.
• Creating or entering new markets: Standards can be the basis for innovating new products, delving into new markets, facilitating the uptake of new products and even creating markets.

Technical Regulations

Technical regulations are to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) as a document which lays down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions, with which compliance is mandatory. These may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method. Compliance with technical regulations is mandatory.

Why do technical regulations matter ?

Technical regulations provide the means for protecting human, animal and plant health and the environment as a whole, so that they have a direct bearing on all the sectors.

Conformity Assessment

Conformity assessment is to be understood pursuant to the Agreement on TBT, as involving procedures used, directly or indirectly, to determine that relevant requirements under technical regulations are fulfilled. Conformity assessment can be set up as voluntary “self-regulation” or mandatory schemes.

Why does conformity assessment matter ?

Conformity assessment provides a means for ensuring the compliance of products, processes, services, management systems, persons, and organisations with regulatory requirements.

Accreditation

Related to conformity assessment is accreditation, which refers to independent evaluation of testing and calibration laboratories, management systems, inspection bodies and so on, to confirm compliance with internationally recognized standards and requirements for risk reduction purposes.

Why does accreditation matter ?

A precondition for trade on equal terms is the guarantee that any product or service, accepted in one economy, is able flow freely in other economies without the burden of extensive re-testing, re-inspection and re-certification.

The accreditation of conformity assessment bodies supports international trade through the promotion of global acceptance of conformity assessment results – as communicated by accredited CABS. This is further strengthened through peer evaluation and mutual recognition agreements amongst accreditation entities.

Accreditation ensures entities (testing labs, certification bodies, inspection bodies) provide their clients with additional confidence in their competence. Accredited conformity assessment bodies gain a comparative advantage and the recognition of their conformity assessment results improves internationally.

Metrology

Traditionally known as “weights and measures”, is the science of measurement. Together with standardisation, accreditation and conformity assessment, it is one of the essential pillars of national quality infrastructure. Scientific and industrial metrology is crucial for establishing and disseminating measurement units and providing the necessary tools to support the measurements needed by industry. Legal metrology ensures the credibility of measurements and measuring instruments in regulated areas of trade, health, safety and environment. It is vital, not only for consumer protection, but also for protecting export revenues and official measurements.

Why does metrology matter ?

As the science and practice of measurement, metrology has the objective of developing measurements which are (i) stable, (ii) comparable and (iii) coherent. These objective are realised through chains of traceability, based on the work of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs).

Metrology is classified in three main fields:

• Scientific Metrology: Covers general theoretical and practical problems concerning units of measurement
• Industrial Metrology: Measurements in production and quality control (e.g. calibration, management of measurement instruments and control of processes)
• Legal Metrology: Legal & regulatory control. Relating to activities which with result from statutory requirements and concern measurement, units of measurement, measuring instruments and methods of measurement.
Sources

Trade and transport facilitation:

• UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) recommendations
• Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide
• Electronic Invoice
• Sustainable Procurement
• UNECE Transport Protocols and conventions
• IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)
• National Policy Measures to Promote Intermodal Transport
• Making THE (Transport, Health and Environment) Link: The Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP)
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Roads
• Standard on Public-Private Partnerships in Railways

Standards and regulatory cooperation:

• Framework guidelines for energy efficiency standards in buildings
• Promoting sustainable building materials and the implications on the use of wood in buildings: A review of leading public policies in Europe and North America
• UNECE agricultural quality standards
• UNECE recommendations on regulatory cooperation and standardization
• Mapping of Existing Energy Efficiency Standards and Technologies in Buildings in the UNECE Region
• Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction