International Standards bring technological, economic and societal benefits. They help to harmonize technical specifications of products and services making industry more efficient and breaking down barriers to international trade.

For developing countries, International Standards are an important source of technological know-how. Developing countries can use International Standards to access knowledge in areas where they may lack expertise and/or resources.

In addition, International Standards can improve access to global markets. As they define the characteristics that products and services have to meet on export markets, International Standards help developing countries take part fairly in international trade.

Getting involved in standard development

Developing countries can also benefit from actively taking part in the development of International Standards. Standards are developed in an open process and reflect the views of many stakeholders including technical experts, government representatives, academics and consumers. Being actively involved in this process brings widespread benefits, including:

• influencing the technical content of standards to make sure they reflect specific needs
• gaining hands on experience in standardization work that can help build up national infrastructures, and
• giving early access to information and technological knowledge

Playing an active role in the ISO community, promoting the national use of International Standards and taking part in their development, helps developing countries realise their full potential.

Award for young standardizers in developing countries

ISO also organises an award for young standardizers in developing countries. The purpose of the contest, sponsored by DIN, the German Institute for Standardization, is to encourage young professionals in developing countries to engage in international standardization and to raise awareness of the importance of standards in promoting safe and sustainable economic development.

For the 2012 edition, participants are asked to write an essay about how ISO International Standards help industry respond to local and global market demands. The winner is invited to Berlin, Germany, for one week, all expenses paid, to be trained and exposed to a wide range of standards-related management activities carried out by DIN. The winner will also have the opportunity to visit the ISO Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.

Read more about the award in the award brochure.
Read the press release about 2012's award winner, Mr. Amwayi Omukhweso William, from Kenya.