Kaki

“SME’s”SME sReaping the Benefits

b Ad i dby Adopting and Utilizing InternationalUtilizing International

StandardsEd Nemeroff

Senior Technical AdvisorOctober 14, 2018

1a

LoweringConsumer ConformityT d Production

Cost ConfidenceTrade

Facilitation What do all of these have in 

Constructionof Buildings Product

common?

of Buildings, Roads,

Bridges, etc.

Product Certification

?

A hi i Food Safety

Improve product Quality

AchievingEconomic Growth

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Quality

What is a Standard?In simple terms, a standard is an agreed way of doing 

something. It could be about producing  a product, managing a process, delivering a service or supplying materials. p g pp y g

Standards can cover a huge range of activitiesStandards can cover a huge range of activities undertaken by organizations and used by their 

customers.

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A Standard is a document that provides for *Official International

Definition of a A Standard is a document that provides, for common and repeated use, rules,

guidelines or characteristics for products or

Definition of a Standard

g prelated processes and production methods

Approved by a recognized BodyApproved by a recognized BodyApproved by a recognized BodyApproved by a recognized Body

Compliance is voluntary*Compliance is voluntary*

*as defined by the WTO/ASEAN

International Standards helpInternational Standards help businesses of any size and sector:

.

F SME’ d d h l hi

To reduce costs, increase productivity and access new markets

For SME’s, standards can help to achieve the above and a lot more:

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Standards1. Help you improve the quality of 

d d iyour goods and services.2. Help you drive growth, cut costs 

and increase profits.3. Give your business a competitive 

edge.4. Open export markets.4. Open export markets. 5. Open doors to new customers and 

strengthen your existing business6

strengthen your existing business. 

Standards6.  Help you compete with larger      

ienterprises.7. Enhance your credibility and 

secure customer confidence. 8. Sharpen your business processes 

and increase efficiency. 9. Strengthen your marketing image.9. Strengthen your marketing image. 10. help you comply with regulatory 

requirements7

requirements .

Estimates by the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) and the US Department of Commerce both show that standards and related conformity assessment 

d h i 80 % f h ld’ d

In expanding trade, the link between standards, 

procedures have an impact on 80 % of the world’s trade. 

access to foreign markets is at the forefront of trade policy. 

This is particularly important here in Myanmar.

Standards will play a major role in the Country's     National Export Strategy !

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National Export Strategy !  

International Standards helpMake products compatible, so they fit and work well 

with each other;with each other;

Ensure that products and services are safe, reliable and of good qualityof good quality. 

Virtually every product service and systemVirtually every product, service and systemthat we use has a standard at its core.

Standards make things work!

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Simply, standards make everyday life work.

Everything from tech gadgets and the products we rely on in our offices andEverything from tech gadgets and the products we rely on in our offices and homes, to services that fuel the global economy and ensure health and 

safety, relies upon standards and conformance to ensure dependability, and i bili

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interoperability. 

Standards let you save up to 4.5 % in production costs. 

They help you better manage the quality of products and services throughout your organization and improveand services throughout your organization and improve 

design, engineering, production, installation and certification.

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Do you want to produce quality products at a competitive price?

When you develop products and services based on international standards, you improve the cost‐efficiency 

f l h i d d h dof your supply chain and reduce overhead costs. 

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Since standardized products are easier and faster to produce, your inventory can be minimized, thus 

conserving cash.

if you manufacture standardized products, your market ill b biwill be bigger.

Your production will be streamlinedYour production will be streamlined.

you will reduce your inventory and improve qualityyou will reduce your inventory and improve quality control and certification.

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International trade has never been greater, and globalization and increased competition is a fact of 

todays business and economy. 

By using international standards as a reference tool, you ill b bl h li f d dwill be able to manage the quality of your products and 

cut down barriers to trade.

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The Ability to conform to internationalstandards is a vital key to successstandards is a vital key to successfor producers in Myanmar aiming to participate in the global market andparticipate in the global market and maintain a competitive edge in your 

domestic market.

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For your customers• When products and services conform to International 

Standards your customers will have confidence that they f li bl d f d litare safe, reliable and of good quality. 

• For example, ISO's standards on road safety, toy safety and secure medical packaging are just a selection of thoseand secure medical packaging are just a selection of those that help make the world a safer place.

• International Standards on air water and soil quality on• International Standards on air, water and soil quality, on emissions of gases and radiation and environmental aspects of products contribute to efforts to preserve the environment and the health of citizens. 

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More about Standards and your Customers Integrating the view of your customers is important instandards development because it offers a real‐life

ti h l i t th t i h f t dperspective, helping to ensure that issues such as safety andquality are adequately addressed.In addition it helps to ensure that products and servicesIn addition, it helps to ensure that products and servicesperform as expected and improves:

• quality and reliability• consistency in the delivery of services

t i d ti i f ti• transparency in production information• suitability of products for vulnerable populations• credibility of standards to support consumer protection

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credibility of standards to support consumer protection laws

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Principal International Standards Organizations

/www.iso.org

www.iec.ch

www.itu.int

ASTM www.astm.orgASTMInternational

C d li iCodex 

WWW. Codex Alimentarius @FAOWHOCodex

Alimentarius

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Summarizing the Benefits of Using i l d d

Using standards can offer a set of powerful International Standards 

business and marketing tools for organizations of all sizes. 

You can use them to fine‐tune your performance and manage the risks you face while operating in more efficient and sustainable ways; they’ll allow you to demonstrate the quality of what you do to your customers; and they help you to see how to 

embed best practice into your organization.

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Today we celebrate World Standards DayToday we celebrate World Standards Day and to pay tribute to the thousands of volunteers around the world whovolunteers around the world who 

participate in standardization activities d h h d l d h d dand  who have developed these standards to help assure quality, safety and good governance on an international scale.

To all of them and youWell done and thank you

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Recommended ReadingRecommended Reading

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Questions?Questions?

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You want to sell your products beyond Myanmar and you really don’t want to invest time and money in 

researching country specific requirements.

Actually, would you prefer, if you could build your d i h ld li i ifiproducts in a way that would eliminate country specific 

requirements  altogether. 

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