Seminar on 'International Standardisation practices'

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce with the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) organised a seminar to promote International Standardisation Practices among local firms, covering the public and the private sector.

This program was funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the Swedish Standards Institute (SIS) managed South and South East Asia regions (SESA) program.

Approximately, 200 people representing local industries, Government agencies, universities and NGOs were present. SLSI, Director General Dr. L. N. Senaweera said that standardisation impacts today's global trade.

A former Director General of SLSI and an International Consultant B.S.P. Mendis said it was important to adopt the international standardisation process. By adhering international standards and quality systems and processes, an organisation can become competitive and produce competitive products and services.

The importance of private sector involvement (which has the technical expertise) in the development of international standards, to accommodate the national interest was also discussed.

The SESA aims at building institutional capacity that ensures a broader stakeholder commitment towards international standardisation.