Every year on 14th October, the World Standards Day is observed. This day aims to raise awareness about the need for the global standardization of products and its importance to the world economy.
World Standards Day works as a means of paying tribute to the collaborative efforts of thousands of experts worldwide who develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as international standards.
This day is celebrated by the members of the International Electrotechnical Commission (I.E.C.), the International Telecommunication Union (I.T.U.), and the International Standards Organization (I.S.O.).
| Event | World Standards Day |
|---|---|
| Date | October 14, 2022 |
| Day | Friday |
| Significance | The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about the importance of global product standardization to the global economy. |
| Observed by | World wide |
World Standards Day History:
The onset of the Industrial Revolution pushed the necessity and implementation of standards all over the world for better functioning. One early innovation requiring standardization involved the screw-cutting lathe. This invention revolutionized the industry that time and it also prompted one of the first standardizations which was the screw thread sizes. Through standardization it very much helped consumers all over the world.
However, the harnessing of electricity made standardization quite complicated. Countries around the world developed their own standards for voltage, currency, and frequency. Lack of efficiency prompted the international standard for electrical engineering. But it wasn't just electricity which created challenges for achieving the standardization of all the globe as different countries used many different systems for many various things hence it was very necessary to create some body to look into that matter.
The history of World Standards Day dates back to a 1946 meeting in London during this meeting 25 delegates from different countries met to discuss creating an international organization focused on fostering world standardization which resulted in the creation of the International Organization for Standardization(I.S.O.) in 1947 saddled with the regulatory and facilitating responsibility of standardization throughout the world.
After 40 years of developing technical standards for products and technologies, I.S.O. transitioned to process standards during the 1980s, the first of which become known as the I.S.O. 9000 Quality Management system standards. However the I.S.O was formed in 1947 but it wasn't until the 1970 that World Standards Day was celebrated and since then it is celebrated annually.
World Standards Day Significance:
On October 14 each year on the occasion of World Standards Day, the members of the I.E.C., I.S.O., I.T.U. and other international standardization organizations, and people all around the world celebrate the collaborative efforts of experts, volunteers, and indeed all who engage in standardization activities worldwide, drawing people’s attention to the importance of written standards on the global economy.
As the world continues to experience rapid globalization, where markets in different corners of our world are increasingly becoming open, national boundaries are disappearing and our world is already very inter-connected than ever before but during all of these new challenges are also emerging, a technical standard applicable to all nations and people has become necessity for our world so that it can continue functioning smoothly and perform even much better in future.
In the U.S., World Standards Day is celebrated by the standardization community in the capital city of Washington, D.C., where an exhibition event is held, with a reception and a dinner gala. In other parts of the world, events are also held in respect of World Standards Day, including educational seminars and conferences and the usual World Standard Cooperation contest which is held annually to celebrate the day.
According to I.S.O., which merely acts as a conductor in an orchestra consisting of delegates from its member states, the process of adopting a proposal as part of the International standard begins from the development of a draft that meets a certain market need in a specific area. Once developed, members deliberate and then cast votes on the proposal. This process could take up to about three years.
World Standards Day Theme:
The theme for World Standards Day 2022 is "Shared vision for a better world."
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set up by the UN, which project to address social imbalances, develop a sustainable economy, and slow the rate of climate change, are highly ambitious. To reach them will require the cooperation of many public and private partners, and the use of all available tools, including international standards and conformity assessment.
The intense battle against a persistent global pandemic revealed the absolute necessity of addressing the SDGs in an inclusive way. The entire standards system is built on collaboration. It is testament to the power of cooperation and the belief that we are stronger than the sum of our parts. By working together, we are empowering people with real-world solutions to face sustainability challenges head-on.
Most Searched FAQs on World Standards Day:
1. When is World Standards Day observed?
World Standards Day is annually observed on 14th October.
2. What is the purpose of international standards?
The criteria it proposes ensure that materials, products, processes, services, systems, or persons are fit for their intended purpose.
3. How many international standards are there?
I.S.O. has published more than 22,700 standards for businesses.