National, Regional and International Standards: An ISO 14000 Case Study, 1995 Process & Product Quality Conference Proceedings

Gordon E. Bellen

NSF International

The business of writing standards is changing dramatically. The process needs to be faster to meet industry needs for rapid product development in an increasingly competitive marketplace. There is also a need to develop international standards to replace national standards to help facilitate free trade. It is no surprise then that a new motto in standards has evolved, “do it once, do it right, do it internationally.” There are many cases where this approach works. These are areas of narrowly focused technical product standards. For example, film for cameras can be purchased anywhere in the world and be used whether the camera is German, Japanese or American. Contrast that with the contusion in the marketplace years ago created by the different video standards BETA and VHS. Clearly one standard is better. There is no doubt that for trade to be really free, different national or regional (e.g. European) standards must be avoided. Yet that is not always possible. Different national laws, codes and cultures often lead to different national requirements. Consequently, the goal of one international standard is not always achieved. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), recently began work on a series of standards to be used as tools for organizations to help them implement an environmental management system (ISO 14000 series). They are being developed as international standards without the prior experience of development and implementation at the national level. These standards are not narrowly focused technical specifications, rather they are general guidelines which border on being environmental policy. As such, there are few absolute criteria. Most requirements are based on judgements which are highly influenced by national and regional differences in affluence, laws, and culture. These standards will provide a good case study for going international first. This paper discusses some of the issues which may influence the successful adoption of one international standard and also influence its successful implementation.