DoC requests input on standardization activities in MENA.
Press Release Summary:
Department of Commerce has issued request for input on standards and conformity assessment activities that U.S. companies are undertaking in Middle East and North Africa. This information will be used by DoC to develop future standardization-related programs in MENA region. Specific information being requested includes technical regulations, voluntary standards and standards development, conformity assessment, and key areas of standardization for new/emerging technologies.
Original Press Release:
DoC Requests Input on Standardization Activities in the Middle East and North Africa
The Department of Commerce (DoC) has issued a request for input on standards and conformity assessment activities that U.S. companies are currently undertaking in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This information will be used by the DoC to develop future standardization-related programs in the MENA region.
Specific information being requested includes:
Technical Regulations: What kinds of mandatory technical regulations do U.S. companies face when doing business in the Middle East and North Africa? Have they been developed in an open and transparent process that includes industry input? Are they in line with relevant international standards?
Standards: Which regional voluntary standards must U.S. companies meet in the MENA region? Were U.S. companies and interests party to the standards development process?
Conformity Assessment: What kinds of conformity assessment programs are in place in the MENA region? The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) intends to develop a regional conformity assessment scheme to replace individual country programs. Are there any comments from U.S. industry on the direction of this proposed program?
Key areas of standardization for new/emerging technologies: Is there interest in growth sectors (such as green buildings) or other upcoming technologies where there is the possibility for cooperation between the U.S. and the MENA region?
Please note that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)'s International Policy staff collects information on standards and conformance issues on a continuous basis from all stakeholders regarding all geographical regions to ensure that such issues are addressed in the various ongoing international, regional and bilateral standards and conformance fora.
To ensure coordination on these issues, ANSI encourages stakeholders that are involved in the MENA region to copy Bridgette Dziedzic (bdziedzic@ansi.org) on any submissions made directly to DoC (Tyler Hoffman; tyler.hoffman@mail.doc.gov), and/or to submit your input to Ms. Dziedzic only by Thursday, November 6, 2008. ANSI will then submit a comprehensive report of member input to the DoC.
