Transatlantic Conference stresses importance of standards.

Press Release Summary:



DIN, the German national standards body to ISO, has released final report from its Fifth Transatlantic Market Conference: Transatlantic Cooperation for Growth and Security. Conference focused on development of new technologies and services, as well as new forms of international cooperation necessitated by increasingly complex security requirements. According to Art Cote, ANSI board chairman, effective utilization of standards and conformance promotes global competitiveness of all businesses.



Original Press Release:



Transatlantic Market Conference Report Underscores Importance of Standards to Trade and Innovation



DIN, the German national standards body to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), has released the final report from its Fifth Transatlantic Market Conference: Transatlantic Cooperation for Growth and Security, held on October 16-18 in Washington, DC. Aimed at forging long-term cooperation and strengthened relations between the transatlantic economies, the event was organized in partnership with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the German American Chamber of Commerce, and the Dräger Foundation.

The conference focused on the development of new technologies and services, as well as new forms of international cooperation necessitated by increasingly complex security requirements. The protection of critical technology and infrastructures - including information technology and corporate security, cybersecurity, intellectual property, as well as supply chain and civil security - formed the heart of the conference's discussions.

"Today we are facing some serious challenges, and some exciting opportunities," said Art Cote, ANSI chairman of the board, in his remarks. "To my eyes, it is clear that the transatlantic trade partnership is more important now than ever as we seek out standards-based solutions. Effective utilization of standards and conformance promotes the global competitiveness of all businesses. And greater transatlantic cooperation and information sharing will improve the bottom line - clearly a top priority in today's economic landscape."

"Standards are of considerable economic importance," agreed Dr. Torsten Bahke, director of DIN. "They reduce transaction costs, affect the path of technological development, and boost economic growth."

According to Dr. Bahke, a framework of harmonized regulation is a prerequisite for assertive international standards, and transatlantic economies should give particular focus to harmonized regulations in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energies, green technologies, and electro-mobility/electric vehicles.

Participants also considered two panel discussions focused on New Technologies and the "Privacy versus Security" Debate and New Strategies against Cyber Attacks and Room for Transatlantic Cooperation. Breakout sessions provided attendees the opportunity to delve deeper into discussions on IT and corporate security; supply chain security; intellectual property rights; and recent trends in copyright, trademark, and patent law.

"Germany and the U.S. represent two of the world's strongest and most resilient markets," commented David Kappos, under secretary of commerce for intellectual property in the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in his keynote address. "While we all work to improve the economic outlook in our individual countries, we must remain grounded on realizing the central truth: that technology and innovation will write the next chapter of global growth and progress for both of our countries."

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